HAPPY FEET
Did you know that the body absorbs nearly 5x its body weight through your feet with each step?
EFFICIENT DESIGN
Fortunately for us, our feet were designed with an efficient structure of ARCHES! Yes, plural, we actually have three and they are easily identifiable if you pinpoint the three points of weight bearing — the ball of the big toe, the ball of the little toe, and the heel. This triangular structure is called the “plantar vault”.
For a variety of reasons, these arches can vary in degree and that’s okay! We want efficiency, not textbook perfection. To be efficient we need mobility and stability!
Try this:
A Happy Foot Is A Mobile Foot
In standing, note the three points of weight bearing on each foot. Are they all making contact with the ground? Is most of your weight in your heel?
A Happy Foot Is A Stable Foot
Standing on your left foot, check your balance. Are your toes gripping the floor? Are you wobbling around? Now, check the right. Any easier?
Instructions:
Place the PINKY ball under your foot. Begin to roll the ball using the connected dots from our previous post as your roadmap — ball of big toe to ball of little toe, ball of little toe to heel, etc. Repeat 3-5x.
Place the SUPER ball under your foot. Begin to roll the bottom of your foot from heel to toe — working your way the inside to out. Repeat 2-3x.
Place the PINKY ball just in front of your heel, keeping your forefoot on the floor. Bend your knees 5x
Place the PINKY ball at the ball of your foot, keeping your heel on the floor. Bend your knees 5x.
In standing, place either ball under your foot in the center. Begin to bend your knees, allowing your toes to relax & arch to give way over the ball. For deeper pressure, use the Super Ball. Repeat 5x.
Check! Is your foot more MOBILE? Are all three points touching the floor. Check! Is your foot more STABLE? Can your toes relax when you balance?
BONUS: Find your balance! While brushing your teeth, stand on 1 leg and balance for 1 minute to strengthen the muscles in your foot!
