Monday, April 29, 2013

Barefoot holy figures

Mary, Mother of God, appearing as Our Lady of Grace.

In our discussion of holy figures who are barefoot, we begin with Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Mary was not chosen first out of religious preference, but because among holy figures who are barefoot, she represents the most powerful presence among a majority of the world's people, as Catholicism is the largest single religious sect.

Also, Mary stands out among other Christian figures, since every other one we see portrayed in some art form seems to appear in sandals at some point, even Jesus Christ.


Jesus Christ usually is almost barefoot in representational pictures of him; if he is not barefoot, he is wearing sandals. Sandals may have been the normal shoe in the Middle East during his time on Earth, but why then, would artists n the cold nations of Europe still portray him in sandals in countless paintings.
Sandals do, after all, embellish the appearance of the feet. The most important images of Jesus in the Christian world are of the barefoot, risen Christ. He rose triumphantly from the dead, but his wounds were still visible to all. Pictures of this image don’t show the wound in his side, despite its allegorical significance; it is covered by his tunic. We see his palm raised to give blessing, usually without the wound even though his hand was pierced, but the picture typically does show the wounds on his feet. Art is in the eye of the beholder, but it can be accepted that his feet remain to appear wounded in order for him to maintain the human connection between God and sinner.
Mary, as in the Mother of God, as which she is most widely known. In some Matriarchal contexts, she is the Mother God, the female incarnation of God or the Christian co-redeemer. In every case, she is always barefoot.
The holy mother Mary appears barefoot everywhere. No where do we ever find her shod, not in any picture or any statue.
When we see a statue of Our Lady of Grace, we see Mary standing barefoot on top of the world. As the birth-giver of Jesus, She is clearly a symbol of holy power. And Christian scriptures state that she is the only human being besides Jesus himself to be born without "original sin" and to be raised body AND soul to heaven when she departed this Earth. 
As Mary stands barefoot upon the top of the world, her physical position already shouts of goddess-like stature without looking more closely. She is barefoot like all of the pagan goddesses known in Europe in pre-Christian times. And look more closely and see her holy stature is further emphasized by the fact that a poisonous snake lies bleeding beneath her bare feet*
Her indisputable power, holy and goddess-like is clearly demonstrated here. What ordinary human could step on a poisonous snake and kill it, even with shoes on? She is barefoot, and indisputably powerful that she could squash the snake without fear or hesitation in her ability to do so.
The image of Our Lady of Grace has clear, decisive meaning to Christians. The bible prophesized that a pure departure from evil, and a pure representative of good world come and be the gate through which redemption, and the representative redeemer would pass. The holy woman, Mother Mary is the Holy gate, and the redeemer, of course, is Jesus.
Perhaps the western world deemed being barefoot as too god-like for ordinary humans and sinners? Scholars could probably make an indefinite debate of this point. But what we know for sure is that holy figures, in the Christian world and in the realm of every other religion are almost always barefoot.
*The snake symbolizes evil in the bible as the serpent who tempted Adam and Eve. Pagan scholars debate that the snake may have been chosen as the symbol of evil to de-emphasize the snake's previously-revered status as a holy symbol in the pagan world before the coming of Christ. Regardless of one's stance on the holiness or un-holiness of the snake, it does not diminish Mary's position of holy power for the purpose of this image.
 
 
 


Why are holy leaders all portrayed barefoot?

Why are holy leaders all portrayed barefoot? We'll be talking about this very soon! And we'll be welcoming your input!

Mary, Mother of Jesus and regarded by some as the Christian Goddess

Greek goddes Artemis

Buddha

Jesus Christ

Wiccan goddess Rhiannon

A modern adaptation of the Wiccan horned god. His image originated as half-human, with hooves instead of feet, but in human portrayal, he is always barefoot.
 

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Good morning, barefooters, and happy Sunday!  I usually take Sundays off and I doubt I'll deviate from protocol today, but since Sunday is a day of reflection and gratitude for me, I say thank you to all of my readers.

This week, I'll be attending barefoot running lectures and reporting on them, and hopefully will begin work with a local film maker on barefoot fitness.

