Take Off Your Shoes and Walk Barefoot

Have you heard that people are beginning to take partencourages mid foot strike and preventing hard
in the "new" barefoot running exercise based on theunnatural heel strikes and encourages natural posture
new book, "Born to Run"?and motion. It is only in the past 30 years that running
I grew up when life was simple and natural. As a kid itshoes have become laden with padding, arch supports
was normal to go outside and play in our bare feet. Iand technical advances that countless studies and
remember the feel of the grass on my feet and themedical professionals show are doing more harm than
fun of jumping in a pool of water barefoot. I alsogood. People are realizing that barefoot is really a way
remember bee stings, cuts and bruises that my momto go. Can this be contributed to people looking for
or dad would always "fix" for us and send us on ourback-to-basics, simplicity and natural ways of living -
way back outside. I recall putting my bare foot to thegoing green, so to speak?
metal pedal of my bike and feeling the power ofFor the majority of people barefoot is the healthiest
speed. There were only two times we wore shoes: 1)way to be for the body. However, it is too risky for
at school and 2) at church services. Kids wear flipmost of us to strip off our shoes and go for a
flops or some foot covering now when they playbarefoot walk/run (unless on a sandy beach). I have
outside. However, the sensory perception and knowingread that "The VivoBarefoot shoe has a uniquely thin
what is going on in the earth beneath our feet is anand puncture resistant sole (a patented technology)
experience they are missing.that gives all the protection of normal shoes and the
Considering the fact that almost all of us are wearinghealth benefits of walking barefoot". If nothing else, it is
improper shoes and damaging our feet only highlightsrecommended that you walk barefoot around your
that we need to spend time finding, purchasing andhome - inside and outside - to see if barefoot walking
wearing the proper shoes. And, go barefoot wheneveris the "new" activity for you.
we can--safely. Barefoot running or walking