So, what is it with sock-wearing in yoga?

Recently, I've noticed again just now many people practice with their socks on, and are so very reluctant to take them off. "But it's less slippy without socks!", I plead, trying to persuade the most resistant to whip them off, at least for the standing poses. "No-one cares what your feet look like..." - they really don't, by the way.

But it's not just about getting a better grip with bare skin. Our feet are an incredible feat of engineering, balancing the weight of our body on two relatively small surfaces and giving us an amazing sensory platform which instantly feedbacks to the brain information about posture and movement. Comprising a construction of complimentary arches, bolstered by sturdy yet flexible tissue, they malleate beautifully to the demands of changing ground. An example of a perfectly designed body part that we decide not to make best use of by tethering them in socks and shoes at every opportunity.

For my part, I'm from a household used to removing shoes (and socks) as soon as we enter the house. Despite this, I've done my fair share of foot torture - constricting the toes in fancy footwear and high heels for decades, and have impressive bunions to pay for it too. But letting my feet breathe feels soooo good, and transforms my yoga practice. Going back to any restriction once you've felt that space and connection to ground doesn't feel great.

"...our feet aren’t just foundations...Our bodies are mobile temples, and our feet are required to be flexible and adjustable. At the same time that they must be firm stabilizers, the feet are also wheels for the vehicle of the body. Like tires on a car, when balanced and true, the feet provide a smooth ride, one without disturbance or jarring. But when the foot collapses or distorts, the strain travels up into the hip joints or lower back, and a strong pull or torque may develop, side to side or back to front" Tias Little, 2007 YogaJournal

So if you are a sock-wearer in yoga, I invite you to free those toes, let the skin of the feet feel the contact of your mat and find their way to support you in extraordinary ways. The more we feel into the feet and work with them, the more we sensitise to the rich information they transmit and learn to use them intelligently and promote healthy alignment and space further up the body.

If you've ever had your feet pampered, manicured and massaged you know how good it feels. You can lavish some attention of those wonderful feet through yoga practice too! Let's do it.