Foot Fitness: What It Is and Why You Need It

Have you heard of foot fitness? If not, you’re not alone - I had no idea it existed until I heard about Ki Lan’s Yamuna Foot Fitness Class, held at SageMED on the first Wednesday of every month. Ki Lan is an experienced pilates instructor, and a certified Yamuna Body Rolling® instructor (to name just a few of her qualifications). Not only is she knowledgeable, she also is incredibly kind and welcoming, and was able to flawlessly adapt the exercises for participants of varying abilities and skill levels.

The foot, like any other part of the body, has to be properly exercised and cared for in order for it to function properly, especially as the body ages. Yamuna Foot Fitness helps create space between the joints in the foot, relieving foot pain and helping to treat a variety of orthopedic ailments, including plantar fasciitis.

As pictured above, during the exercises you are standing on a bumpy, half-ball piece of equipment called a foot waker, designed to assist in opening the spaces between your joints and strengthen the muscles in the foot. 

Since I was new to the concept of foot fitness, I went in to the class with no expectations.  I wanted to see what it was all about and was hoping to alleviate the joint and tendon pain I’ve been experiencing in my foot. I was not expecting how good the exercises would make my foot feel. I could feel my foot loosening throughout the class, and even pains that I had experienced throughout that day had vanished by the end of the class.

Throughout the class, Ki Lan guides you through a variety of positions and weight distributions, allowing your foot to stretch and move, effectively increasing the space between the joints. While it can at times be uncomfortable, as soon as you step off of the foot waker, you can truly feel the difference in your foot's’ movement.

After Ki Lans Yamuna Foot Fitness class, I have yet to re-injure my foot, (something I consider a miracle, as before the class I would have foot pain on a near-daily basis). I am more mindful of the way that I walk, and even purchased a pair of foot wakers so that I can continue to strengthen my feet outside of Ki Lan’s monthly class. For me, this class improved the way I feel and significantly reduced my foot pain.

We walk on our feet every day of our lives - it’s crucial that we work to strengthen our feet so they can remain fully functional as we age. I have already signed up for her June 7th Yamuna Foot Fitness class, I hope to see some of you there, too!

If you’re ready to work toward healthier, happier feet, email Ki Lan to reserve your spot in her next Yamuna Foot Fitness class.