Posts by: Bryony

Bryony Yoga Week 1

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Our beautiful wonderful feet

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Physically our feet are so important. I struggle with my feet, in fact more than that, they have been the bane of my practice and running. I have one foot that turns out and the other that is straight. Because of this I have become mildly obsessed with feet and the part they play with my body, in my Yoga, and running. I’ve learnt to love my feet, which do not behave, and to accept that some poses are much harder (especially balances) on one side than the other.  There is always an argument as to whether to adjust one’s natural foot placing, or not. With my natural inquisitive scientific mind, and my own wonky body as a live experiment, I have thought long and hard, and tried and tested both ways. Just like foundation of a building must be strong, sturdy and level to support all the structures above, so must the feet to support the knees, hips, and spine. If our base is tilted or collapsed, it will be reflected up through the body as distortion or misalignment. I know this because I see it on myself.

In my Yoga classes I talk about being aware of all four corners of the feet – under the big toe mount, under the little mount, and both inner and outer edge of the heel. I think awareness and appreciation of our wonderful feet and the part they play when practicing Yoga is very important. Whether or not you choose, or are able to change your foot placing, being aware of their importance and the role each muscle plays in support our feet is crucial. After years of trying all different things my beautiful foot still turns out, I still don’t balance as well but it has improved massively. The fact I haven’t fixed it, and it still effects Poses (no longer running because of great shoes), is very frustrating at times, however it is a brilliant life-lesson. I’m not perfect and that’s OK, it’s what makes me human, we’re all beautifully different and as are our wonderful feet.  This, in essence is what Yoga is all about, it’s not about the Yoga poses, or goals, it’s about what you learn on the journey. Like the Buddha said, “The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground”.