by Lucy Howlett
Have you tried barefoot shoes? (Not the funky, separated toe ones, which instantly make me look like a clown!). There are now several brands making great ‘minimalist’ footwear as it’s called and lots of different styles. Vivobarefoot seem to have the biggest range; from beautiful ballet pumps to walking boots! They also do kids shoes for both school and play. Especially if you are a keen runner, I highly recommend you look at the awesome information on the ‘Walk before you can run’ section on their website.
“The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.” Leonardo da Vinci
I have to agree with the above statement. Our feet are incredibly well designed, to carry us around the earth from those first steps as a wee one into old age. Look at these beautiful baby feet! They need looking after throughout your life, so pay some attention to your strong yet sensitive soles.
by Jonathan Fitch freedigitalphotos.net
Did you know there are 26 bones, 33 joints and over one hundred muscles in the foot? Wearing rigid soled shoes or trainers with a thick layer of foam between your foot and the earth means these muscles in the foot can become lazy and underused. As muscles do not work in isolation and play their part elsewhere in the body also, a poor gait can and often does lead to problems further up the body.
I have two pairs (Merrell and Vivo) of barefoot shoes and I simply love the way they feel. It is surprising (or not) how pleasurable — and also *mindful — something as simple as walking in closer contact with the ground beneath you can be. That’s even more the case when walking on grass or the beach; with the sensations of grass, sand, pebbles or water between the toes.
by khunaspix freedigitalphotos.net
*“Mindfulness; a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.” New Oxford American Dictionary
If we desire a greater understanding of and connection with our true selves, we should all be more in tune with our bodies. Starting from the ground up and walking barefoot is one way you can do just that. Reading about the Tarahumara tribes in Mexico in ‘Born To Run’ by Christopher McDougall was initially what led me to barefoot shoes. It’s a very good, amusing and inspiring book.
Explore the joy of walking barefoot! As always, let me know how you get on and what you discover!
Me, squatting in my Merrell shoes. Photo by Skye Brackpool: http://www.skyebrackpool.co.uk
