Question: Can Doing Yoga Therapy Fix my Flat Feet?
Yoga for flat feet is a common topic in my sessions—right up there with tight hamstrings as something people confess to with a bit of regret or even shame. But here’s the truth: I’m not necessarily trying to “fix” you. That doesn’t mean yoga therapy can’t help—keep reading for the nuance!
Does Having Flat Feet Cause Problems?
The short answer is (as usual): it depends. There are different types of flat feet, and they don’t all behave the same way. Some people have flexible flat feet that function beautifully. Others may have weak or rigid feet that struggle to push off the ground or absorb impact efficiently. I’ve worked with both.
I also happen to own a couple of feet with extremely high, rigid arches that are weak in many ways – it’s not only about what the foot looks like.
Can Yoga Therapy / Yoga for Flat Feet Help my Feet Hurt Less?
Now this is the real question behind most people’s concerns: “Can yoga help my flat feet hurt less?”
And the answer to that question is a resounding yes.
Sometimes people even see improvements in foot pain and function through attending general yoga classes because of the balance and varied leg positions used in yoga poses, but often a more personalized approach is needed to really see improvements.
Yoga for Flat Feet: It’s Not Just About the Foot
Make sure you’re working with someone who understands how feet work, and how it relates to what’s happening up the body. I see lots of connections between foot issues and things going on in the low back, hips, and pelvic floor, so a weak or rigid foot is not just about the foot.
What to Expect from Working with a Therapist on Yoga for Flat Feet
If you come to me for yoga therapy and have flat feet, here’s how I’d typically begin:
- I would observe how your feet move in real life (walking, standing, shifting weight)
- We would build strength and coordination through the feet, ankles, knees, and hips
- We would improve your proprioception and balance
- We’d train the arches in your feet to respond dynamically to movement
Yoga for flat feet isn’t about “fixing” your arches—it’s about helping your whole body move with more ease, strength, and support from the ground up.
The video from my YouTube channel that I’m sharing today will give you a taste of some things you can do to strengthen your feet. Even if you don’t have flat feet, you might well benefit from some strengthening (along with other interventions), so feel free to give this a try.
As with any other general practice, not all of these will be right for everyone, so if you’re having pain during the yoga therapy practice or want to make sure you’re doing the right things for your particular body, please seek a therapist to get more support.
