Feeling My Heels

It may not seem like much but it was a marvel to me. About two years ago, I suddenly became aware of feeling a heel strike when walking. Until that moment, I had never felt my heels in any distinct way. What is so strange is that I had no idea that I was missing anything. My gait had so much weight forward that my heels did not play any part in my shuffling movement. Imagine Jar Jar Binks with multiple sclerosis.

Feeling my heels was the result of months of exercises recommended to me by a talented body worker who taught me how to activate my sacrum, yet another undiscovered body part. The tai chi practice provided a way of integrating the new heel awareness into a more balanced movement.