This week also begins a look at barefoot perspectives in history, namely, how every holy figure in human culture appears to be barefoot.

A point to ponder: was banning barefooting just about demonstrating the capability of being affluent? Or did the human powers that were fear that going barefoot might make people feel pure and god-like, and thus less guilty about themselves...and thus harder to be controlled.....

More to come.



Friday, April 26, 2013

Barefoot run in Boulder, CO

Colorado readers, come join us for a barefoot run!

JOIN US FOR THE DONUT DASH 1K or 5K Sunday, May 5 in Boulder!

Running a race at any pace entitles you to guiltless consumption of fine, all-natural donuts. What could be better at the finish line, especially if your only goal is to finish......well, you'll have to finish twice...first the race, then the donut.

The race is being hosted by Xero Shoes-yes-the running sandals on Shark Tank that our own Steven Sashen wears.

The 1K will be led by none other than Masters All-American sprinter...you guessed it! Steven Sashen. Ultra-runner, Bill Babcock, will take everyone out for the 5k.

It will start at the Xero Shoes office at 5470 Conestoga Ct. Boulder, CO 80301. We'll end up at Dizzy's Donuts, 1606 Conestoga St, Boulder, CO.

www.xeroshoes.com

http://dizzysdonuts.com/

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Barefooting in public

I'm not condoning going barefoot in public buildings. I'm also not saying I've never done it.

There are certain rules of etiquette and social norms we often follow even if they are not required by law.

I will repeat what I read, and that is that many claims that "health codes" prohibit  being barefoot in public places are bogus.

The Society for Barefoot Living has done repeated research to see what is and isn't legal in different states and found few codes that prohibit patrons of stores or restaurants from being barefoot. Establishments are generally left to address the issue at their own discretion.

I took a barefoot hike in a Colorado park and simply forgot to put on shoes afterward, when I walked into the park gift shop to buy a cup of coffee. An employee of the facility told me "health codes" prohibited being barefoot.

I didn't argue the point; I simply went outside to my parked car and got on my sandals that I'd left when I began my hike. After I'd left, I was not able to find any substantiated requirement for wearing shoes in that situation, and that letters from the state issued as late as 2009 verified that the current claim was bogus, provided no laws have changed since then.

I'll leave it up to you to decide for yourself, since I don't make laws in your life.


Photo by fitmarriage.com
 

Barefoot running-hit the pavement

Taking that first barefoot run?  Hit the pavement!   Maybe you've run on the grass but not a hard surface.  It's time to take it to the street. Well, the sidewalk is actually best.

Any runner who trains with me can expect to be on the pavement the first day. That's how my coach, Michael Sandler, taught me, and it is how I will teach every barefoot runner.

Two rules to follow:

  1. Shorten your steps a bit. Shorter steps are generally better for runners in training so that you avoid the bouncing that will come from making too big a stride.
  2. Keep your barefooting distance short.  If you're just getting started, save the barefoot portion of your run for the last 100 yards or so. If you've done a few barefoot stints, you can go a bit further.  If you've already been training in minimalist shoes such as Vibram Five Fingers or similar "toe shoes", free-movement sandals such as Xero Shoes for at least twelve weeks, you can extend your barefoot run at your discretion.
Your first barefoot run may seem easy because it is very natural feeling and very liberating. But the muscles of the ankles and feet are indeed made lazy by traditional running shoes, and you don't want to get fatigued from overuse of those tender muscles, as you'll be sidelined for six weeks, quite easily if you overdo it.

Enjoy your barefoot run. Start spring training now and get your feet, ankles, and legs well-conditioned for barefoot races in the fall!

Thanks for reading!

About the photo: I picked it just because I liked it, and since going barefoot on the pavement was my theme. The photo is by Kevin Neece, and he has an interesting blog on barefoot life.


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Barefoot Shoe Review-Xero Shoes

Simple is better...and makes this shoe the best choice.
 
WHY ALMOST BAREFOOT LOVES XERO SHOES
(and why you will too!)
 
