I have been practicing yoga for 3 years happily and regularly with no issues. All of a sudden when in downward dog and extending my heels toward floor I have sharp electric pain running behind both heels which abates as soon as I reverse the move. No bottom of heel pain. Doesn’t hurt when I walk but it feels like I would tear something if I continued. Anybody ever hear of such a thing?
Hello Kevin.
Welcome to the board and thank you for posting.
Have you addressed this with your teacher? That is often the first protocol since it is that person who has both observed and guided your asana practice. There are only three reasons I can think of for not doing so; not having a teacher, not having cultivated a relationship between yourself and the teacher, and simply not wanting to. Each of these is a topic unto itself.
Generally speaking there is causality behind all things and therefore rarely an “all of a sudden”. Though I’ll point out that sometimes that which is behind a thing is very, very subtle. It can be as simple as thoughts.
Continuing to speak generally, the sort of feeling you describe in muscle could be “okay” however, when a student classifies the feeling as “sharp” or “electric” AND that feeling is close to or in a joint, this is not an appropriate effect of the practice when safety is paramount.
Consider exploring additional work on safe poses that open the hamstrings and perhaps some specific work on opening the calf muscles. Meanwhile, shift the focus of the pose to the spine by micro-bending the knees and not working the heels toward the floor with such fervor. If after six weeks of diligent hamstring/calf work you have the same issue then it needs to be re-evaluated. Also bear in mind that there is connective tissue (fascia) which runs down the back body from the occipital ridge (back of skull) all the way to the big toe mound.
My concern would be your achilles tendon so please be gentle and use care.
gordon