Well thank you all for your lovely comments and emails on Suburban Yogini TV! It will become a regular feature and hopefully we can make the film clips better and better. I’m always open to suggestions for topics as well.
Back in July when I was on a yoga teachers’ conference, I did a whole morning of work on feet. Our feet are so important to us. As well as grounding us in our standing asana, they walk, run and pedal us hundreds and thousands of miles during our lifetime and we thank them by shoving them into shoes and boots and spending most of the winter forgetting about them. So as winter approaches here are five little pampering tips for your feet.
* I’ve semi-joked about monthly pedicures being a business expense for yoga teachers, but a quality pedicure is good for your feet as well as making them look nice. I try to get one once a month all year round but if you have other priorities for your money make sure you moisturise your feet daily with a good hand cream and give them regular soaks and scrubs (see below).
* Have regular footbaths with essential oils. For tired or aching feet add 5 drops of Juniper oil, 3 drops of Lavender and 2 drops of Rosemary to a litre (2 pints) of warm water and let your feet soak until the water goes cold. Massage damp feet with sea salt, rinse and moisturise. For hot and sweaty feet try the same but with 3 drops of Clary Sage, 4 drops of Cypress and 3 drops of Lavender.**
* A wise teacher once told me that foot squeezes – squeezing the foot into a “fist” by curling the toes under and releasing – done 60 times per day will straighten out crooked toes and relieve bunions. I don’t know quite who has the time to do this 60 times a day but it is a great foot strengthener (especially before balancing postures!).
* Give your feet a massage any time of day. Applying pressure through the thumb make circles in the big toe mound, arch and heel. Finish off by taking each toe between your thumb and forefinger and separating it from its neighbours!
* Take your shoes off at your desk. Keep a pair of slippers or ballet pumps in your desk drawer. Wiggle your toes and circle your ankles at regular intervals throughout the day.
** Consult a qualified aromatherapist if you have not used these oils before or are pregnant. Do not use Juniper during the first six months of pregnancy.