The shoe industry literally created its own bandwagon for minimalist shoes once the barefoot running became a mainstream concept. We have Nike Frees, Merrell "Barefoot" shoes (that are really anything but, given the shape of the sole) and many more.
 
Those of us who were barefooting when it was still an anomaly were drawn to Xero Shoes, a modern version of the running sandals still used by the legendary Tarahumara tribe of southern North America that were made famous by Christopher McDougall's book "Born to Run".
 
The modern version was first introduced as the "Invisible Shoe" by professional runner Steven Sashen and his wife Lena Phoenix. The product name was changed to Xero Shoes and is now a manufactured in Boulder, CO. The company is quite profitable and was featured earlier this year on the popular show Shark Tank.
 
 
The sandal moves in sync with your foot. It allows completely unrestricted, barefoot movement.

 
It also looks cool, can be worn with jeans, shorts and other attire. The sandals are offered with different laces and different-color soles, as well as to choices of sole thickness. I prefer the thinnest one (4mm, vs. 6mm)

 
I must admit I was very surprised at the amount of freedom of movement I had with these sandals,
and yet, they stayed firmly on my feet during lengthy runs. They are now my shoe of choice on days when the pavement is cold and wet enough to require some protection. So long as the air temperature is warm enough to avoid frostbite, I would rather wear these sandals than any shoe.
Total, complete barefoot movement. The sandal does not restrict your foot at all.

If you are a tad too skittish to run barefoot, this shoe is the answer.

If you'd prefer to go barefoot everywhere, but think that doing so is improper, this sandal is for you.

www.xeroshoes.com

Monday, April 22, 2013

Barefoot running basics-every day life

Becoming a barefoot runner has much to do with consciousness. You'll have  greater sense of consciousness as soon as you start.

Some simple, basic practices will help your progress and won't take any more of your time.

If you're not already going barefoot in your home, just do it. The exception will be after a barefoot run, when your arches are tired. That's the time you can put your running shoes on, to support your arches that will be a bit tired, especially when you're still training your feet.

I never wear running shoes anymore, except for fun. Their only purpose in my life is for fashion. After a long, barefoot run, I'll slip into a pair of Birkenstock sandals. They provide needed arch support after a run and once they are broken in, they are doable us who prefer to be barefoot.

Going barefoot at home, this will help train your whole body and build strength in your feet as well.

 
Walk on the balls of your feet for a while each day while doing every day activities. It will help develop your sense of balance, strength, and will awaken your feet. Your brain needs to get reacquainted with those muscles in your ankles and legs that were made lazy and sleepy by years of wearing shoes. This is an easy way to do it.

Also practice the "cookie thief walk". See Archives for post from 04/10/13 for more information.

 
 
And when you're doing your daily Yoga, start "walking" that downward dog. If you haven't started doing Yoga, start doing it.
 


 

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Taking Sunday off

Good morning readers and thanks for stopping by!

Hopefully, the weather will let you take some outdoor barefoot time today.

It's supposed to start raining tomorrow here-I'm very grateful for it given the drought conditions- so today I'll be taking a barefoot hike.

I'll have lots to post this week.

Blessings!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Uploaded videos (playlist)



Barefoot in Russia. Olga Gavva.

Global Barefooter-more from Russia!

Olga Gavva of St. Petersburg, Russia isn't shy about going barefoot. 

Russia may have some of the longest winters outside the arctic, but that doesn't seem to stop Olga and many others from going barefoot. Olga is a barefoot model, dancer and Director of the Chakri Dance Company.

Barefooting is Russia all makes sense when we think of Russia's great lineage of the arts, especially ballet and dancing.

Even in the darkest days of Soviet Communism, when most art forms in Russia were either banned or severely oppressed by the government  the Bolshoi Ballet was world famous for top performances and a sincere point of pride for even the most-oppressed Soviet citizens, and most citizens were indeed quite oppressed.

Olga Gavva, from Facebook, December, 2011.


Russia may not qualify as a free country, but is obviously much freer than before, and Olga's own approach to life shows quite a bit of boldness. She makes it clear that for her, going barefoot isn't just a hobby, but a way of life, and she doesn't stop short of encouraging others.

