Feet On The Earth: A Modern Human's Guide To Conditioning The Feet, Body And Mind For Barefoot Walking

Discoveries and learnings from my own barefoot walking journey.

In our modern world, barefoot walking connect us back to our nature.

My feet have undergone enriching experiences in the 3 years of barefoot walking.

Gradually progressing from soft surfaces and short durations, my feet now confidently navigate for hours in forests, on gravel, and over rocks.

Now, I'm excited to take you on my journey and share how I approached it.

But first, let’s talk about the benefits.

The Benefits: Let's get into it!

Although I've come across documented benefits in various publications, I'm eager to share my personal experiences of 3 key benefits.

Benefit #1: Enhanced sensory perception

As I've built up my foot strength for longer barefoot walks, the adventure and fun has grown!

Through feeling the ground beneath me, I've become more sensitive to the subtleties of the changing environment. Each walk or hike becomes a journey through various textures and surfaces. If I keep it up throughout the seasons, I experience different temperatures and observe how my feet react. There’s something special about experiencing contrasts.

I can only express excitement for the continued sensory explorations on Earth.

Benefit #2: Earthing + Grounding

Stepping onto the earth, I feel a wave of calm and connection wash over me, like a deep exhale. This is especially felt if I’m coming from having been in front of my computer screen for some time.

When I'm pressed for time, like in between work meetings, but still crave grounding, my go-to is a brief stroll on grass (especially damp morning grass) or a dirt road. I notice my system calming, worries diminishing — I return feeling subtly more relaxed.

Benefit #3: Spiritual connection

I've felt the magic and joy that comes from walking barefoot in nature for extended periods.

This experience is not only physical but also energetic. I find myself easing into my body, and my inner wisdom emerges. While being in nature alone can bring about this transformation, the sensory experience from my feet amplifies it.

Upon returning home, I often notice a significant contrast from everyday life, feeling a heightened presence within myself beyond words.

🌱 May these benefits encourage you to step into nature and discover the joy of barefoot walking for yourself.

Barefoot Beginnings: How I Got Started

My journey into barefoot walking didn't follow a guide or rulebook. Instead, I let curiosity lead the way, allowing my surroundings to inspire and shape my approach intuitively.

Now, let's go into how I went about it.

1. Chose a specific path: A path I was familiar with created a sense of initial safety and sticking to it provided a clear measure of my progress each day.

2. Started small: Initially, I only walked barefoot a small part of the path and increased distance each day.

3. Walked on easy surfaces first: Choosing grassy areas initially allowed me to ease into barefoot walking and adapt gradually.

4. Regular strengthening and mobility exercises: I supported the feet to adapt to new stressors and challenges, similar to how runners stretch to maintain flexibility.

5. Explored new paths: When I felt naturally open and ready, I chose new paths, embracing adventure and diverse surfaces.

6. Started wearing barefoot sandals: To sustain the benefits, I used barefoot-friendly footwear when not walking barefoot.

Looking back, I see how each step was guided by a sense of exploration and discovery.

🌱 Remember, the beauty of barefoot walking lies in your own unique exploration and experimentation. Embrace the journey, and discover your way firsthand.

Strengthening your Feet: 4 simple exercises

A part of the journey has been to support the feet to adapt to new stressors and challenges. Similar to how runners stretch to maintain flexibility, I've incorporated regular strengthening and mobility exercises for my feet.

1. Ankle rotations: Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. Rotate your ankles in a circular motion, first clockwise and then counterclockwise. Repeat 10 times in each direction.

2. Ankle flexion and extension: Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. Flex and then extend your feet repeatedly. Repeat 10 times.

3. Heel raises: Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Slowly rise up onto your tiptoes, then lower back down. Repeat 10 times.

4. Toe curls: Sit on the floor with your legs extended and your feet in front of you. Curl your toes and hold for 5 seconds, then release. Repeat 10 times.

I repeat this whole series 3 times. For exercise 1 and 3, I prefer the floor but it's also possible to do them seated on a chair. If you're ready to advance, you may even explore how weights can be added!

These exercises form a part of a wider morning practice, which I call 'Morning Rise Mobility & Mindfulness'. It’s a series of mobility and joint conditioning exercises for the whole body. The practice lasts between 15 to 20 minutes each morning, depending on whether I do the longer version or not. I move mindfully between exercises, flowing and dancing as I feel on the day. Occasionally, I add a few yoga sun salutations if I'm feeling particularly eager and motivated. The practice is completed with a brief meditation.

🌱 Strengthen yourself and enjoy the adventure you and your feet get to go on!

Barefoot Adventure: Final Thoughts

Wrapping up our barefoot adventure, here are some final thoughts to carry with you:

1. Honour your starting point: Meet yourself where you're at. The ease of barefoot walking can vary based on the body's history, genetics, and other factors.

2. Listen to the body: Observe how your feet and whole body responds. There should at no point be any pain present or overriding of body signals. Gradually build up your capacity over time.

3. Come from curiosity: Instead of setting rigid expectations or timelines for yourself and your feet, take each step as it comes and enjoy the process. Consider it an adventure and a journey of discovery.

4. An old way in a modern age: Barefoot walking is natural and inherent, but our modern world is different from our ancestors'. Consider the impact of walking too much on concrete and other unnatural surfaces on your feet.

5. Share your barefoot adventure: Sharing your experiences with others open to exploring this way can deepen your connection to the practice and inspire you on your journey.

🌱 Little by little, see your feet and yourself grow stronger.