I have been aware of the cult barefoot shoe following for many years but it wasn't until I had my son that my interest was peaked. I could see that his tiny little feet were not the same as mine in structure or shape. His little feet were mostly cartilage rather than bone, and I have since learned that it isn't until the age of 18 that all the constituent parts of the foot are fully developed (26 bones, 19 muscles, 107 ligaments plus an array of delicate blood vessels, nerves and tissue fibres).
Ill fitting and rigid shoes can not only permanently alter the shape of a child's foot but also their gait, spinal alignment and ability to balance. I soon came to the realisation they weren't that great for me either! Come to any Yoga Northenden class and I will insist you complete the class barefoot "to improve propioception (spatial awareness of your body parts), posture alignment and correct weight distribution". But why do this in a class and not all the time?! Why do these exercises to improve flexibility and strength in your feet and then wear a thick rigid sole which takes it away?!
The picture below shows a barefoot child, engrossed in play, managing to balance perfectly well on a log. Here, by allowing the toes to perform their natural gripping action, his feet are naturally developing strength and coordination. Had the child been wearing shoes, this natural development would have been compromised, meaning he would have had to adjust his bodily alignment to compensate, putting undue pressure on his spine and other major bone groups.
Whether you yoga, box, walk, run or dance: movement should be fun, free and a joyous experience. However, many people get injured every year (e.g. around 80% of runners) because of incorrect equipment and inadequate skill and strength. The key for a long life of efficient movement involves reconnecting your brain and reconditioning your body. This is achieved by relearning the skill of locomotion by perfecting simple motor skill milestones and simultaneously, and gradually, building up adequate strength.
The definition of a barefoot shoe is flat, flexible, no heel, no structured arch support and a wide toe box with enough room to allow the toes to wiggle. Measure your foot and allow 0.5-1.5 cm extra to get your size right. Each brand has a measurement unique to a given size. Do not assume you are the same size in every different brand and measure your foot during the day as your foot can expand upto 20% from waking!
Vivobarefoot, Vibram, Merrell and Ecco are a few brands that do stylish barefoot shoes for adults. For kids there are Bobux, See Kai Run, Pediped, Livie and Luca, and Jack and Lily to name but a few (notably not Clarks). And there are barefoot friendly shoes also, such as Converse and Hunters for Toddlers and most plimsoles; the shoes need not cost the earth.
And so my personal barefoot adventure has begun, replacing one rigid soled shoe at a time. Will my flat arch be less painful? Will my toes straighten or feet widen? Watch this space for updates on how I get on.
Ill fitting and rigid shoes can not only permanently alter the shape of a child's foot but also their gait, spinal alignment and ability to balance. I soon came to the realisation they weren't that great for me either! Come to any Yoga Northenden class and I will insist you complete the class barefoot "to improve propioception (spatial awareness of your body parts), posture alignment and correct weight distribution". But why do this in a class and not all the time?! Why do these exercises to improve flexibility and strength in your feet and then wear a thick rigid sole which takes it away?!
The picture below shows a barefoot child, engrossed in play, managing to balance perfectly well on a log. Here, by allowing the toes to perform their natural gripping action, his feet are naturally developing strength and coordination. Had the child been wearing shoes, this natural development would have been compromised, meaning he would have had to adjust his bodily alignment to compensate, putting undue pressure on his spine and other major bone groups.
Whether you yoga, box, walk, run or dance: movement should be fun, free and a joyous experience. However, many people get injured every year (e.g. around 80% of runners) because of incorrect equipment and inadequate skill and strength. The key for a long life of efficient movement involves reconnecting your brain and reconditioning your body. This is achieved by relearning the skill of locomotion by perfecting simple motor skill milestones and simultaneously, and gradually, building up adequate strength.
The definition of a barefoot shoe is flat, flexible, no heel, no structured arch support and a wide toe box with enough room to allow the toes to wiggle. Measure your foot and allow 0.5-1.5 cm extra to get your size right. Each brand has a measurement unique to a given size. Do not assume you are the same size in every different brand and measure your foot during the day as your foot can expand upto 20% from waking!
Vivobarefoot, Vibram, Merrell and Ecco are a few brands that do stylish barefoot shoes for adults. For kids there are Bobux, See Kai Run, Pediped, Livie and Luca, and Jack and Lily to name but a few (notably not Clarks). And there are barefoot friendly shoes also, such as Converse and Hunters for Toddlers and most plimsoles; the shoes need not cost the earth.
And so my personal barefoot adventure has begun, replacing one rigid soled shoe at a time. Will my flat arch be less painful? Will my toes straighten or feet widen? Watch this space for updates on how I get on.
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