Bikram yoga is a type of yoga practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees which a sequence of 26 postures in the same order each time. According to Bikram yoga's website, "yoga changes the condition of the body from the inside out...before you change it, you have to heat it up to soften it... a warm body is a flexible body." Certain Bikram poses strengthen the feet and may benefit foot problems.
Utkatasana - Awkward Pose
Utkatasana, also known as Chair or Fierce pose, is engaged during Bikram yoga's standing sequence. It is one of the only postures in which the heels are lifted off the ground while the entire weight of the body is balancing upon them. This helps to strengthen the heels and ankles, while strengthening and lengthening the calves. The muscles of the upper legs are strengthened as the quadriceps and hamstrings are fully engaged while you bend your knees to get deeper into the posture. Utkatasana is helpful for encouraging circulation in chronically cold feet , and alleviating the pain of arthritis in the legs and feet.
Garurasana - Eagle Pose
Another standing balance pose, Garurasana is the only Bikram yoga posture that opens the 14 largest joints of the skeletal system. According to Bikram's website, Garurasana is designed to increase flexibility in the hips, knees and ankles and betters circulation to these joints. Strength is also developed in Garurasana, and encouraged by the pose's deep twist at the knees and elbows while balancing on one foot at a time. While the balancing foot is strengthened, the ligaments and tendons of the opposite foot are being stretched as you wrap it behind the standing leg.
Padangustasana - Toe Stand
Padangustasana is a posture in which you begin in Vrksasana, or Tree Pose, and slowly come from the standing balance to a seated balance. This movement of balancing from standing to sitting helps strengthen the heels and ankles of one foot, while stretching the muscles of the other foot. Padangustasana is therapeutic for arthritis of the ankles, feet and knees and helps open and loosen the hips.
Dandayamana-Janushirasana - Standing Head to Knee Pose
The Dandayamana-Janushirasana is a pose in which you balance on one leg while extending the opposite leg in front of you as you grab your foot with your hands and bring your head to your knee. The balancing leg, especially the foot, is strengthened as you try to keep it straight and stable, while the outstretched leg is lengthened from toe to hip with the foot stretched to increase overall flexibility.
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