Many blessings. Пока!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Barefoot Strength Training-Beginning Basics

A common misconception is the idea that you can't strengthen your feet. Even some medical doctors will say "don't go barefoot"; but then again, how else could they sell you orthotics and make you dependent on them forever? But this post wasn't written to bash any members of the medical community.

It was written to tell you that it is indeed possible to strengthen your feet, and to show you an effective, basic technique derived from Yoga that takes only minutes a day.

On a standard Yoga mat, get into Downward Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana). Plant your feet hip-width apart and hands shoulder-width apart. Neck is aligned with straight spine and flat back with head between arms and heels pressing toward the ground and balls of the feet firmly planted and hands pushing into mat with fingers spread out.



Basic downward dog pose.
 
When comfortable in downward dog, prepare for "Dog Walk". You will start by simply "walking in place" on the balls of your feet. One foot up, one foot down. Continue the rhythm, breathing in sync with foot movements.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The Barefoot Doctrine Update

The Barefoot Doctrine is now on the web!  It is part of the Almost Barefoot website that is now under construction.

One noteworthy addition: it's about wearing clogs. Clogs., especially ones with wooden bottoms, are a great choice when we must wear shoes and can't get away with sandals or flip flops.

https://sites.google.com/site/livingalmostbarefoot/the-barefoot-doct

THE BAREFOOT DOCTRINE
1.    Go barefoot in your home forever more. If you already do, then take some time every day to slow down and be aware you are barefoot. Feel, and remember how you feel and what makes it significant. 
2.     Go barefoot outdoors each day for at least a short time and make not of how it feels. What makes it different? What makes it significant? 
3.     Practice Yoga. If you already practice Yoga, practice a bit more. Make it a bigger part of your life. It’s the oldest athletic discipline still practiced in its original form and it is always practiced barefoot. It connects you with the ground and with Earth's magnetic pulse, which matches the magnetic pulse of your body and creates total balance.
4.    Take a barefoot walk or a run. If you're not normally into taking runs or walks, you'll feel the significance easier because the experience will be so new. Take a walk to the mail box, around the block, or in a park. Venture beyond normal boundaries while barefoot to awaken your body and open your mind and heart to a newer, freer state. 
5.     Don’t wear sneakers; wear sandals. Save athletic shoes for activities that require them. Sandals let your feet be more free, and closer to being barefoot. Buy a pair if you don’t currently have some.
6.    Wear clogs when you must wear a closed shoe. Clogs let you keep your sense of barefoot freedom. They can be worn without socks and you can kick them off under the desk or when outside. Closed-back clogs are available when safety requires closed back shoes. If you don’t have any clogs, buy a pair soon.
7.    Try a barefoot sport. Wonderful sports are done barefoot every day: Beach volleyball. Swimming. Pilates. And of course, Yoga. An increasing number of fitness teachers are offer barefoot classes: Aerobics, Zumba, and new classes like willPower & Grace®. Once you try working out this way, you may never go back.
8.    Do something barefoot that's not normally done that way. Create something new! Maybe barefoot soccer. (No one needs cleats!) Or anything else. The choice is yours. The options are countless.
9.    Go barefoot for health. Going barefoot is justified for improving your health. It helps end joint pain and develop muscles made dormant by wearing shoes. It also frees your mind and rekindles your natural awareness. 
10.  Go barefoot in the summer rain. It will give you a new sense of freedom that you'll remember whenever it rains in the future, even when your shoes are on. To do it is to relax and be alive.
11.  Go barefoot for strength. Going barefoot means using every muscle in your feet and legs that you don't use with shoes. As it heightens your awareness it gives you spiritual strength and stability in your connection with the Earth.
 

Go barefoot. With gratitude.

I like my freedom. I like it when my biggest concern is planning my time so that I don't have to wear shoes. But when bombs blow up at the finish line o the race I'd most like to run barefoot, I start to think more that the life I enjoy hangs in delicate balance.

