Kathryn's Story: Recovering from Plantar Fasciitis Through Yoga

A note from Louisa

One of the things I love most about teaching is watching someone realise their body is capable of more than they believed. Kathryn came to us after 18 months of heel pain — here's her story, in her own words.

The problem

About 18 months ago, I started to experience pain in my right heel. I also had times when I was unable to put my foot down on the floor in the morning without some discomfort.

After an extended period of walking that left me in excruciating pain, I decided to see a physio. The physio confirmed it was plantar fasciitis. Along with some exercises to do, she recommended I return to yoga. I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to manage the class, and I had forgotten what it was like to be able to walk somewhere without pain.

The turning point

After my first class, I noticed a difference. The next day I was able to walk without pain in my foot for the first time in many months.

The honest bit

During the classes I really struggle with bridges. I have been working on lifting one foot off the ground in a bridge but I really struggle, as neither leg seems to be strong enough to hold me up on its own.

I also find lunges really challenging for the same reason. In a lunge I'm scared of breaking my toes and really feel uncomfortable on the balls of my feet.

What I've learned

Working on the whole body has been so important for me, and made me realise this isn't just a foot problem. There are so many aspects of my body and movement patterns that are contributing to it. I have been aware of the differences I have in my right and left sides, in both strength and range of movement, especially in my hips.

Previously, whenever I had done yoga elsewhere I would struggle to do standing poses due to heel pain and pain along the outside edge of my foot, but that hasn't happened in these classes.

It was such a relief to feel like I would be able to work on this and reduce the pain and impact it was having on me.

Where I am now

The classes have been very important for my recovery, and although each session can bring positive changes, it is the consistency that I need to work on in order to effectively manage and maintain progress.

If you're managing pain like Kathryn was, or simply curious about what whole-body movement could do for you, book a class, I'd love to help.