Let’s talk feet, shall we?

Like all things in life, a foundation of some kind supports any structure, be it an idea or a material object.

Our physical bodies are no different. The often time overlooked and neglected feet are actually where any imbalance in our structure can be traced back to, states Ida Rolf. She instructs that to develop a healthy and balanced and powerful posture, a strong and agile body, the feet must provide a firm, sturdy, and flexible foundation.

Feet are essential in carrying us through the world, in stabilizing us, balancing us, and are the crux of the full base support of our knees and legs. In talking about the feet, we are including the arch and ankle as well.

Our feet are comprised of an astounding complex system that creates a solid structure that supports our entire body. I invite you to touch and hold and begin to love your bare feet as you read this. Let your hands explore the network of 33 joints, 26 bones, more than 100 ligaments, 19 larger muscles, many small intrinsic muscles, and lastly, over 7,000 nerve endings per foot. Can you really feel your feet now?

On an energetic level, when feet are bare, on the underside of the arches are energy centers or chakras, that act as a bubbling spring to drink in Mama Earth’s energy, streaming life force through our body. Think Earthing … or better yet, when finished reading this, enjoy feeling your bare feet sensing the earth energy as you do a standing meditation, connecting deeply to the well of Life.

Our feet represent the direction of our choices, the paths we walk in life.

We can cultivate an sacred relationship with our feet by listening/sensing how they feel in our day to day life.

Do they roll out or in?

Are the sore & tired, or light & airy?

Are they numb, tingly, aching, inflammed?

Are they ‘digging in’ communicating a “No” or are they saying “Yes” by moving us forward with ease of expression through the rest of our body, personality expression, & via choices that serve our highest good?

When we dance with Nia, the feet are the foundation of the choreography. We start to embody the practice from the ground up. This provides not only a sense of safety in movement and trust for the rest of the body to feel supported in moving freely, but there’s a holistic science of wellbeing built too.

Nia foot motions are designed to benefit the entire body. When we dance from the ground up, in relationship with our feet, we increase balance, strength, and definition. This is inclusive of the very feet themselves, but also effects all of our subtle bodies … emotional, mental, & spiritual.

These movements also improve our ability to move with more ease and grace, cultivating a stronger flow of energy and vitality through the body, and we develop a greater sense of awareness to the body’s stability and the energy all around us.

As we create strong and agile feet, we develop both a firm AND flexible foundation, that is both solid AND adaptable. Yes, this creates more safety and Joy on the dance floor, however these same qualities flow over into our daily lives.

The techniques used in class empower each of us to gain more sensitivity and body-centered wisdom as to how the structure of the foot can be walked, danced, ran, and rested, in it’s highest level of purpose.

The full weight of our body is supported by our feet. If our ankles are stiff or rigid, our grace, mobility, balance, & fluidity will be limited. The ankles must move freely, with a free range of motion, strength and flexibility to receive a sense of flourishing support and grace as we dance through life.

As you begin to dance with Nia, the reminder is to let go of ‘getting it right’ or self-judgement regarding ability or co-ordination. It becomes clear when we dig deeper, that there is SO much more going on in the healing and adaptation in the body, when it is asked to move in brand new ways. Invoke humor, play curiosity and fun, as your body begins to dance through beautiful, holistic, transformation that brings along your whole Heart-Soul-Spirit for this lifestyle journey!

Looking forward to dancing with you soon ~

With Love & Joy-filled Movement,

Lotus

resource: The Nia Technique by Debbie Rosas & Carlos Rosas