I think of sacrifices made by others so I could live this wonderful life, and as I remember to be a bit more humble, I ask others to share in tis obligation. Let's face it, we want our good lives to remain good.

Today I remember my obligation to the society I live in and all of the people I share it with.

It doesn't mean I won't occasionally go barefoot where I'm "not supposed to" as I've done before and will do again. But I am forced to think more about what it means as a luxury.

In addition to the two people are dead from yesterday's blasts in Boston, three people who were somebody's children, three people who are never coming home, dozens of survivors of the blasts had a foot or leg blow off.

I think of how much I enjoy going barefoot, and the fact that all these injured people can never again enjoy this luxury that is such a conscious part of every day of my life.

This is not written to invoke guilt. Go barefoot. Enjoy it. Love it. Let others know you love it.

And as you do so,  BE GRATEFUL.



Sunday, April 14, 2013

Coming soon.....

Almost Barefoot will have a companion website in the near future. I hope to have it up and running by next week.

This blog will remain active once the website is up as it is convenient for readers and, honestly, it is a lot of fun for me and a success at connecting to many, wonderful people.

The website will include featured people, lifestyle trends and fitness information for barefooters, as well as cool things a barefooter may want to buy.

Featured people and products will be discussed on the blog whenever they are due to be posted on the website.

Blog traffic has be bountiful, thanks to you!

Mnay blessings today!

-Vincent

Friday, April 12, 2013

Barefoot runners & walkers, meet my coach!

I mentioned my coach and mentor Michael Sandler in my last post, and I'll be posting more about him and his wife, Jessica Lee-Sandler. Jessica founded the barefoot running club in Boulder, CO that I am now running (with events coming soon!). Jessica also founded the Runbare Company that has produced two books and a movie.

Jessie and Michael are now touring the country promoting their new book, Barefoot Walking.

You can meet the mentors who trained me and who made the obscure, barefoot running phenomenon into a mainstream topic that got every running shoe company on the minimalist shoe band wagon.

Today, they are finishing a two-week tour in California and will spend next week in Oregon, then a week in Washington State, followed by a return to where it all started-Colorado.

I am excited to see my friends; I  highly recommend every barefooter and everyone who even contemplated barefooting attend one of their talks if they come to your town. It's well worth the trek if you have to travel a bit to see them.

Follow them on the web at:
http://runbare.com/barefoot-running-walking-tour-book-signing-clinic-event

Follow them on Facebook too....
https://www.facebook.com/RunBare?fref=ts
Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee-Sandler
 


Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Barefoot running: it takes a thief

When learning to run barefoot, it helps to have a teacher. And sometimes it takes a thief.

I'm not talking about felonious acts here; think closer to home. Think about sneaking into the kitchen to steal a cookie after whoever the powers that be say "no more cookies".

You're able to open and close the cookie jar silently. But you also need to make sure your steps are not heard.



So of course, you go without shoes. But think also about the way you step:

  1.  In order to step lightly, you use your whole foot.
  2. You plant your foot carefully, first the ball of your foot and then your heel follows; it reaches the floor ever so slightly.
  3. By the time your heel touches down, the muscles in your leg and ankle have absorbed all the impact of the landing, so there is no pounding and no noise.
  4. You also make sure you take shorter steps, is it lessens your chance of losing balance or taking an awkward step that will pound the floor and reveal your illicit acquisition of that cookie that you legitimately needed.

 


Who said nothing could be gained by swiping those cookies? You've just learned a basic, important technique in barefoot running, and how to make your feet smart like you. Sometimes, it takes a thief to teach us how to do something the right way.

I must give credit to my own running coach, Michael Sandler, for the original idea. While I learned to steal cookies all by myself, Michael taught me, and many other who have attended his lectures and clinics, how to make into such a noble pursuit.

Thanks, coach!




Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Global Barefooter-Hungary

It appears that Hungarians have overtaken the French as the next biggest group of readers at Almost Barefoot, so I took a cybertrip to Budapest and took a look at Mezitlabas Park, located near the ancient, historical capital of a once-again free country that is rich in history.

