Mobility

Many students or clients come to yoga with several injuries in their bodies or with very short range of mobility.​..
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A permanent practice of yoga will develop and increase the mobility, flexibility and strength. The changes might take time but with discipline and constant effort, they are possible.  

When there are injuries one of the most important aspects to heal is either rest, decrease inflamation and start with slow movements to build the connective tissue. When there is no injury but less mobility then there are many things to do in order to help to increase it.

We have to understand that mobility is different from flexibility, they depend on each other but they are not the same. Remember that yoga is not about flexibility. 

Flexibility refers to the ability to stretch the muscles (soft tissue) and mobility includes  the joints, the connective tissue and control. Yoga is much more than flexibility, mobility and strenght but they are part of the whole process of transformation. 

In this article, I want to share something great for the mobility of your feet. In my case they always help to keep my feet strong, my ankles and toes and also to connect the movement with the brain. 

Our feet are key to mantain us grounded, stable and balanced physically, mentally and emotionally.

How important are those elements in life right now, don't you think?  

Feet are so important in yoga practice and in life but sometimes we don’t give relevance to take care of them or to pay attention to them while we are practicing or even walking.

Feet are the foundation for the body while standing and help to have stronger ankles, legs, knees and pelvis. They are the key for standing poses which give us support and stability. 
Understanding the mechanics and movement of feet is quite interesting and useful to get established into yoga. * It helps to stand strong inside the matt but also outside the matt in real life. 

Most people use shoes and socks all day ( yogis not much). Their feet are squeezed and enclosed for many hours blocking circulation and free breathing. I remember using high hills every day... they look nice but they were not very healthy. The best medicines for feet are movement, breathing free, rest and raising them up. 

Standing poses helps to develop stronger feet and ankles and they help to make the connection between the brain and the feet. This is very important in yoga. More in the Ashtanga Yoga method which is all about the connection between movement, brain and the nervous system. 

Here you will find three casual videos that will help you to to work in the isloation of each toe and make your brain connect with their movement. Try them once in a while besides your yoga practice or if you don't practice yoga, just to help the mobility of your feet. **

I try them with some yoga students; it's fun and quite interesting how the connection is different for everyone.  
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In the first video: spread each one of your toes one by one in the mat or the floor. 
In the second video: lift only the big toes and spread one by one each toe and backwards. 
In the third video: lift only big toes three times, then the rest of toes three times and then rest of toes with big toe down. It is not that easy. It takes time, connection and mobility. 
It gives stability to the practice but also in life! How we stand or sit brings us lots of clarity!

Try them and let me know how it goes. Its great for out feet and it's fun. =)
If you have more ideas or excercises to improve mobility, injuries and your yoga practice, leave your comments and share please!



*The spine is another part of the body for fundation, but here we are not talking about it. 
**This movements are part of my training and certification as a FRC specialist. If you want more information or advice, text, email or follow me on social media.