Yoga alone can't heal your bunions, the bony bumps at the base of your big toes that are often caused by shoes that are too tight. Corrective surgery is required to ease the pain in most cases, and severe bunions may impede any physical activity. However, the toe-spreading alignment encouraged during yoga, especially in Bikram's standing postures, can promote healthier toe growth and development over time. Always consult a doctor about the best course of treatment for your condition.
Bikram Basics
Bikram yoga is a series of 26 yoga poses practiced in a room heated to around 105 degrees Fahrenheit. According to yoga theory, this temperature allows the muscles to be more flexible and helps sweat out toxins. Unlike other types of yoga, there is no vinyasa flow between poses in a Bikram class; you simply transition from one pose to the next naturally. Twelve of the 26 poses are done while standing on at least one foot, so if your bunions irritate you while standing barefoot, you may experience this irritation during a Bikram class.
Footwear
A common cause of bunions is wearing shoes that are too tight, or too narrow or pointy. If footwear is to blame for your bunions, you might find yoga -- either Bikram or another kind -- to be kinder on your feet than activities that require special footwear, as yoga is performed barefoot. In yoga, you are supposed to be able to stretch and spread your toes in most poses; doing so could be therapeutic for bunions, which occur when your toes are crammed too close together.
Treatment and Complications
Surgery is the only way to completely treat bunions. Although they may not bother you enough to consider surgery, bunions can become inflamed, causing a painful condition called bursitis, which can develop at many different places in the body. If you develop bursitis, consult a doctor for advice. In addition to corrective surgery, you may need to take time off from your normal activities, including yoga.
Yoga for Feet
Yoga can help you build awareness of how you stand and treat your feet in everyday life. While standing in mountain pose during a Bikram class, pay attention to your posture. Your feet should be pushing into the ground while also lifting you up, bringing with them a sense of energy holding up your body. When you get used to this posture, it's easier to spread your toes and move them around, leading to happier, healthier feet.
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