While barefooting was often shunned by the upper classes of Europe and while shoes have long been a symbol of affluent, barefooting remained in practice among many rural peoples in Europe and even was seen as a symbol of rugger strength.  Gypsy-style folk dancing among the cultures of Eastern Europe and Italy helped barefooting remain engrained in the regional culture. And now that the middle classes are discovering the the health benefits taken for granted by the ancient peoples, barefooting begins anew in Europe in parks.

Metro Budapest's Mezitlabas Park is one of many that have been built in Europe over the past 20 years. People come to these parks for the sole purpose of being able to go barefoot and reap the associated benefits. there are places to wash your feet when finished walking the variety of terrain on the paths.

Below, women enjoying the freedom of barefooting in Mezitlbas Park.

Photos from the park website
.






Yoga evolution and the ultimate barefoot workout


Fresh, funky and foot friendly, willPower is an incredible workout  
 

I incorporate Yoga into every aspect of life. If you allow me to talk to you for even five minutes I’ll find a way to make Yoga a relevant topic, no matter what. I attended willPower Fitness classes for the first time last month, and found the most unique blend of Yogic concepts and traditional exercise that I’ve ever encountered.

Like a traditional Yoga class, the willpower method calls on you to set a goal for the day and to seek positive growth in yourself. And also, the entire class is done without shoes, an approach everyone can enjoy and benefit from, even if they never set foot on a Yoga or Pilates mat. willPower is a whole new world.
willpower & Grace instructor Stacey Lei Krauss moving through a transitional lunge. Courtesy of willPower Fit Studio, Denver, CO.
 
 
The name willPower does mean you’ll be called upon to push yourself past your comfort zone, but not in the typical, boot camp fashion. Yes, you will push yourself, you’ll sweat and at the end, be tired. I’m a certified Yoga teacher with eight years of experience and a trainer of minimalist runners who has finished his share of races I ran without any shoes. And at the end of each class, I was tired. But in terms of the grueling part of the work out, it had nothing to do with the tired “no pain no gain” adage.

WillPower engages your mind to work with your body, and teaches you to listen to what the body is saying. Not only does this approach prevent needless, painful injuries, it enables you to find your appropriate level of difficulty where you can work safely and effectively to go further. This approach is a core tenet of traditional Yoga that is beautifully blended into the unique willPower approach.

YogaFit Instructor Vincent Gerbino moving into Hanumanasa (Monkey god pose)
Photo by Kristen Glenn Photography for YogaFit Corp.
 
Yoga’s presence with willpower is truly evolutionary. The evolution comes with the fact that the physical poses are blended with concepts-you’ll go from a traditional horse pose to an evolved position where you’ll unfold and step onto one foot, then into a sideways lunge known as a “cougar lunge” and back to stepping onto one foot and so on, sort of an evolutionary blend between Ashtanga Yoga and step aerobics but with stoic stability of Iyengar Yoga mixed in.

Students will be called upon to rise up onto the balls of their feet throughout the class, and every student including first timers will be encouraged even to jump, and will receive precise guidance from their teacher on how to do it. Strength-wise, this kind of jumping presents a challenge, but with the guidance of the teacher, doing it safely is surprisingly easy.  Knowing why it is easy has to do with being barefoot.

When you are barefoot, you feel the ground and both your mind and body become connected with it. Your mind doesn’t have to guess where you are because it isn’t trying to feel the ground through the bottoms of your shoes. Your feet are very sensitive, and the stimulation of the many nerve endings within them raises you awareness level all throughout your body and connects the body to the mind. This is another core tenet of traditional Yoga, and it’s also the reason why jumping on the balls of your feet amidst and intense workout is easy.

Yes, the workout will be a challenge. But it will be easy to feel fantastic during and after it.
 

 
 

Monday, April 8, 2013

Be back very soon!

Hello readers!  I took some needed time off yesterday. I did some barefoot hiking to mark the start of the new season.

I expect to post later today.

Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Barefoot Running: Start easy...on a hard surface

Ready to run barefoot? Almost? Maybe? Does it still seem weird or scary? No worries. The best advice is to start easy. Go maybe 100 yards at the end of a regular run in shoes.

