On Yoga and Healthy Walking with Tereza Hýsková
Dear barefoot enthusiasts, we are happy to introduce Terka Hýsková, a yoga instructor from Olomouc, through today's interview. In addition to yoga, she is interested in healthy walking and barefoot footwear. Does Terka have a favorite pose? And what exercises would she recommend for healthy feet? Read on to find out more in today's article!
When did you start practicing yoga? What led you to it?
I discovered yoga at the age of seventeen in the form of Power Yoga. At that time, I had finished with competitive aerobics, and my body was a bit worn out. Thanks to yoga, I managed to get it back into shape.
Which pose is your favorite? And why?
I like the one that best relaxes my body and mind that day the most; it's different every time. Every day is different.
How much time do you dedicate to exercising?
I teach 2-3 classes every day, and I have private yoga sessions on weekends, so actually quite a lot. In the summer, I rest a bit because some classes don't run. I think it is important to rest and perhaps not exercise at all for a week or two, or just do light exercise.
Who are your classes in Olomouc intended for? Do you have classes for beginners and advanced students?
Our studio offers classes for the whole family, so I would start gradually: Yoga for pregnancy, Mama Yoga - yoga for moms after childbirth with babies and toddlers from 2 months to 3 years old. We also organize Adventure Yoga courses for children according to age groups (3-14 years), and Yoga courses for beginners and intermediates. Quite popular are our Couple's Yoga, Power Yoga, or Vinyasa Flow Yoga classes. So, really anyone can exercise with us. And that's what it's about - yoga is for everyone; even everyday movement can be yoga and vice versa. In addition to regular classes, we also organize yoga retreats for families with children, weekend retreats for women, and this year we went on a yoga retreat for couples for the second time, and it was great!
And is it possible to sign up?
If someone would like to join us, our activities and reservations are available on our website.
Do you think there is a connection between yoga and healthy walking?
Definitely. Once a person stands on their feet, their gait begins to shape their entire posture. When I have private sessions, I often ask clients to stand up first, then bend forward, straighten up, and finally walk. People often use the surface of their feet incorrectly, not engaging them fully, and most often this is due to poorly chosen footwear. Footwear that restricts the foot from moving not only deforms it, but also prevents all the muscles and ligaments from working as they should. I most often encounter disengaged, variously turned-in or turned-out little toes. Big toes also reveal a lot. I would say the most important thing is to learn to stand flexibly - with children, we practice healthy walking using various barefoot sensory paths. For adults, I recommend starting by walking barefoot on grass. There are already many exercises for activating the feet on the internet, but it is good to seek out a professional. It is not for nothing that a yogic proverb says: "The feet are the gateway to the body."
What influence does regular yoga practice have on body structure or walking style?
I think it can have a great influence. Regular yoga practice gives a person peace and a flexible body at the same time. As I have already said, the practice influences your walking style; that is clearly established.
Would you recommend any exercises for stretching the legs and feet?
There are quite a lot of exercises, so I will try what we can all do for ourselves every day. Try engaging your feet by walking on terrain that is new to them. This can be grass, a shaggy carpet, pebbles, or sand. Try picking up objects from the ground using your toes - just like hands, feet are, after all, grasping organs. Try tickling or stimulating those parts of the foot that you know you cheat with while walking, so that an impulse is sent to the brain so it can say, "Aha! I'm not using this part of my body."
"The feet are the gateway to the body. Just like hands, feet are, after all, grasping organs."
What about you and barefoot?
I generally like barefoot. I think, for example, that for the outdoors on natural terrain, it's the best thing there can be, but I would rather not walk in them through a concrete city. If I do, I would definitely combine them with other footwear, but footwear that doesn't crush the toes! If a person doesn't know how to walk properly barefoot, a shoe won't teach them. You have to be mindful and start thinking while walking. Barefoot is great for that; people realize how big their foot actually is.
Would you recommend barefoot to everyone?
A difficult question. Yes, but you have to learn to step nicely in them. And as I have already said, rather in nature than in the city.
Do you think it is appropriate to switch directly from regular footwear to barefoot?
At the beginning, I would combine original footwear with barefoot ones, and once the foot gets used to it and comes to life, then you can easily go barefoot full-time.
It is said that conscious walking and increased sensitivity in the feet lead to better stability of the whole body. Do you think this is true? And if so, why?
I agree with that. We lack conscious walking here; overall, humanity could slow down a little with conscious walking. As the saying goes, "nothing can stand without a solid foundation," so everything starts from the feet. This is best seen in toddlers, how beautifully they use their feet, and then they suddenly stand up and a new stage begins - the child is walking, and we should be watching how.
Have you encountered anyone in your practice who needed help with foot deformities?
With every client, it starts with the feet. So yes, feet are addressed in every class; that is simply the foundation!
Tereza Hýsková is an instructor at the Joga Centrum in Olomouc and has been practicing yoga herself since she was seventeen. In addition to practicing yoga, she also focuses on foot exercises and tries to connect elements of yoga with healthy walking. FB: @jogacentrumolomouc