Cats have whiskers, humans have feet: sensors that detect what is happening around us. If cats’ whiskers help them to hunt, human feet help us to feel the ground beneath and prepare the body for obstacles to be overcome. Hence, the feet are sensitive and flexible, with different muscles working together. Feet are designed to function without socks or shoes, thus, when we cover them, we also cover up their sensitivity.

We tend to neglect our feet when we exercise. They are there to support our weight when we walk, when we run, when we jump. However, we rarely think about them. Are your feet working efficiently? Are the soles of the feet totally pressing the ground (except for the concave part) with its weight evenly distributed? Are they facing forwards, parallel to each other? These details can make the difference between a healthy foot, which keeps the body physically aligned, and a weakened foot, which leads to knee and hip problems.

Doing specific exercises for the feet not only aligns (or realigns) the feet and, consequently, the body, it also strengthens its muscles and helps keep them more flexible. Bending your toes up and down, and moving them as if you were playing a scale on a piano, helps improve flexibility. Stretching your foot and bending it at a 90-degree angle, as well as rotating it in one direction and then the other, allows for a greater range of motion in the ankle. Shifting your weight between different parts of the foot strengthens the muscles and improves your balance. Walking barefoot and, if possible, on tiptoes helps keep your feet working efficiently.