Inspiring Life from the Core

Library Login

Call Us

Call Us

Inspiring Life from the Core

Library Login

Call Us

Happy Feet

According to the American Podiatric Association (APMA), our 2 feet contain more than 50 bones, (about ¼ of all the bones in your body!) 60 joints and 200 muscles, tendons and ligaments that hold them together and help them move.

The average person will walk 110,000 miles over their lifetime. Also, standing in one spot is more tiring than walking because the demands of the same few muscles support us for a longer length of time. So when our “dogs are barking”, why do we tend to ignore the discomfort?

In Pilates, I was taught that when your feet are out of alignment, so is the rest of our body. Joseph Pilates believed that our feet were mis-treated and under-used.  If you are familiar with the Pilates Reformer exercises, you know that the workout begins with a series called “Footwork”.  Joe also designed 2 lesser known pieces of equipment for the feet called the “Foot Corrector” and the “Toe Corrector”.  When it comes to a healthy body, Pilates taught me that the feet are the foundation to how well we move through life.

You don’t need Pilates equipment to show a little love to your most overworked and underappreciated appendages. Grab a small towel and a small ball (tennis or lacrosse size) and you’re ready to go.

Towel Gather – This exercise can be done seated or standing.  Place your towel on the floor with your toes and arch on top of the towel and your heel (off the towel) on the floor. Keeping your heel down, pull the towel toward your heel by grabbing it with your toes (including pinkie toe)  and arch. Think of making a dome under the arch when you grab the towel.  Repeat 5 to 10 times on one foot before switching feet.

Arch Lift –  The goal is to make a dome shape under your foot. This exercise can be done seated or standing. Do your best to keep your toes relaxed as you pull the ball of your foot and your heel towards each other. The toes and heel will stay on the floor as your arch lifts to create a dome shape.  This is a gentle, small movement.  Release the foot to the starting position. Repeat 5 to 10 times on one foot, then switch to the other foot.

Toe squeeze – Place the ball under the toes with the heel securely on the floor.  Squeeze ball will all 5 toes. Release and repeat 5 to 10 times. Repeat on the other foot.

Toe spread – Place ball just below ball of the foot with the heel securely on the floor. Press the foot down to widen just under the base of the toes. Your toes should lift and spread. Release and repeat 5 to 10 times. Repeat on the other foot.

Doming – Set the ball in the center of the bottom of the foot.  Equally let the heel and toes/ball of foot drop toward the floor, creating a dome.  Release and repeat 5 to 10 times. Repeat on the other foot.

Big Toe Lift – Stand near a doorway and place the big toe on the floor and the other 4 toes on the wall.  While the 4 toes are stretching, lift and lower the big toe 5 to 10 times.  Repeat on the other side.

4 Toe Lift – Stand near a doorway and place all but your big toe on the floor and your big toe on the wall.  While the big toe is stretching, lift and lower the other 4 toes 5 to 10 times.  Repeat on the other side.

Related Articles

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Katie is a passionate mover who was brought to Pilates through dance. After a professional dance career, Katie discovered her love of teaching-connecting the mind and body, and working with students of all ages and levels. Her appreciation and understanding of everyone’s ever changing body and needs only became greater as her own body went through pre and post natal stages, an experience which has helped Katie navigate problem solving, and bring a freshness to each session making them feel personal and specific to each body’s needs. Her sessions are full of flow and aim to challenge clients with a sense of comfort, and often a little humor, all of which she has brought to Pure Pilates since 2016. Katie thinks the gift of movement and self care is one of the best things one can do for overall wellness, and is thrilled to seek and fulfill milestones and goals with each of her clients. When she’s not at the studio, Katie is taking care of her three little humans- another job that also makes her smile, laugh, and challenges her on the daily.
Eighteen years ago I discovered my love for Pilates. After having my two children, I felt the need to move my body again. At the time I was living in North Carolina, and worked through many different exercise and training programs. I discovered Pilates, and instantly knew it was right for me. Forteen years later, and a move to New Jersey, I decided to share my love of Pilates with other people looking for some way to move their bodies. Pilates has also been a way for me to keep me strong and flexible to continue many activities. My family loves to be active, and I often find when we are all together (mostly vacations) our days consist of activity and movement such as hiking, kayaking, or skiing(more on this later). As I have gotten older I find it even more imperative now that I keep my body strong. Recently I was in a skiing accident that left me with many knee injuries and ultimately having to go into surgery. I found being able to do light Pilates a few weeks after surgery kept me sane and ultimately helped with recovery time. Pilates has not only helped me be able to keep up with my children, but has also provided me with a body that is able to function at peak performance. My approach to Pilates can be described in one, simple word: movement. Movement can help you, both physically and mentally. Movement, and Pilates, is ultimately about self care. Having a built in time to focus on your body and movement can help relieve yourself of feeling tired, anxious, and stressed. Movement awakens you. Even after one session you can leave feeling calmer and energized.
Enjoyment of life through movement is a vital part of Kathy’s philosophy. When not in the studio she leads an active lifestyle trail running, cycling, skiing and hiking. She also loves connecting with people while traveling with family and friends. One of her favorite cycling trips was riding along the coast of northern California. Learning new things and sharing knowledge is also important to Kathy. She has a passion for food, likes to cook for her family and experiment with new recipes. She is currently trying to achieve the perfect pizza. She is also an avid reader of historical fiction and biographies. Her latest endeavor is learning to play golf.
Carol M. Crincoli, owner Pure Pilates studio, has been in the fitness industry since 1990, with experience in corporate and commercial fitness, recreational programming and teaching as an adjunct professor. She began practicing Pilates in 2003 and received Pilates training through the PhysicalMind Institute in New York, NY. She holds certifications from the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer and lifestyle and weight management consultant. She was also accepted into the IDEA-PFT Recognition System as an Elite Level Personal Fitness Trainer. She is the only trainer in the NY-metro area for Trent McEntire’s Arcus equipment. Carol graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music with a BFA in musical theater and a minor in dance. Opening Pure Pilates is the culmination of a lifetime dream, and her mission to "inspire life from the core" is a holistic approach to health and wellness—from exercise and nutrition, to stress management and self-care. Carol is also the inventor of 8th Avenue Rail, an organizing solution for Tower springs.