Point (Plantarflexion) vs. Flex (Dorsiflexion) in Yoga

This is the very beginning of a mini series on all things feet. Writing this series has been on my mind for a while now as awareness of their feet while in yoga poses is an area of growth for most of my students. Not to be cliche, but it's easy to forget that our feet are our body's literal foundation. How we place our feet affects how we walk, run and move on the mat. Learning to pay attention to the details of feet placement and activation across all categories of poses can make a noticeable difference in pose stability and alignment.

Today, I am starting the conversation by identifying a flexed foot vs. a pointed foot. I am sure you are already familiar with the difference, but it's worth covering to make sure we all start the series on the same page.

At the bottom I've created a bit of homework if you find yourself more curious to notice what your standing patterns may be.

Point vs. Flex

female.foot.extreme.point.jpg
female.feet.flexed.inner.view
female.pointed.foot
male.feet.pointed.jpg

Above: Pointed Feet

Below: Flexed Feet

male.feet.pointed
female.feet.flexed

And just in case you're nerdy enough to want to know this:

Dorsiflexion = Flex
Plantarflexion = Point

Homework:

1. Stand in Tadasana as you normally would and have a peek down at your feet.

  • Firstly, did you choose feet together or feet hip distance apart? Why? 

  • Are the toes of one or both feet pointing slightly outward or inward? 

  • Is there more weight on the inner edges or more on the outer edges? 

  • Are your inner arches lifting to support your stance? 

  • What other observations can you make about your feet?

2. Start to pay attention to the same questions as you begin to walk around the room.
3. Reflect on what you've learned.


What have you learned? What if I told you all of these small details are most likely showing up in your yoga practice?

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Model: Lana @lanareedsparklyunicorn; Kelsey @itskelseylynnn; Alex @alexreyesyoga

Arielena Reed