Most of us take our toes and feet for granted, except for when we get a stellar pedicure that has us admiringly gazing at our polished and shining tootsies. But for dancers, yoga practitioners and even diabetics, the appreciation and care for these 10 digits goes far beyond the newest O.P.I. color.
Enter YogaToes. Different from yoga socks, which are slip-resistant five-toed socks that you can wear on or off the yoga mat, YogaToes are “a vacation for your feet.” Similar to the dividers your pedicurist will slip in between your toes as you wait for them to be exfoliated, buffed, polished and dried, YogaToes are that and much more.
The ergonomic design of YogaToes works between, above and beneath toes to stretch them apart from each other, away from the ball of the foot and down from the top of the foot. To simulate this effect, spread your fingers apart and out as far as you can. You can feel the muscles working and stretching. Tight, weak muscles become flexible and stronger, the posture of your foot can realign, and the muscles are strong enough to support improved posture. Stretching and working the muscles also increases circulation.
The design of YogaToes claims to help those who suffer from hammertoes, bunions, plantar fasciitis, poor circulation and crossed toes. But you don’t need a diagnosed podiatric condition to wear them. If your feet have been crammed in a pair of tight-fitting stilettos, you can simply slip on a pair and let your poor tootsies breathe.
But don’t let the name fool you: YogaToes are not made to be worn while doing yoga. They are also not meant to be worn underneath shoes or socks and you’re not really even supposed to walk around in them for safety reasons. However, they are actually quite a few fun things you can do with your YogaToes. Check out these creative uses:
- Cool YogaToes in the freezer. They won’t become rigid. Enjoy them on a hot summer day or after a long day in shoes.
- Wear YogaToes in the bathtub. Hot water loosens and relaxes muscles, making for an even more effective and soothing experience.
- Wear YogaToes in the hot tub or swimming pool. Don’t worry – they float.
- YogaToes relieves the pain caused by the highest heels and pointiest shoes. Slip them on under your desk at work.
- Wear YogaToes before or after your workouts to keep your feet fit.
- At night try YogaToes to relax. Wake up refreshed and ready for the day.
YogaToes are purchased in pairs and run $30 to $50. You can buy them in an assortment of pretty colors like pink, clear, lilac and light blue. Even though there are knock-off yoga toes for a less expensive investment, if you’re serious about the health of your feet, you are better off purchasing the authentic product.
And like with anything new, don’t go overboard too quickly. YogaToes should be worn for 10 to 15 minutes everyday gradually working your way up to one hour or longer. And if your feet feel like they are screaming at you when you put them on – keep them on. Your feet are just the reason why YogaToes were created.