Okay, so I’ve been on a bit of an exercise kick lately. I only hope I can keep the enthusiasm up, and as long as I can link it to philosophy, I think I can. So, today I want to talk about going barefoot. There is simply no better way to feel the presence, the spirit, and the power of the earth. From a philosophical desire to feel a connection to the earth and to nature, going barefoot seems only, well, natural.

But what about practical health benefits? Ah, I’m glad you asked. Running barefoot seems much healthier than the regular “pounding of feet wrapped in thick padding” we normally consider running or jogging. For years, African runners have dominated the highest levels of long distance running. The reason why eluded scientists for a long time. They tested genetic explanations, but the African runners had the same lung capacity, the same leg structure, etc., that other runners did. What the African runners had over the competition was this: they had run barefoot from childhood. The proper running technique while running barefoot, such as the one taught as the pose method, uses a light step with gravity providing the driving force. It is easier on the joints and is more energy efficient. Their are multiple health benefits to going barefoot. The following is quoted from Women’s Sports & Fitness, August 1994:

A recent study demonstrates that the skin on the soles of your feet resists abrasions and blistering and that going barefoot is beneficial to the musculoskeletal structure of your feet and ankles. … Kicking off your shoes can help prevent a host of foot injuries: bunions, heel spurs, and bone deformities, among others. “Shoes act like casts, holding the bones of the foot so rigid that they can’t move fluidly,” [Steven] Robbins [MD and adjunct associate professor of mechanical engineering at Concordia University, Montreal] explains. “The foot becomes passive from wearing shoes and loses the ability to support itself.”

The Celtic Reconstructionist in me would feel remiss if he didn’t add that at least some ancient Celts apparently saw it as a weakness to wear shoes. Not surprising, since at least a few thought it was a weakness to wear any clothes at all into battle.

Today, I have gone the entire day without wearing shoes or socks. Fortunately, because I am self-employed, I can get away with this at work. When I went to run an errand, I reflexively looked for my shoes before I remembered I didn’t really need them. It was rough-going at times. Walking on hot pavement and limestone rocks were a bit painful, but there was some joy even to that — a sense of freedom and of connectedness, of being aware and alive. Also, my movements have felt more fluid and gentle. My feet are sore and tired, but I’m loving it.

I lament the thought of having to imprison my feet in padded casts again, but I will have to eventually. There are public places that frown on the practice of going barefoot, though for no reason other than social stigma, really. But, that’s social pressure I have to bend to. Business owners can kick me out, and as a trial lawyer, I am also pretty sure judges would frown on my appearing in court barefoot. So, I’m going to take it day by day, going barefoot when and where I can for now, and taking it one step at a time.

Many other facts and useful links concerning “barefooting” can be found on Wikipedia.