April feels like the official transition into Spring as we put away our winter boots and let our bare feet come back into contact with the Earth. With that, it seems rather fitting that April is Foot Health Awareness Month! Does that sound as exciting to you as it does to me? 

Stating the obvious for a moment, our feet are our foundation. So we know they are important. However, many of us also have a less-than-ideal relationship with our feet. 

For the month of April, I would love to inspire you to know and love your amazing feet in new ways!

When our feet are unhappy, it changes how we function and feel on all levels. As an anatomy and functional movement specialist, and someone who likes to be active, I understand and value the connectedness of our entire bodies, minds and feelings. Cranky feet … cranky life!

As the weather warms up in the northern parts of our planet, and the days get longer, many of us are ready to embrace the outdoors in new ways and perhaps increase or change the types of activities we do. I know I’m looking forward to going on some big mountain hikes this summer once the trails dry out a bit. I’m even planning another walk on the Camino de Santiago this fall. Walking 20 or more kilometres a day means my feet need to be healthy and happy!

So, what can we do to get our feet ready for new or more intense activities? We need to strengthen key muscles. 

Something that comes up a lot for those who take yoga classes for the first time is how achy their feet get in standing and balancing poses. Perhaps this happened for you at one time as well. This achiness is a wake-up call for improving foot fitness. 

Why are the feet achy? It’s likely due to some muscle weakness. In particular, it could be weakness in the Interossei muscles that run between the long bones of your feet (the metatarsals). They can atrophy, or shrink if you will,  when your feet have been wrapped in heavy and immovable footwear all winter long. 

Ankle and calf muscles also need some loving care, especially if you like to scramble or enjoy hikes with big elevation gains. A lot of our winter footwear comes above the ankles and so we don’t move them as much as we would with less restrictive boots. These muscles will need a tune-up as well. 

For this post, let’s keep our focus on  your amazing feet! Here are some easy to implement ideas for getting started on improving your foot strength.

Step 1: If you can, go barefoot when you are at home. 

Step 2: Roll out your feet on something like a tennis or lacrosse ball. That helps to mobilize the joints in your feet.

Step 3: Get on your yoga mat and do some standing balance poses. Embrace the wobble with the knowledge that you are making your feet more fit!

Finally, who doesn’t love a good stretch? Building in some healthy stretching for your feet and ankles can be just what you need after a big hike, bike ride or long walk through Spain! 

I have lots of other ideas on foot and ankle strength that I will share with you throughout the month of April both on Instagram and YouTube. Stay tuned!

If you are a yoga teacher, interested in becoming a yoga teacher, or just love anatomy and functional movement as much as I do, I have put together an online anatomy and functional movement course that takes you through all the key areas of the body by looking at the structures, how they move and how to move them well. 

I think our bodies are truly amazing and when we understand our bodies better, we have the knowledge and skills to love and respect ourselves as embodied beings. 

Curious to know more? Here is a link to the web page that describes the course: 

Do you have questions about your feet and ankles? Reach out! I would love to hear from you!