Stronger Feet = Longer Life

When we think about strength and longevity, most people focus on heart health, core stability, or building muscle, but how often do you consider strengthening your feet?

One study revealed something that should make us all take notice: toe weakness and deformities significantly increase the risk of falls in older adults.

That’s right. Weak toes, especially the big toe, were strongly linked to falling. And falls remain one of the leading causes of injury and loss of independence in aging populations.

In the study, researchers followed over 300 adults ages 60-90 for a year. Those who experienced falls had noticeably weaker toe flexor strength and were more likely to have foot deformities like bunions and curled toes.

Here’s the key takeaway:

Weaker feet = higher risk of falling.
Stronger feet = greater stability, mobility, and independence as we age.

And this isn’t just a concern for seniors. These issues often begin long before we notice them. Years of wearing narrow, restrictive shoes (high heels for women, stiff boots for men), walking on hard surfaces like asphalt, and avoiding barefoot movement can gradually weaken the foot muscles and change the way we walk and balance.

The good news?


You can train your feet just like any other part of your body. Intentional foot strengthening, barefoot movement, toe mobility exercises, and even simply walking on the earth can make a profound difference, now and for the long term.

In the Therapeutic Yoga Method, we weave in deliberate toe and ankle movements in nearly every class because they’re foundational to balance, mobility, and nervous system regulation. Movements like dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, ankle circles, toe curls, and using a strap around the ball of the foot and the big toe aren’t random…they’re targeted, functional practices that retrain the brain-body connection, strengthen the small stabilizing muscles, and improve proprioception.

Practicing these movements repeatedly helps restore foot function, reduce stiffness, and reverse years of disuse or compensatory patterns. Over time, this kind of focused work supports better posture, more stable walking mechanics, and a reduced risk of falls. Especially as we age!

Your foundation matters. Strong feet aren’t just about comfort. They’re about confidence, freedom, and longevity.

A consistent yoga practice is one of the best investments in your future mobility, confidence, and quality of life.

It’s never too late to start again!

There are many ways to begin and nurture your Therapeutic Yoga Method practice!

🖤 Book a class in the Sedona studio

🖤 Join our virtual online studio

🖤 Get Access to Full Body Reset (a 3-class, no prop video series) only $39!

🖤 Join the Therapeutic Yoga Method online Teacher Training program

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