The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
337: Plantar Fasciitis & Yoga with Diana Zotos Florio
Description:
Plantar fasciitis is a common problem that 1 in 10 people will experience in their lifetime. As a yoga teacher, you are likely to encounter someone who is experiencing this painful condition in your yoga classes, or you may even have it yourself. Yoga can be a helpful tool to manage plantar fasciitis. Diana Zotos Florio shares some tips and tricks on how to deal with plantar fasciitis.
Diana is the founder of Threes Physiyoga, created to bridge the gap between physical therapy and yoga. She has a science Bachelors, a Masters in physical therapy and has been using yoga in her own life and to treat patients. Diana is driven by her purpose of helping people move and feel best in their bodies by empowering them with knowledge, tools and science-informed strategies in movement, mindfulness, connection and breathwork. She offers 1:1 sessions, has an online studio, and has also been teaching yoga teachers how to integrate physical therapy science into their practice and teaching.
Diana explains what plantar fasciitis is, the common symptoms that someone with plantar fasciitis might experience, and the role of a yoga teacher when a student approaches them with this condition. She also shares some exercises that can help address the root causes of this inflammatory condition and how to manage it. Diana and Shannon also discuss the benefits of barefoot walking, balance poses, calf stretching and more.
Key Takeaways:
[3:59] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Diana Zotos Florio.
[6:34] What does Diana do and who does she do it for
[8:15] What is plantar fasciitis?
[10:47] What does plantar fasciitis feel like for people who experience it?
[12:51] If someone has plantar fasciitis (or pain in their feet), who might a yoga teacher refer them to?
[13:55] What do physiotherapists do to help people with plantar fasciitis?
[17:33] Diana explains what "load" means in the context of plantar fasciitis.
[20:04] Shannon pops in to share a question from a podcast listener about booking software and how OfferingTree can support you if you have the same question!
[23:14] What are some things in yoga that can help someone with plantar fasciitis?
[27:42] How can you try out ball rolling at home to manage plantar fasciitis?
[30:50] Diana explains more about the "tripod foot".
[34:10] Shannon and Diana discuss going barefoot.
[36:03] What are some frustrating myths or misinformation that Diana has encountered about plantar fasciitis?
[38:10] What can people do if they're experiencing pain in their feet first thing in the morning? Diana also shares some other tips and tricks.
[40:43] Connect with Diana and learn more from her via her website and on Instagram!
[41:33] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.
Links:
Plantar Fasciitis Stretches to Ease Heel Pain - Threes Physiyoga
Foot Injury Support + Protection : Help for Plantar Fasciitis
Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Series with Sarah Garden
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 336: Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain with Sarah Garden
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"Being barefoot is one of the best things you can do for any foot injury."
"If you have plantar fasciitis or fasciosis for a long time, over time, your balance of proprioception can decrease just because of disuse."
"Inherently, people don't want to do that. They wanna kind of get the band aid, quick fix and move on. And I think that's just human nature."
"Especially as we age and we move less, it's really important to move."