In last Tuesday's class, one of the yogis was feeling a little fluey, so collectively a decision was made to have a slow, stretchy and easy class.
We did some gentle yoga, some Yin yoga and had a little foot massage.
As we massage the feet, I realised I couldn't remember a single thing to say about the feet, except they are 'kinda useful'. (In my defence the whole class was a last minute decision and feet are kinda useful.
So to put that right, here are somethings I could have said...
Foot facts
Foot bones make up 1/4 of all bones- there are 26 foot bones in each foot
The oldest preserved shoe is 5500 years old and was found in an Armenian cave, buried in sheep dung.
The big toe used to be a kind of Foot Thumb: This grasping toe helped our predecessors climb trees and, when young, grip onto their mothers. Thanks to modern science, if you lose your thumb, you can now replace it with a toe: toe-to-thumb transplants are a surprisingly common procedure these days.
Foot size has nothing to do with penis size: In a study published in 2015, researchers synthesized data from 17 previous studies that included the penis measurements of more than 15,000 men from around the world. The results: big shoes = big feet.
Meridians
The meridians are 3000 years old. This Chinese system is a network of energy channels or electrical pathways covering the body. There are twelve major Meridians, each passing through the one side of the body and having a mirror image on the other side.
The electric energy running through these Meridians- 'Chi’ is derived from food and air and is considered to be “the root of life”, the vital energy within the body that nourishes body and mind. Therefore stimulating and massaging along all these Meridians, allows energy to flow freely and return the body to a state of balance.
There are six main Meridians found in the feet, specifically the toes, namely the Meridians that penetrate the main organs; liver, spleen/pancreas, stomach, gall bladder, bladder and kidneys.
How to massage your feet
Sit comfortably. Bend your left leg and rest your left foot gently on your right thigh.
Rub some oil/lotion/potion gently into your foot and massage your whole foot including the toes, arch, and heel.
Press the knuckles of your right hand into your left foot. Knead your foot as you would bread. Then work the skin and muscles by holding a foot with both hands and pressing your thumbs into the skin.
Using your hands, gently pull the toes back and forth or apart. This stretches the muscles underneath.
Repeat on the other foot.
Alternatively ...
Serve a delicious dinner
Move to sofa
Hand other half their tipple of choice
Select television program of their choice
After 7 mins place naked feet on their lap
After 2 minutes hand them the oil and top up to tipple
Smile and accept spontaneous foot massage offered
If step 7 doesn't work. Try placing foot in their eyeline until spontaneous foot massage is offered.
Which lotion / oil / potion for feet
Use whatever brings you joy and makes you smile. It doesn't have to be anything special, but here are a few suggestions from aromatherapy.
Peppermint
Increases circulation
Offers a cooling, numbing sensation
Fights fatigue both mental and physical
Lemongrass
Calms and reduces inflammation
Revitalizes tired feet
Helps reduce swollen tissues
Juniper Berry
Reduces pain and inflammation
Cleansing and detoxifying properties for skin
Aids in decreasing fluid retention
Rosemary
Stimulates circulation generally
Energizes and uplifts the mind and body
Assists with aches and pains
Cypress
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties help with pain
Reduces accumulated fluids in the tissues
Tones the circulation and strengthens connective tissue.
Lessons learnt
To get oil out of yoga mat, place in bath tub for 2 months until mat disintegrates.
Put socks/ shoes on feet after massage to avoid inelegant and undignified skidding across the living room floor.