Oftentimes, we ignore the smaller parts of our bodies and forget how integral they are to our musculoskeletal system. As we age, our feet become more rigid from wearing ill-fitting shoes, less walking, or maybe even from overuse. Our hands become tighter as we clutch onto small electronic devices. Stretching and strengthening our feet and hands is just another way of practicing ahimsa. (In yoga, ahimsa is the Sanskrit word for self-care or self-kindness). The health and mobility of our feet and hands can significantly impact our quality of life.
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Your feet are your body's foundation. Regular exercises and stretching of the toes, tops of the feet, bottoms of your feet, ankles, and up into your calves will help you feel more grounded, stable, and keep you active longer. As the feet become more mobile, you may even feel better in the knees, hips, and back.
Many people have daily activities (jobs and sports) that consist of repetitive motions in the hands and wrists. Repetitive strain can lead to long-term hand and wrist problems. When we work to strengthen and stretch our hands, wrists, and even our forearms, we can potentially offset the harm done from these repetitive movements.
By practicing simple yoga stretches and exercises you can keep these parts of the body strong and flexible, which can help prevent injury. You can minimize aches and pains that result from constant use.
As we age, we might encounter arthritis in the hands, wrists, feet, and/or ankles. To lessen the aches and pains of arthritis, stretching and strengthening can possibly decrease the joint inflammation.
If you have any known foot or hand/wrist conditions, it's a good idea to talk with your healthcare professional before starting a regular foot and/or hand exercise. The exercise should not make your existing condition(s) worse. However, after trying a new exercise, short-term muscle soreness may happen as the body adapts. Like with any other physical exercise, this muscle soreness should subside.
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Join Pistachio Yoga on Saturdays 8am, once a month, to stretch and strengthen the hands and feet. This is a community class. Free of charge. However, if you'd like to contribute, all proceeds will be sent to Feed My Starving Children, an organization focused on packing nutritious meals for hungry children around the world. https://www.fmsc.org/
The little things always count.
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