This was a bit of a strange phenomenon. About 3 months into starting Ashtanga yoga, I started getting pins and needles in my feet, mostly in my toes actually. I thought it was because I was becoming more flexible and my forward bends were cutting off the circulation to my feet. I tried to look up on the internet to see if I was right, but there was absolutely no information about pins and needles and yoga. I wasn’t too surprised, as I said, it’s a bit of a strange phenomenon.

I thought I could put up with it and eventually it’ll go away as the blood vessels learn to cope with the pressure. I was wrong and it only got worse and didn’t look like it was going to go away. It got so bad at one point that I couldn’t feel or wiggle my toes! So I approached C after class and told her about my tingly feet and toes and she said that problems with the feet and toes usually stem from the lower back and that she notices that I collapse into my pelvis not in my poses and also when I walk.

So ever since then, I’ve been concentrating on not collapsing my pelvis, that is, having my pubic bone stick out in front. I’m more aware of the problem during the day as well and I take particular care when I’m in yoga practice. Ever since then, my pins and needles have slowly gone away and after yesterday’s class, I noticed for the first time… no pins and needles!