Foot and Ankle Exercises?

[Some guy]

This question is really for anyone, but since SG and DSV both mentioned this, it made me wonder - could relaxing your ankles/heels also help with balance?

I would like to add that you can relax them provided you don't push off the floor or use your feet the wrong way.  Basically what I mean by "relax" is to let go of control and give your body the freedom to use them as necessary. 

[Dora-Satya Veda]

DSV, that sounds like a great exercise too! I think I will add it to my list!

This question is really for anyone, but since SG and DSV both mentioned this, it made me wonder - could relaxing your ankles/heels also help with balance?

Yes, absolutely....you will gain a better balance when you relax your feet and ankles. You will actually find that your feet will open up and become more like “duck feet” which creates a bigger surface to the floor. When you have a bigger surface touching the floor you will have better balance.

DSV

[QPO]

duckfeet is interesting concept....do you use this in motion as well? and if so in which step would that apply?

[Some guy]

duckfeet is interesting concept....do you use this in motion as well? and if so in which step would that apply?

I'm pretty sure it applies to any step that makes contact with the floor.

[QPO]

duckfeet is interesting concept....do you use this in motion as well? and if so in which step would that apply?

I'm pretty sure it applies to any step that makes contact with the floor.

is that in passing between steps as I would imagine that you have to bring your feet together when brushing, I am a visual person is there a youtube example that you could show me.....

[elisedance]

duckfeet is interesting concept....do you use this in motion as well? and if so in which step would that apply?

I'm pretty sure it applies to any step that makes contact with the floor.

is that in passing between steps as I would imagine that you have to bring your feet together when brushing, I am a visual person is there a youtube example that you could show me.....

You have to read a bit higher in the topic Q - they are referring to the foot making a large contact area with the floor, a sensation achieved by relaxation...

[samina]

fwiw, i like using stairs for strengthening feet & ankles. has helped me a lot

could relaxing your ankles/heels also help with balance?

i noticed having my feet & ankles worked on during rolfing improved balance considerably. strengthening the inner leg line helps too...

[Dora-Satya Veda]

duckfeet is interesting concept....do you use this in motion as well? and if so in which step would that apply?

I'm pretty sure it applies to any step that makes contact with the floor.

Correct!

DSV

[QPO]

fwiw, i like using stairs for strengthening feet & ankles. has helped me a lot

could relaxing your ankles/heels also help with balance?

i noticed having my feet & ankles worked on during rolfing improved balance considerably. strengthening the inner leg line helps too...

that is what I am working on at the moment. my knee has been strapped for nearly four weeks and I can feel i=the inner musciles starting to work again which is helping the inner leg line.

[samina]

Hah..."duck feet", good image. I usually describe my own feet as having become like "lion paws" in the course of my evolution as a dancer. They weren't like that before, but they engage with the floor so differently now.