Toega, the new yoga
Look, we have a party coming up soon. In case you completely missed that, just read this. Because we had such a super cool magazine printed, we are now nominated. But that party has a dress code. Black tie. That means fancy chic in black satin (yes, the outfit is hanging wrinkle-free) and high heels on the red carpet. But those heels, that will be a bit of a challenge…
I love heels, very much actually. They make your legs longer, prettier and yes, it also looks like you suddenly weigh four kilos less . But let's be honest: to survive them, you need to be well-trained. Nothing is as painful as running around all day from place to place in a killer pair of stilettos. And especially that moment when you relieve the misery from your feet. But I have good news to ease that pain. Toega, or toe yoga, eases the pain in your feet in less than ten minutes.
Toega is a combination of movements and stretching exercises for the most underrated but most used limbs of the body: our little feet. A daily session of 5 to 10 minutes helps improve mobility, flexibility, and strength in your toes, feet, and ankles. But more than that, toega is mainly a good excuse to get a foot massage from your partner after the exercises. Trust me, those are the best.
1. Stand on a towel or even better: a yoga mat. Then bend your big toe under the ball of your foot. Apply a little pressure on your big toe while keeping your little toes straight.
Tip to see if you're doing it right: from a top view, it looks like your big toe has disappeared. Repeat this exercise, but in reverse. Bend your little toes under the ball of your foot while keeping your big toe extended forward. Keep the big toe in contact with the ground by applying gentle pressure.
Tip: use your hands to curl your little toes under the ball of your foot if you can't do it without help.
2. Place your feet in a straight line under your hips and distribute your weight evenly over both feet. Then push your big toes into the ground while simultaneously lifting your little toes into the air. Hold this position for at least half a minute. Make sure the ball of your foot stays in contact with the ground.
Tip: be careful not to lean on your ankles when you lift your little toes.
3. Sit on a towel with your knees pulled up at a 90-degree angle and position your feet so that your toes make contact with the towel. Then grab the towel with your toes and try to pull the towel towards you without lifting your heels off the ground.
4. Kneel at a 90-degree angle and place the bottoms of your toes on the towel. Then reach with your hands towards your heels and push your hips forward. Make sure your arms and heels form a straight line. When your arms are fully extended, push your big toes into the ground.
Tip: focus on your big toes while pushing. Try to relax your other toes as much as possible.
5. Bring your hips back and sit on your feet. Let your arms rest on your lap. The bottoms of your toes are still planted in the ground. Feel the stretch in the arch of your feet and then push your big toes into the ground with small explosive movements.
So nice sir, come out from under that stone today and mark December 14 in your calendar. For that foot massage. My thanks are already great.
