Living…..Barefoot?

Kent Wadenpfuhl | JUL 13, 2021

healthy living

barefoot

barefoot living

earthing

good health

spiritual practice

In my first blog post I am going to address something that almost all who meet me notice, I do not wear shoes. Teaching yoga is a part time endeavor at this time. I do have a full time job that has a dress code that requires shoes. However, once I retire the shoes will be retired as well.

Me and my daughter attending a concert at an outdoor venue in bare feet (We did not have shoes with us at all).

Why might you ask? Aren’t you afraid of glass, disease, bodily waste?!?! I will address these items and more as I go. First, a little background on how and why I came to live this way.

After my time in the military it seemed I was plagued by tendonitis in my knees and lower back pain. I’m sure running in running shoes didn’t help either (more on that later). Years after I was discharged, I began dating a girl who went barefoot. Not all of the time, but most of the time.

She started encouraging me to do the same. Over time (a short time at that), the tendonitis started to go away along with my lower back discomfort. I started putting two and two together. Back then, the internet was not as vast as it is now. But, it was vast enough for me to get some answers.

In short, shoes were the cause. Shoes are bad, plain and simple. Shoes cause one’s gait to be altered in such a way that walking in them literally has negative effects on the entire structure of our bodies.

Ever wonder why in countries where shoe wear is the norm is also the countries with most of it’s senior population using walkers, canes, and even wheelchairs? Those countries also have a high rate of hip replacements and knee replacements. Now, look at countries (Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands, etc.) where a high percentage of the population goes barefoot. You will see a difference. Don’t take my word for it, please research it as I did. 🙂

So lets take a look at pros, cons and spiritual reasons.

Pros

Bare feet are healthy feet, period. People who live barefoot rarely (if at all) suffer from: athletes foot, toenail fungus, foot odor, bunions, corns, deformed toes, plantar fasciitis, fallen arches, hammer toe, ingrown toenails , and I can go on.

Feet deformed from years of shoe wear compared to the natural shaped feet of a barefooter (Source: https://myfootfunction.com/blogs/barefoot-research/comparison-between-shoe-wearing-population-and-barefoot).

Not only do shoes cause the muscles of the feet to atrophy, but they also act as incubators. The feet can sweat up to a pint in the proper conditions while shod. Bacteria, fungus anyone (while this is in the spotlight, flip flops can be contaminated with 18,000 forms of bacteria)?🤢 Bare feet have little to none, experiments were conducted, look them up. 😉Better balance, movement, and now brain stimulation can be attributed to the 2000 nerve endings in the soles of the feet. I could go on, but again I encourage you to research on your own.

I mentioned running earlier. Before yoga, I loved to run. But, after awhile it started to take its toll on me. Throbbing legs and feet, sore lower back, feeling totally wiped out after a run. Then I discovered barefoot running! Yes folks, one can safely run barefoot. In fact, research is showing that it is most likely the healthiest way to run. In short, running shoes cause one to heel strike sending shock wave after shock wave up the leg, into the knee, and into the back. A barefoot runner strikes on the forefoot or some have a mid-foot strike. This allows the instep to act as a shock absorber. Therefore sparing the knee and other body parts the price of “pounding on pavement”. I have ran countless miles barefoot (all injury free and pain free) and even participated in two studies on barefoot running. A word of caution though, work up to this. Just don’t go barefoot and run. One must develop the forefoot strike in order to run barefoot safely!

Cons

Hmmmm, not many. Contrary to popular belief, going barefoot into stores, restaurants, and other places of business is NOT illegal. The No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service nonsense is not a law. It is a relic from a discriminatory past that was used to keep hippies and other undesirables from entering one’s business who did not want them there. However, a business owner is free to establish a dress code and that code can require one to wear shoes. Defying that dress code can result in being asked to leave and not leaving can lead into a run in with the law.

Public bathrooms!! Yes, I have gotten that question and the answer is yes, I have used public bathrooms barefoot. BUT, those areas have been clean and well kept. My rule is that if the area would be too gross with shoes, I am surely not entering in bare feet. In the 20 + years that I lived this lifestyle, I have used many public bathrooms and have been just fine.

Glass, waste, etc. Glass was only a problem in the beginning. After a few months, my soles became like a smooth leather and nothing penetrated them. Also, remember the 2000 nerve endings? I can’t tell you how many times those nerve endings alerted me to nails, glass, etc. in enough time to stop me from putting my foot all the way down and causing an injury. Had I been in shoes, stitches city my friend!

Hot pavement! No longer a problem. I live in the deep south where the heat index can get to 100 degrees. Like the glass, your feet build up a tolerance. That’s not to say, I don’t feel it. I do. But I don’t get blisters or injuries. Besides, one of the best feelings ever is to walk on a cool store floor after crossing a hot parking lot! 👍🏻

Social Pushback. This is most likely the greatest deterrent to people adopting this lifestyle. What will people think? Well, that concerned me too in the beginning. But then, when I started to feel the pain in the knees and back go away, my attitude changed. I do not care what others think. Are they going to pay my doctor bills from knee and hip issues when I get older? Ah, no! So, my health and comfort are priority.

Spiritual Reasons

I’m not sure where to start here! Over the centuries, there has been many practices and references in scriptures and writings regarding going barefoot as a spiritual practice. From Christianity to Buddhism, Wiccan, and Paganism, bare feet play a part. Hindus (most if not all Hindu deities are barefoot) and Muslims are barefoot in the temples. Jesus sent his disciples out “Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purse, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves.” Matthew 10:10 In the Old Testament, God told Moses to “Draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place where on thou standest is holy ground“. Exodus 3:5

Like everywhere else I go, I attend religious services barefoot and have for many years. When asked about it, I referenced the Old Testament quote previously mentioned. Now, that I am on the spiritual path I am certainly barefoot at my religious services as they are mainly comprised of long periods of meditation. I could go on forever concerning this topic!

Overview

I could most probably write a book on this (some have, see below)! This lifestyle is not for everyone. People who have neuropathy in the feet should exercise caution. I am not a doctor or podiatrist, just a yoga teacher. However, having lived this lifestyle for over 20 years and experiencing the benefits is too good to keep a secret. Like anything else adventurous, use caution and good judgment.

It took my wife some time to get used to it and my daughter has followed in my barefoot steps. In fact, going barefoot saved my daughter from knee problems early in life. At six she was having some problems with her knees and the doctor did not have many recommendations. I convinced my wife to let her go barefoot and the problem was solved. Now at 20, my daughter has no knee problems and out does dad in places and miles traveled barefoot!

Thank you for reading and Namaste!