Hi folks! Thanks for stopping by.
Fifty (50) years ago I broke my right ankle in a motorcycle accident. Guarding (chronic psychosomatic tension) the broken bone (medial malleolus of the tibia), by folding my outer toes together and twisting my ankle laterally to take perceived stress off of the break, both shortened my foot and messed with my gait during running (that’s another long story). With the help of my Continuum teacher, Rebecca, and a pair of yoga toes, I have been stretching out these pesky toes and the outer edge of that foot, which was very tight indeed, which straightens my ankle.
Effect of opening my feet with Yoga toes - heels in same spot, the only difference being the spreading of my lateral toes, which were ‘scrunched up’ due to guarding to inappropriately protect a bone broken (arrow) 50 years previously on a motorcycle.
A few years ago I was measured for custom bike shoes by placing my feet in a casting mold, and my feet were found to be one complete size different (left size 11; right size 10). Since then I have been buying odd size shoes. The stretching of my outside right foot with yoga toes seemed to both widen and lengthen my right foot, to make it the same size as the left. Today, for the first time in years, I bought two running shoes of the same size (11), and they feel great, unless I scrunch up my right outer foot, when the right shoe feels too big.
I was looking at this blog post and the photo today, and I realized that it wasn’t very convincing, so I made a brief video that I think would convince anyone. Here it is:
How about that for progress in the development of my program of safe exercise for better health?
-k @FitOldDog
Important Note: These posts do not provide medical advice. You should always consult your physician before undertaking or significantly modifying an exercise program.
Copyright © 2010 Kevin T. Morgan aka FitOldDog, Old Dogs in Training, LLC.
Post Footer automatically generated by wp-posturl plugin for wordpress.
I will have to look for yoga toes - there is a chance they could help me.
BTW I’m enjoying the gin soaked raisins.
Hi Pauline, yep, sorting out your connection to the ground is a great place to start fixing all the little things that changed for the not so better as we got older. A good Feldenkrais/Continuum instructor might be good for you too. If you have a group lesson it is much more affordable, but less effective. Stay in touch with the ground and see you in November - my training is way behind, but not too worried as my base is pretty solid. Now picking up the mileage. -kevin
That’s fabulous, Kevin!
Hi Karen, it all started with the day I met you and Nancy at that table at Weaver Street about 5 years ago, and I said “You teach what? Frankenstein?” You guys, and now Rebecca with scream therapy and Continuum, have really changed my life for the better. Thanks so much. -kevin
I’d love to try those Yoga Toes.
You could buy some, but wait a few days before you do because I just asked the company if they would send you a free pair (will need mailing address if they agree), as I have been singing their praises on my blog. You never know your luck, but don’t hold your breath. -kevin
Should Yoga Toes be capitalized? -k
Yes, if it’s a brand name. Yoga Toes.
Pingback: FitOldDog Blogger Shares Great YogaToes Video From Contiuum Teacher | Official YogaToes Blog
I wonder if these could help me 4 of my toes are the same length and are half the size of my big toe
Hi Sarah, depends if it’s genetic, or failure of nurture. My lateral toes on my right foot were contracted due to chronic guarding of my ankle following a motorcycle accident in my teens. Whether this is the case for you or not, Yoga Toes sure help to spread the feet, improve contact with the ground, and thus improve stability, mobility and balance. I recommend them highly, based on what I’ve learned from Rebecca, who prepared a demonstration video on their use. Here is the blog post: http://goo.gl/1RRO7 Hope that helps. -kevin