Are your feet trapped in unhealthy shoes?
You’ll know in just a minute. Go ahead and kick off your shoes (yes, right at your desk!) grab a piece of paper and a pen and watch this super quick video.
In just a few seconds you’ll know if your shoes are healthy for your feet and if you are getting enough barefoot time, plus a bonus tip for realigning your tootsies.
Enjoy!
xoxo, Laura
Hi Laura! I work from home so most days, in the summer, I wear flip flops. When I did the foot test there is plenty of room for my feet. But, I’ve heard flip flops are not always the best. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Yep, flip flops are great as far as not altering the natural structure of your feet — I think they are great (although conductive flip flops such as these: http://www.longevitywarehouse.com/David-Wolfe-s-Grounders-p/flipflop.htm would keep you grounded too!) and I’m in disagreement with most physicians/podiatrists who feel our feet need artificial support from shoes to function best. Feet have evolved over the millennia to function perfectly so unless we were born with a birth defect or structural abnormality, orthotic inserts and shoes provide barriers at best (sometimes desired to protect from harsh terrain or critters) but invasive and artificial forces on the foot (which effects the entire body) at the worst. I say hold onto those flip flops unless you have a specific foot condition!!!!! I love your comment and question and thank you so much for leaving it here for others to enjoy as well… xoxox, Laura
Hi Laura!
I was very interested in your video about earthing our feet because I am a Master Toe Reader. According to Chinese medicine, the foot is a hologram for the body and the gateway to healing. We record the history of our lives in our feet. So I was fascinated at how your feet were so “confined” in the shoes – it’s symbolic of how we try to conform and “fit” into the roles that others might have us play. Where are we holding back our true authentic selves in order to be what others want us to be?
Your feet are very strong looking and you definitely have a natural leadership ability that you are “stepping” into.
Thank you for this video – it is something for me to keep in mind when I am working with clients.
Many Blessings.
Wow Holly — thank you so much for this great assessment and explaining what a Master Toe Reader is! That’s absolutely fascinating!!! Love the questions you pose about how the restrictive shoe echoes a restrictive society — so true — many experts believe the shoe is one of the most destructive inventions in history, at least from a health perspective. Thank you soooo much for your wonderful comment and so happy my feet got your thumbs up! xxoxoxo, laura
I just found your website and am so impressed. This column, in particular, jumped at me because I’ve just recently been feeling my feet and ankles are out of alignment. Throughout the summer I live in Birkenstocks and have just taken up jogging again. Need to go find a good, properly supportive pair of running shoes. Any advice on what to look for? I love your idea of ‘barefoot time’…unfortunately, I live with so many animals, I’m always looking out for their ‘deposits’ on my lawn. Thanks again, for writing such an informative, and timely article.
I would definitely bring some markers and paper and do this foot test before purchasing a pair of running sneakers so that you can be sure they are not misaligning your feet and causing stress on your natural architecture! Other then making sure there is plenty of width in the shoe, I think arch support is so individual I would try on a lot of shoes and then go with the one that feels like a “relief” on my feet — the ones that feel like they cradle your foot in support and comfort — whichever one I put on and am able to take a deep breath in, those are the ones that my body intuitively “knows” it feels best in. Good luck and let us know how your shoe shopping goes!!! Teva and Ahnu and several other lines make really great, anatomically supportive + eco friendly shoe lines!!!! xoxo to you, thanks for your comment… xoxo, Laura
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on alignment.
Regards