Yoga Toes

[Monica]

Has anyone tried Yoga Toes? If so, mind sharing your experiences?

The website is bit 'rah-rah', but the concept is appealing to my very strong but also tired, hard working, and kinda misshapen feet!

Would love any feedback, critiques, or testimonials y'all might have about this product.

Shukran!

M.


Edited to add: One fear I have about these is that I *hate* flip flops. I cannot bear to walk around with anything between my toes. But I can handle those little pedicure toe separator thingies for bit. Not sure if that will be important, but there it is!

[bul_bul_ksa]

My yoga teacher used to swear by the pedicure separators - she used to wear them in the house, when she went to bed etc and I must admit...it's something I do as well.

I haven't tried yoga toes only because I think the pedicure separators work just as well at a fraction of the price. I do think if you have a problem with thongs (what you call flipflops) or pedicure separators that you would have a problem with yoga toes. This concept of yoga toes was taken a step further - they even make thongs with separators to go in between each toe!

Why not just gradually use pedicure separators (can even wear them while you are asleep!) and do some foot stretches (practice picking tissues etc up from the floor with your feet etc etc)?

[Monica]

Thanks, Bul Bul, that makes a lot of sense. I'll wear my pink pedi separators for a bit and see how it goes. I cant imagine sleeping in them, but we'll see!

[mahsati]

Originally Posted by bul_bul_ksa

My yoga teacher used to swear by the pedicure separators - she used to wear them in the house, when she went to bed etc and I must admit...it's something I do as well.

I haven't tried yoga toes only because I think the pedicure separators work just as well at a fraction of the price. I do think if you have a problem with thongs (what you call flipflops) or pedicure separators that you would have a problem with yoga toes. This concept of yoga toes was taken a step further - they even make thongs with separators to go in between each toe!

Why not just gradually use pedicure separators (can even wear them while you are asleep!) and do some foot stretches (practice picking tissues etc up from the floor with your feet etc etc)?

Just out of curiosity - what is the purpose of these things? The pictures look uncomfortable to me and I am just nor sure what they would be doing that would be helpful. Can anyone with a good understanding of the idea behind this let me in on what this does?

[*Shira*]

For about 15 years, I wore pointy-toed pumps to work every day. Although I didn't realize it at the time, I think they were a size too small for me. (They were the size that the shoe store gauge said I should wear, but I later came to realize that my particular foot shape is such that a bigger size is better for me.) As a result, my toes became deformed, into a permanent pointy shape even when I was barefoot. I had a lot of foot pain (on the ball of the foot, behind the second toe) as a result.

Anyway, I have found that wearing pedicure separators did an IMMENSE amount of good for me in counteracting the damage done by years of wearing those shoes. Between my big toe and second toe, I wore a cosmetic sponge because I needed something bigger than the tabs on the pedicure separator.

When I first started using the pedicure separator, I found that 10 minutes was enough. After that, the toes started to hurt a little. Over time, as my toes got used to it and the muscles adjusted to the position, I reached the point of being able to wear it an hour at a time before it start to hurt. I still can't imagine sleeping with it, though. Ouch!

[perizaad]

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Between my big toe and second toe, I wore a cosmetic sponge because I needed something bigger than the tabs on the pedicure separator.

There's a company called Bunheads that makes gel separators that would be great for this problem. They're for pointe-shoe wearers, but they're great for any foot problems like the ones you described. They can be worn with pretty much and shoe, and they can be washed and re-used...

[madrinaraqs]

I bought the Yoga Toes sometime last year. At first I wore them every night for about 15-20minutes. Then they would start to become uncomfortable.
I havent used them for a long time now. I think the main reason is I forget to put them on! I did not wear use them long enough to notice a difference. I will admit though that immediately after taking them off, my feet felt "refereshed"! I think it is best to wear them while taking a bath. Much easier to put on in the tub also!!

[badriya_al_ahmar]

I have a pair and like them very much. I find they provide a nice supported stretch to the bottom of the foot and have helped combat my tendency towards hammertoes on the little toes. I'm not a flip flop or thong person either but these feel very different to me, maybe because the pressure is just side to side and not pulling up or down.

That said, they are quite expensive so the pedicure things might work just as well.

I would never be able to sleep with mine on because my ferret would eat them ;-)

[badriya_al_ahmar]

Originally Posted by perizaad

There's a company called Bunheads that makes gel separators that would be great for this problem. They're for pointe-shoe wearers, but they're great for any foot problems like the ones you described. They can be worn with pretty much and shoe, and they can be washed and re-used...

One advantage of the Yoga Toes over this kind of separator is that in addition to separating the toes, they also lift them upwards, and that's what gets you a stretch through the arch of the foot.

[*Shira*]

Originally Posted by badriya_al_ahmar

One advantage of the Yoga Toes over this kind of separator is that in addition to separating the toes, they also lift them upwards, and that's what gets you a stretch through the arch of the foot.

That's useful to know. Can you also comment on how they may differ from pedicure separators?

[HotDogYogini]

The thing to do is, after you use one of these products, then try to do the same thing on your own in tadasana (mountain pose) & all standing poses. And walking barefoot.

[badriya_al_ahmar]

Originally Posted by *Shira*

That's useful to know. Can you also comment on how they may differ from pedicure separators?

I've never used a pedicure separator, so I can't comment from experience. Looking at photos of pedicure separators online, though, I note one structural difference in that the yoga toes are curved to fit the top of the foot snugly, so all the toe separators can go right down to the base of the toes all the way across the foot. The between the toe bits also seem thicker, and there's a piece across the top to help hold the toes in place. Most of the pedi separator things look like they are made of foam, and the yoga toes are made of a much more durable material, a rubbery material with a slightly gel-like quality that won't compress over time. I do expect that my yoga toes will last forever, provided I can keep the ferret away from them. He thinks they would make a wonderful chew toy

[badriya_al_ahmar]

Originally Posted by HotDogYogini

The thing to do is, after you use one of these products, then try to do the same thing on your own in tadasana (mountain pose) & all standing poses. And walking barefoot.

I think my yoga toes have definitely been helpful in training my feet for standing poses and for building foot strength in general. I do still think they are much too expensive, but I'm glad that I bought mine.

[Monica]

This is so helpful--thank you all for the input (and keep it coming, of course).

I have been wearing my pedicure separator each night this week for a few hours and I can definitely feel the difference both when I do my morning yoga and in the way my feet feel throughout the day in general. I can't put what feels different into words, yet, but something is shifting, and it is good.

In fact, this makes me want the larger yoga toes a bit more. I think I will give it another few weeks and see 1) how my feet feel after flamenco class (I generally go twice a week and have some problems immediately afterwards, though I also need to try changing my dance shoes from leather to suede) and 2) when my feet go from warm to cold rapidly (very common where I live as everything is kind of chilly all the time, especially dance studios and my old drafty Victorian flat!).

My feet have always been strong and fairly dextrous. I am looking to keep it that way as I start to feel some problems.

BTW, I also found some knock-off styles of the yoga toes on ebay for much less. That might take a bit more research, though!

[Safiyah]

I think I remember seeing these things on sale a few times, so it might be smart to wait and see if they have a holiday sale...I remember them being 50% off