This Yoga pose, called Down Dog Calf Stretch, can ease tension in the entire back line of the body.
We’ve all heard that high heels, or any heels, actually, are death to our flexibility and cause no end of lower back problems. Not sexy.
The amount of time we spend with our foot in a pointed position as we walk and stand around can shorten the arch and calf muscles, tension that translates into pain and limited motion caused by over-contracted hamstrings, glutes and the muscles that run along the spine.
Although we might want toned-looking legs and a derriere that's high in the air, the tradeoff is that we can end up looking fabulous but feeling less than our best.
The real issue for me, however, is that heels are really, really cute. And I want to wear them without feeling guilty or like I'm destroying my body. Can we have fashion that doesn't hurt?
Thankfully, yoga gives us a way to rock those Manolos, and still keep our feet happy. The first yogis probably weren't thinking about how to preserve our sense of style, but yoga poses can be a perfect way to counterbalance the tightness and compression heels can collect along with all those appreciative glances.
If I can have my vintage black and white patent leather Mary Janes and keep my body in balance too, I'll take it. Here's a pose to give you the same freedom and flexibility after you kick off those shoes as you had before. In time, you’ll be able to have your heels…and rock them, too!
POSE: DOWN DOG CALF STRETCH VARIATION
- This is a take on the classic Down Dog that’s easy to do after you’ve kicked off the heels and want a quick counterbalance. It stretches the whole back line of the body using a resist-and-release technique research shows can help create more muscle length, fast.
- Come into Down Dog with hands and balls of the feet planted on the floor. Parallel your wrists forward and middle fingers to one another. Feet are hip distance and hands are shoulder distance.
- Lift your heels strongly into the air, and remain there for 3-5 breaths. Then maintaining a slight resistance, as if trying to keep the heels lifted, slowly lower your heels toward the ground until you feel a stretch somewhere in the back body. Your tightest areas will release first, then others will reveal themselves to you.
Repeat this move 3-5 times, and also play with bending one leg, and stretching the other straight for additional benefits.
Sadie Nardini is the founder of Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga in New York City and the creator of the bestselling Total Body Transformation DVD series. For more information about Sadie or to access her free yoga videos and tips, go to SadieNardini.com
From: Sam | 7/18/10 at 11:42 am
I'm really going to have to start doing these stretches to help me out with my flexibility. Although I know I should stop wearing my high heels so frequently I just love them so much, and I love the way they make my calves and butt look. Anyone know how I can wing myself off of my own addiction?