Pilates For Feet by M. Black

I am not the only Pilates teacher thinking about feet lately. Madeline Black just wrote an article for Pilates-Pro.com...

"The feet are very important to the way we engage the body, and they deserve more attention. Feet bring to mind metaphors for moving us forward in life and finding our sense of place and existence in the world."

"Our feet are not only our sensory input telling us where and how to step, but also they set up the balance of our pelvis and translate through the spine. How you use your feet has a direct influence on your core. The way we stand on our feet, or how we move the feet, recruits different muscle lines up the leg into the pelvis. Body weight from our spine and pelvis is placed on the legs through the femur into the tibia. At the end of the tibia sits the talus. "



She includes feet exercises that would helpful to anyone but stylists in particular:
Arches In, Arches Out, Doming the Foot, Inch Worm and Toe Extensor and Flexor Exercises.

For the entire article, visit Pilates For Feet.

Yoga Toes

Many years ago, Joe Pilates invented the Foot Corrector. This apparatus was used with clients to address misalignment and to exercise the foot. They are still available but not widely in use. There is a contemporary product that addresses today's common foot problems, such as those that stylists encounter, Yoga Toes.


I advise stylists and clients experiencing bunions, hammertoes and other such ailments to consider Yoga Toes. I find them to promise to do for the feet what Invisalign and similar products do for teeth: realigning and improving appearance overall.

YogaToes Can Help:

• Exercise your feet to stay healthy & in shape.
• Improve & prevent foot problems by stretching & aligning your toes.
• Ease the discomfort of Hammertoes, Bunions & Plantar Fasciitis.
• Recover from stress, strain & overuse.
• Improve foot strength, flexibility & appearance.
• Increase circulation, straighten bent toes, & realign joints.
• Improve & reduce the aches & pains associated with poor posture.

Source: YogaPro.comYogaToes are simple to use; they slip between the toes just like pedicure toe separators. You wear them for 15 - 60 min. Coupons can be found in women's and yoga magazines for discounts. They cost about $50. Medical evidence for effectiveness is hard to find but an internet search will garner rave reviews.

Poor Posture In Salon Causes Injury

Case Study: Carol, the Hairstylist

Carol was diagnosed by Dr. Timothy J Jameson with injury to her cubital tunnel. Basically, her ulna nerve was entrapped in her elbow. She experienced pain over several months, particularly after full days in the salon. Any bump in the affected region brought severe pain down the arm and into her hand. Her hairdressing technique was evaluated. It revealed that Carol routinely worked with the elbows elevated above the shoulders and a hunched back.

Treatment included chiropractic sessions and myofascial release for chronic pain and inflammation, which eased. Her postural problems continued to cause recurrences. Carol received the suggestion to increase her awareness of deeply ingrained and harmful postural patterns.

Carol's wellness plan would have benefited greatly from Pilates.

As a stylist and Pilates teacher, it is apparent to me that the manual tasks of hairdressing aren't leading to injury in this case, the poor postural habits are. A skilled Pilates teacher can help assess a stylist's posture and alignment and provide a specific program to address postural deviations.

Pilates isn't just about Hollywood and sculpted abs. Beautiful forms and sculpted abs are desirable but they are not the whole story. From its earliest conception, the Pilates method has been valued for its rehabilitative and restorative ability. As the body is developed uniformly, correct posture, physical vitality and a lifted spirit follow. All these are essential to a stylist's productivity and well being.

If you are experiencing injury or disability, talk to your doctor about Pilates as a part of your wellness program. If you would like to prevent injury or disability, look to future posts for vital information aimed at helping you stay healthy. Investigate Pilates that is offered in your local area or contact Pilates For Stylists for assistance.