Shoes make great hand weights, and also make good arch supports for after a barefoot run. I'll  have much more to come on that in future posts.

Running barefoot means more than conditioning the skin of your feet. Lots of muscles in the ankle region get lazy from wearing shoes, and building them up needs to be done gradually or else you'll have miserable fatigue that will sideline you. I know this from experience since I didn't have a coach in the first year. I was fortunate to meet perhaps the best coach in the business, Michael Sandler, who laughed as he nodded to acknowledge my mistakes that he understood how NOT to make having been a coach for decades.

I now coach others, since I've made the mistakes and got good training since then.

SO here's some advice from coach to coach to the new barefoot runner: start easy, but also on a hard surface.

The grass is a great place to warm up to the new movements. Total freedom of movement for the foot is a brand new concept to many runners.

My new students will spend maybe 20-30 minutes on the grass, and then we go right to the pavement.

It does NOT hurt, and here's why, your feet are free to move. And so are your legs. The range of motion increases, and with proper landing technique, your muscles from the properly bent legs and feet absorb the shock of landing INSTEAD of your joints and bones.

A 100-yard, gentle run can be done by most anyone who does at least some running of any kind on a regular basis,. I'll have more information from my Guru Michael's book; Barefoot Running (published by Random House), very soon.

In the mean time, if you'd like a copy of the book, you can buy it on Amazon or at your local book store. It's the easiest how-to book I've ever read, and it's actually fun to read.

You can learn more about Michael and about the book at www.runbare.com.

Don't like to run? The walk! and walk barefoot!  Michael and his wife, Jessica Lee-Sandler, just released a new book called Barefoot Walking, also for sale on Amazon and at your local bookstore.

Many blessings to everyone on this fine Saturday!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Global Barefooter-Russia

Russians make up the fourth largest group of this blogs readers (thank you). I'm finding quite surplus of barefoot models from that country, and that barefooting is pretty popular there, too.

I have to wonder if folks just naturally get into going barefoot when it's warm if they live where there's a long winter. I used to live in the mountains New Hampshire and that's when I started. The mountains there are small, laughable by Rocky Mountain standards, but they do boast the worst weather in the world. Yes, little, old Mount Washington has worse weather than the Himalayas.

I recall a winter where the snow came down two feet at a time, and it six feet high on either side of the walk way by the time April came around. I  never went barefoot outdoors back then; it was still a "no-no" to me. I felt I was rebelling against all conformity when, after removing yet another pile of snow to widen the driveway, I walked barefoot for the whole length, about 200 feet, just because it was warm enough that I finally could. Shortly after, I started practicing Yoga and the rest is history.

The Russian winter makes the New Hampshire winter seem short, so perhaps it is desirable to ditch shoes as soon as possible. I have read the Russian runners do many drills barefoot, but I have yet been able to verify my sources.

Peter Fabok, a barefoot runner from Slovakia has lived both in Moscow and St Petersburg. Some of his runs do include VFF toe shoes, but one can't really hold it against him given the number of sub-zero days there. Peter is nicknamed the "Barefoot Ambassador" of Moscow.

I avoid strange modeling sites, and I don't ever do fetish stuff (thanks for never posting it here). The Russian-based site known as City Feet posts pictures of smiling models standing barefoot in snow! There are also summer pictures. The site claims all models are over 18 years of age, and I've found nothing to the  contrary, nor did I find any inappropriate material, as far as I can tell.

The model on City Feet know as "Olga" was once found among the network of barefooters that included my coach and close friend, and that's the reason I deemed it no inappropriate to post City Feet's link.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Global Barefooter-Canada

Today I'm taking a quick look at barefooting in Canada. The practice appears popular among my wonderful neighbors to the north. I've only visited Canada in the summer, and in sandals. I haven't had the pleasure of going there in quite a few years, but cyber friends speak of barefooting as acceptable and enjoyed by a sizable number of citizens.

Canadians are the third biggest reader group to visit Almost Barefoot (thank you!), the 2nd largest is Germany and the first is the country of Almost Barefoot's origin, the Good Ol' U.S.A.

