WE hope you enjoyed the weekly foot workout that we shared on Facebook during Foot Health Month. The feet are our forgotten heroes and just because April has come to an end, it doesn’t mean we should go back to neglecting them!

Daily foot exercises not only help keep core foot muscles strong and supple, but you will also feel the benefits further up the body… no bad thing as reflexology and Bowen therapy appointments have had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.

I spend some time every day barefoot, which can help improve posture, strengthen foot and leg muscles as well as keeping us grounded when all around us things feel out of control. If you missed any of our weekly workouts, here is a brief summary with thanks to the College of Podiatry.

Towel curls: Sit upright on a chair and place your bare foot on a towel on the floor. Keeping your heel on the floor grab the towel with your toes and pull towards you with every scrunch. Continue for two minutes and repeat on the other foot.

Marble grab: While sitting, use your toes to pick up a marble or small stone from the floor, then put it down carefully. Aim for 15 with each foot.

Toe Alphabet: Sit on the floor with legs outstretched. Using your big toe as a pencil ‘write’ the alphabet in the air, once with each foot, making the letters as large as possible. This will improve dexterity and range of movement in both foot and ankle. Do not move leg or knee.

Foot doming: Ballet dancers do 40 or 50 of these a day. Stand tall and tighten the toes on your right foot so they feel rigid. Then pull the toes towards your heel which draws up the arch and makes the foot look shorter. Hold for five to six seconds and release. Repeat five to 10 times on each foot and keep the toes rigid and on the floor – not curled under. Research has shown that four weeks of daily foot doming improves balance and reduces the risk of arch collapse.

Stay safe and keep smiling… Helen x