Can you touch your toes? Does it matter?

Touching toes is probably the simplest but the hardest movement for many people, especially people who are suffering from chronic back pain.

You've gotta be able to bend over to put on socks, wash your face, pick up kids...the list goes on!

You might be working on it for months or years to get a few inches down or you already gave up on it.

But it doesn’t always have to be this way.

In this video, you’ll learn…

• Awareness of the pain or tightness areas

• How to assess your mobility

• One easy technique to move mindfully, and

• With a few little tweaks, you can easily touch your toes pain-free instantly.

This is not just about touching your toes; it will open up every possibility you have ever imagined.

It's NOT all about spending hours stretching your hamstrings, working on your core muscles, or fixing your spine.

It's about how you move. And you'll get moving mindfully now!

I've got your back,

Yuji Kitano

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Touching toes is probably the simplest but the hardest movement for many people, especially people who are suffering from chronic back pain.

You might be working on it for months or years to get a few inches down or you already gave up on it.

but it doesn’t always have to be this way.

with a few little tweaks, you can easily touch your toes pain-free instantly.

And this is not just about touching your toes, but it will open up every possibility you ever imagined.

Hi, Yuji here from Kitano Method,
I’m a physiotherapist, trainer to Para-Olympic athletes and celebrities from Japan and I help you eliminate your pain, get you moving and live the life you always wanted.

If you're new here, make sure you click that subscribe button and if you're seeing the value in this video, make sure you're giving it a thumbs up because it really makes a huge difference.

Let’s get into it.

Touching toes or bending over is probably the most common movement in our lives. Like, washing your face, vacuuming, putting socks on, picking up groceries from the floor, even getting up from the couch, you need to bend.

But most people think that it takes months and years of practice. Well, here at the Kitano Method, with Japanese mindful movements, we do things differently...more efficiently and effectively...and best of all for you, we get you moving again starting now.

Let me tell you about my client Trish. She had chronic back pain. After a tragic horse-riding accident and multiple surgeries, she couldn't touch her knees, let alone put on shoes for 8 years! Brr...winter in sandals gets cold!

So I taught her this simple 1 2 3 Ichi Ni San method and this winter, her toes are warm.

Trish Video:

Now, what I am going to teach you is exactly what I taught her over the screen.

and this time, it's your turn.

Before you start, we always go through the assessment. It’s not a test to pass or fail you.

We just want to check before and after, so we know if it actually works or not.

As you bend over, you need to think about how you feel.

Not just about touching toes or how far you can reach but
Do you feel pain?
Is it your familiar pain?
Stiffness or tightness?
Feeling confident or fearful?

Remember this is only the assessment, not the exercise. So please do only do it once or twice.

Video: Toe touch demo

Ok, How did you go?

Now, let's get you to touch your toes.

First, you stand shoulder-width apart with your feet parallel.

Then put both hands just under your pelvis, like this.

Keep your back straight and bend your knees a little bit.

Avoid your knees coming in.

Shift the weight forward toward your toes.

then bend over while squeezing your little fingers with your hips as much as you can. just like bowing.

Do this movement a couple of times.

Then this time, as you bend over as much as you can, then drop your both hands.

You should be touching your toes or reach down further compared to what you did with the assessment.

That's it!

How was it?

So simple isn't it!?

It's not all about spending hours stretching your hamstrings, working on your core muscles, or fixing your spine.

It's more about how you move.

If you are able to touch your toes for the first time or bend over without pain, congratulations!

Please give us a thumbs up and write your experience in the comment.

I just want to make a point here.

This is not just about being able to touch your toes or not.

It’s actually how you touch your toes by being mindful of your body.

This is just the beginning of all the movements you ever imagined to live pain-free.

If you couldn't put your socks or shoes on without pain before like Trish, try it now. you will be surprised!

Even if you were already able to touch your toes, this will benefit all of your movements, even your sports performance.

Video: Call to Action

Some of you might be thinking, yes! I can touch my toes! But why? How does this work?

So, in the next video, I will show you why and how does this mindful movement work.

It’s all about understanding our body mechanics and being mindful.

I will see you soon.