From Sole to Soul – The Power of Your Feet in Yoga & Life with Michelle Edmison

Our feet are truly the foundation for how we move through both yoga and life, yet they’re often the most neglected part of the body. I’ve wanted to have this conversation for a long time, and who better to join me than physical therapist and movement educator Michelle Edmison? Michelle has an incredible gift for turning dense anatomy into something deeply practical and relatable. We dive into how our feet shape our balance, posture, and longevity, and how reconnecting with them can change everything from your yoga practice to your overall health.

This conversation covers everything from structure and function to the fascinating brain-foot connection. We talk about how modern footwear has changed our feet, how aging and hormones affect foot health, and why being barefoot can be so powerful. Michelle also shares her top three non-negotiables for strong, healthy feet; practices that anyone can start right away. If you’re a yoga teacher, movement nerd, or simply curious about how to support your foundation, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

Episode Highlights:

• Why the feet are considered the true foundation of the body
• How modern footwear has weakened natural foot function
• Common ways our feet change as we age, and why it’s not just about aging
• The powerful brain-foot connection and how movement shapes neuroplasticity
• The nervous system’s relationship with the feet and sensory input
• Emotional sensitivity, trauma, and how they can manifest in the feet
• The real purpose of the toes: stability and propulsion, not gripping
• What dancers, athletes, and yogis can teach us about foot function
• Understanding bunions and common foot issues: what causes them, how alignment affects them, and how yoga can help
• The truth about arches, pronation, and flat feet
• How women’s feet change during perimenopause and menopause
• Michelle’s top three non-negotiable practices for foot health
• Why a “foot problem” is never just about the foot

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• Michelle’s free 15-minute Foot Mobility Routine
• Foot Mobility Exercises
• Let’s Talk Yoga Episode 182 – The Body of Breath – A Physiotherapist’s Guide to Healthy Breathing with Michelle Edmison
• Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January)
• Free upcoming workshop: “Queuing for Yoga Teachers – From Gross to Subtle” (November 14, 10 a.m. PT)
• In-Studio 200-Hour Yoga Study Program (Redmond/Seattle)
• Join our mailing list
• Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube
• Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube
• Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!