Are your feet Uggly?

It's true I'm obsessed with feet. Not quite a foot fetish but I do bang on about the importance of taking great care of our plates of meat..as they say here in London. You see, as a yoga teacher, experience has taught me that happy, healthy feet combined with good postural alignment (standing tall) prevents a variety of back, neck and knee problems. So, you can imagine my horror at the abuse some of our tootsies are subjected to in the name of fashion!

The Ugg style boot is the current culprit. Originally designed as a warm, comfortable 'slipper' boot. It's phenomenal success has transformed it into a 'must have' fashion item. Sadly, unlike a shoe, the boot hasn't a strong arch support, particularly if they are imitation Uggs and overtime the material sags, the foot becomes lazy, flattened and pronated. A big 'ouch' for the knees and back.

Okay, I confess! I have a pair and...I love them! But I am also mindful of the way I treat my feet and I use simple yoga techniques to maintain their strength and flexibility. Here are my top tips to maintaining healthy, happy feet that look fabulous in and out of any fashionable shoe.

1. Practise mindful walking. Heal to toe strike action, weight into the centre of the heel and ball of the foot, lifting up in the arches

2. Walk tall. Your yoga class encourages core awareness, so practise this daily to take the weight away from joint areas

3. Walk about the house barefoot to enhance the natural movement of the foot

4. If you have collapsed archs and you simply have to wear those boots then try an arch support inside, Sorbathane Insoles are my favourite

If problems persist always consult your GP

...and remember I'm watching your feet!

Cathy ;)