The Fitness Train
Exercises from the community
Raise Big Toes
With raised arches, lift only both big toes, keeping the other four on the ground, then lower them back down. Repeat this slowly 5-10 times. This exercise and the next one require a gradual re-learning of lost muscle control. When you first try, you might not be able to move certain toes independently. Keeping your spine straight and long, you can bend your knees and bend down forward to use your fingers to help hold the other toes down while you are learning the new muscle control.
Tucked Toe Stretch
Now we are going to tuck the toes so that your soles raise facing directly behind you as your toes curl away from the soles. Lower your weight slowly and gently onto the length, not tips, of your toes. This will stretch the toes and soles. Avoid stretching too hard or releasing too much weight. Gradually, after practicing for a few weeks, gently increase the stretching in the toes and soles. Reduce the stretch at any feeling of strain or pain. Hold this stretch for 1-2 minutes.
Raise All Toes
Walk around the room for a few seconds to relax the feet, then stand straight and still in Mountain pose (Tadasana). Keep your feet parallel and closer than shoulder width. Straighten your legs and allow your spine to lift and lengthen as before, feeling the gentle balloon pull upward from the imaginary string atop your head. Balance your weight evenly in the middle of your foot, evenly on both sides and distributed from front to back. Feel this balanced weight on your feet and allow your feet arches to raise if possible. Once your Mountain is stable and straight: With raised arches, lift all 5 toes of both feet upward, then lower them back down. Repeat this slowly 5-10 times.