“So below, as above”
Why am I so obsessed with getting everyone to move their feet?......
Our feet are the foundation of movement. They support us, propel us forward, and help us maintain balance. Yet, they are often overlooked and talked about with a sense of disgust. They’re hidden away in socks and shoes, rarely appreciated for their incredible complexity and function. Often people focus on strengthening larger muscle groups while neglecting the small but mighty muscles in their feet. Developing strong and flexible feet is essential not only for long-term health and injury prevention, but our overall wellbeing. Our feet are amazing and we need to be paying much more attention to them and how they move!
Foot Facts:
Each foot has 26 bones (there are also 26 bones in the spine!)
And 33 joints
There are 4 layers of muscles in the feet
13 muscles that attach to the lower leg
The foot has around 200,000 sense receptors
They’re one of the most sensitive parts of the body (alongside the hands, mouth, and eyes)
Feet are not just these things at the end of our legs that we stand on — they feel, adapt, and communicate with the rest of the body, there's a lot going on in our feet and ankles. One of their primary functions is to feel sensation from the surface they are on to enable us to adapt to different terrains we are walking on. The coordinated movement of the foot and ankle together are designed to be able to dynamically react to activity creating stability in the body.
However, very often our feet are not working as effectively as they should, the muscles aren’t working so they become weak, the full range of motion is underutilised so they become stiff. This has a huge impact on the rest of the body…..so below, as above!
‘If the feet aren't working the way they were designed to, everything upstream can suffer’ Foot Collective
The arrangement of the bones, joints, connective tissue and muscles of the feet determine the balance in the rest of the structures in the body. When feet are misaligned, weak, or restricted, the entire body feels the impact. Twists, imbalances, and compensations develop in the ankles, knees, hips, and spine. It takes more energy to compensate for a misaligned structure so over time, this leads to strain and inefficiency throughout the whole body, forcing other areas to work harder to make up for the instability below.
Our feet are the foundation of our structure. As Judith Anodea puts it:
‘The foundation largely determines the shape of the structure above, determining what it can hold, how high it can build, what kind of stresses it can withstand’
Think of the body like a tree. The feet are the roots, drawing nourishment and stability from the earth to support the entire structure. Without a strong foundation, the "tree" above can't grow to its full potential. Like tree roots spread wide and deep to anchor and nourish, our feet are designed with arches that distribute weight and absorb impact. Strong, flexible feet keep us grounded while enabling movement.
By giving your feet the attention they deserve—through strengthening, mobilizing, and reconnecting with them—you’re creating a solid foundation for your entire body. Strong and flexible feet lead to better posture, improved movement, and less overall strain in the body and mind. Don’t underestimate the power of strong, healthy feet.
So, let’s start moving our feet, honoring their role as our base of support, and rediscovering their potential!
Top tip... go barefoot when possible, it helps strengthen foot muscles.
Comments