Sore feet help

[anewwayoflife]

Hi. I had just done my first yoga class, and really enjoyed it. I did it barefoot. I am quite supple, so was managing a lot of the poses very well. (although very beginner poses lol)

Unfortunately, in standing poses, the arches of my feet became unbearably painful, and I had to stop, sit down and massage/stretch them out.

is there such a thing as an arch support yoga sock or any exercises I can do to help this, as it was very painful!!!

thanks so much.

Stand up and place one foot on a tennis ball. Push down, roll your foot over it, getting to all areas of your foot. Repeat on other foot.

Sit down with feet flat on the floor. Try to lift your arch without moving the rest of your foot. Relax and repeat nine more times. Then same on the other foot. (Best to do each foot individually otherwise you tend to favour one or the other.)

Thank you so much! Will go in search of a tennis ball in the garden from the dog!

I agree with the tennis ball foot massage.

Can I also add that you might find the problem goes away as your body (joints, muscles, tendons) get accustomed to doing yoga. Think of it as ironing out the knots.

... and drink more water (in case dehydration is a factor).

Have you tried reflexology? Highly recommend it and it should help strengthen your feet. 😄

I would try (maybe at home) to consciously try to stand on different parts of your feet. I have plantar fascitis and try to sort of hold my arch up when standing. I think as a result, I shift my weight more to my toes than all on the back of my foot.

I did see a strap on arch support you could possibly wear, but it might impede your foot movement. I think it's designed more for walking.

Hopefully your feet will strengthen and it will be less of an issue.

The second part of your message is really interesting to me. I just tried it. I can do it easily on my good foot, but it's pretty hard on my bad foot (plantar fascitis). Clearly one worth persevering with!

I have remembered another arch strengthening one.

Sit with your feet flat on the floor. One foot at a time, raise and lower your middle three toes (keeping your big toe and little toe flat on the floor). Repeat up to 10 times per foot.