One peculiarity of yoga class, at least for some newcomers, is just how much instruction is given to feet. Beginners are sometimes surprised when they’re greeted at the studio door with a reminder to remove not only shoes, but socks too. Yoga is done barefoot, and feet are the superstars of standing poses- the very first poses taught to beginners. We learn to stand in poses called Mountain, Tree, Warrior and many others. Some simple, some extremely challenging, the standing poses teach stability, balance, poise, and endurance. Then come the seated poses, which teach us even more about our feet and ankles. The feet even seem to play a starring role in upside down poses like headstand, where they help us strike a perfect balance while standing on the crown of the head. For those of us who stick with the practice, there are a surprising number of benefits to all of this foot work: Less fatigue, fewer foot cramps, better circulation, and stronger arches, which can translate into fewer aches in knees, hips, and low back.
In my classes at the Yoga Space, my students and I greeted the spring season feet first. We’ve set out on a review of many types of poses, all with a beginner’s mindset on how to place our feet, how to anchor them to stay grounded, how to subtly shift weight to refine balance. This attentive work makes for better yoga poses, but also happier feet!
Join us at the Yoga Space to sample the extraordinary and accessible practice of yoga. Classes are ongoing, drop-ins are welcome. Beginning level classes are offered on Wednesdays at 9am, Thursdays at 5:45pm, and Saturdays at 11:15am. For more details, visit our website and view our Spring 2 Schedule.
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Each week one of the teachers at the Yoga Space shares her thoughts and experiences in this blog. Alicia Rowe teaches classes on Mondays at 9am and Tuesdays at 10am. The Yoga Space is a yoga studio just east of Dexter serving Saline, Chelsea, Manchester and Ann Arbor. We have been helping people with their flexibility, strength, focus and stress management for over 14 years. We offer a free class the last Friday of each month from 6-7 pm. 180 Little Lake Dr #1 Ann Arbor, MI, 48103. http://yogaspaceannarbor.com 734-622-9600