Of all the nerve

So close to the finish line and wouldn't you know it - a pinched nerve in the ball of my right foot. Seriously, the TIMING????? It felt similar to the sharp pain you experience when you pull a groin muscle. How can such a teeny tiny part cause such an emense amount of pain??? I woke up in the morning and got up to take my first step out of bed and *pow* I realized putting even a little weight on it created a sharp pain that shot up from my foot to the tips of ears. Crap.

But I forced myself to go to class anyway, telling the instructor what my issue was before we got started. She told me to do what I could and offered up some modifications that would take some of the weight off of my foot. It definately helped, but it was still really difficult. I think I discounted the impact yoga has on your feet alone.

After two days the issue subsided and I was back to being fancy free in the feet. But I do have a gripe with the yoga instructors I've encountered over the years. This might simply be my lack of professional training, but I don't understand why all the balancing poses have to be grouped together during class. Without fail I end up having to take a small break in the midst of class and rub out charlie horses because my arches have reached their limit. Is there a reason these postures can't be peppered throughout the class? Is there a health benefit I'm missing??

Throughout yoga practice, we ask A LOT of our little toes. Bending them this way and that, asking each foot to independently support our entire body weight in various positions. My sweet husband will rub my feet on the couch while we're watching movies, and that makes SUCH a difference! In fact, I try to make certain I give my little paws the pampering they deserve. Once a month a get a french pedicure with a girlfriend (complete with exfoliation and calf rub) and recently purchased a pair of YogaToes that I wear for a hour or so each day to stretch and relax my feet. They are awesome by the way, take a look if you're interested: http://www.yogapro.com/ts/toestretcher.html?&gclid=CI2T5IGjjqACFSAkagodmQ6jdQ

Lesson learned. Respect your feet and they will do you right.