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Stop Foot, Go Foot

Dr. Suess’s “The FOOT Book” is a delightful tribute to the diverse and multifaceted world of feet. In honor of his fun Suess_openand quirky rhymes, I have put my best foot forward here, in a whimsical approach to show how to work your feet. When you keep your feet in line, you will stay in line. Clearly listen to your feet and discover where they tend to go. Do they turn out or in?  Are they crooked? Do you tend to have low back pain or knee pain? Often this can be traced to your feet.
When you have clarity in your feet, your life will be sweet.
As Abraham Lincoln said “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”

Make your feet parallel. Press down on the four corners of each foot.
Connect your sitting bones to the center of your heels to your forth and fifth toes. That’s your stability line, the bottom shelf, your foundation.
Connect your inner thighs*  to your top ankle to your inner three toes. That’s your mobility line, the slide, that rocks you forward. Squeeze your inner thighs together for more balance.
Practice with standing poses, balancing poses and your day to day postures you find yourself in.

*It’s actually your inner pubis. I love how Dr. Suess made up words when he needed to. The word pubis contracts many folks, particularly teens. So, I’m asking you, dear Grounded Ones to come up with a nonsense word for pubis.

stop foot, stop footSuess_Foot
go foot, go
sitting bones to heel
to forth and fifth toe
stable foot, stable foot,
free foot, free
inner thigh to ankle
to toes one, two three
hip foot, thigh foot,
low foot, high foot
bottom foot top foot
go foot stop foot
heel foot ankle foot
feet, feet, feet
how much balance can you greet?
slow feet, quick feet.
still feet, slide feet
bide, feet, glide feet
shelf feet, shined feet
Here comes aligned feet.
His feet, her feet
Fuzzy fur feet
On the mat and on the street
how much balance can you greet?
Up in the air feet
over a chair feet
mystery unwraps feet
no more collapsed feet
create  more integrity in your feet!
here comes more and more and more clear feet!
Stop foot. Go foot.
Feet. feet. feet.
Oh, how balanced you will greet.
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  • Inner Flexibility

    BB40 big“How do you become flexible on the Inside?”

    That is the question that I was asked by 4th grade student Isabelle at Yoga Club last week. We were working on acknowledging what we could use more of: strength, balance, or flexibility. After meditating to find what we had the least of, Isabelle raised her hand and asked this question. I stumbled for words, trying to be eloquent and honest on the spot. I spoke of the importance of strength and balance in finding inner flexibility… but honestly this answer felt like it came up short. I found myself reflecting on this question for the rest of the day (the class was over at 3:30pm). I consulted some dear friends and got many good suggestions such as taking a walk, for no other reason than to walk.

    But here is what I came up with, that resonates as the voice of my own truth.

    Being flexible on the inside is a lifelong process. There is a big difference between being loosey goosey with no boundaries, and being open to change and to testing new waters. These two polarities give us a framework for the spectrum of possibility. At the beginning, at the core, and at the point of willingness, is a strong inner truth. This truth is clear, it reminds me who I am, what is most important to me. For some this is a relationship with family or friends. For others their connection to their higher power is the most precious thing in their lives. Maybe for you it’s a sport, or a mission, or catfishing. I check in, sometimes daily, sometimes hourly, with my Truth. Each time I face a new challenge I ask myself “Does this bring me closer or farther away from _________________.”