Barefooting seems to be most popular in Toronto, Ontario, the residence of Barefoot Moe Morales, a far-flung member of the Boulder Barefoot Running Club.

Moe is an original contributor to Barefoot Planet, and excellent website with links to many credible resources for barefooters to educate themselves and to enjoy a good read, I attest. It includes a number of recent interviews and statements made by doctors on the benefits of barefoot fitness. The site is affiliated with another, Barefoot Canada, which also has many useful links.

I wish a great, barefoot day to everyone. And to my Canadian readers, Thank you/Merci!





"Barefoot Moe" Morales in Toronto, Ontario. Photo from Barefoot Canada. Photographer not named.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Global Barefooter-Germany

I'm not only excited to see that my blog has had many hits in the past month-we're approaching 500 today-I've also noticed that the audience is becoming globally diverse. So today I'm taking a look at barefooting outside my beloved home, the U.S.A. so I can share some perspective from Germany.

Readers from Germany make up at least a tenth of my wonderful audience at Almost Barefoot, and as I look at barefooting in Germany, it's not hard to see why. When it comes to barefoot parks, there's a building boom going on in Europe. Yes, barefoot parks: public parks designed with the intent of having their patrons go barefoot there on purpose. Of 14 barefoot parks recommended at http://www.barfusspark.info/en/park.htm, half are in Germany and Austria.

Near Germany's famed Black Forest in the Deutsch municipality of Dornstetten-Hallvangen is the "Dornstetten-Hallvangen Barfusspark". "Barfusspark" There park offers balance beams, water to slosh through and a variety of walking paths, says travel writer Laurel Robbins on her blog site Monkeys and Mountains.

Admission to this particular park is free. Some other may cost a few Euros and may not allow dogs, various travel writers report. But all of them seem to offer a variety of paths and allow the visitor to walk a good barefoot mile or two without going in circles.

In a lengthy web search on barefooting in Europe, the majority of blog postings and writings from folks going barefoot came from Germans, while Dutch barefooters took second place. My own blog traffic shows Germany holding firmly to second place among global readers, flowed by my wonderful neighbors to the north in Canada. Russian readers take third.

I'll be writing more about barefoot perspectives from around the globe and welcome comments and pictures posted with discretion (no fetish stuff, please; any such material, written or visual will not be tolerated and will be promptly deleted).

No matter where you are on the globe, take a barefoot walk. It will be good for you!

To everyone reading, have a wonderful day. And to mien Deutschen Leser: danke! Auf Wiedersehen.


Monday, April 1, 2013

Barefoot running to look and feel good

No, your feet won't get gross from barefoot running!
I'm about to start the spring blitz, teaching barefoot running techniques, runners' Yoga and more.

Even those folks who find the idea odd still find it interesting and want to discuss it. Case and point, this blog has had over 450 hits in just a few weeks (Thank you, readers!).

Many people ask me if one's feet will start to look gross from barefooting.

The answer: NO!

You WON'T get callouses, in fact, because your feet are not rubbing inside shoes ,and because they are spread out on the ground and working the way nature intended them to work, the opposite will happen.

The skin of the feet will thicken naturally and evenly without callouses, and if you run on pavement or sidewalks, which I do recommend from the start, the skin will be naturally exfoliated, which will help it stay healthy and clean.

And for ladies who like to paint their toenails....yes, you can still do it without hindrance.
This assurance comes directly from barefoot runner extraordinaire Jessica Lee-Sandler. Jessica is president of the Runbare Company, and the founder of the Boulder (CO) Barefoot Runners Meet-Up Club, one of the first barefoot running clubs in the U.S.A., which I now run.

Today I posted a photo I took before starting my Yoga session. My feet have covered many miles on the pavement and some trails, too. This picture reflects four years of barefoot running.

Sure, they'll be dirty at the end of a run, but since you have to wash your feet every day no matter what, it's no big deal.

Take a proper approach to barefoot running and your feet will only look better, they'll feel better as well. In fact. You'll feel better from head to toe.