no dead feet
September 21, 2016
Often my students will hear me say "no dead feet!". We often forget about our feet as they are the farthest parts of our bodies from our command center (eyes and head). As a result, poses are often more labor intensive than necessary. Finishing the lines of energy in any pose can make the pose more easeful, efficient, and more enjoyable. The distal ends of your body are often the most important in which to feed your lines of energy....hands/fingers, feet/toes and crown of the head.
Check out the photos below using Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) as an example.
Half Moon with Dead Foot
Dead Foot
Half Moon with Electric Foot
Electric Foot
The Half Moon Pose with the electric foot is clearly much more supported because of the completion of the line of energy from the crown of the head all the way to the toes because it integrates segments of the body: foot, lower leg, upper leg and spine to head. On the other hand, the pose with the dead foot begins to break the lines of energy into segments causing the leg and foot to be heavier and to require more energy to support the whole system. Completing your lines of energy will help you feel more buoyant and light so that you can sustain safer poses in your yoga practice.
Go Electrify!!!