The holiday season is around the corner, and one question is lingering on everyone's mind: What is the perfect Christmas gift? While there are plenty of options to consider, few can match the versatility, comfort, and style that Leguano shoes offer. In this article, we'll delve into why these innovative shoes should be on your holiday gift list.
 
Unbeatable Comfort
One of the most standout features of Leguano shoes is their unparalleled comfort. Crafted with high-quality materials, these shoes conform to the shape of your feet, providing a 'barefoot' walking experience. Their unique design not only cushions every step but also promotes natural movement. That means your loved ones can walk, run, or even hike with ultimate comfort—making it an ideal gift for anyone who values both style and substance.
 
Versatile Design
Christmas is a season filled with various activities—from family gatherings to winter sports. Leguano shoes offer a versatile design that can easily adapt to different settings. Whether it’s an outdoor adventure or a casual evening, these shoes can fit the bill. Plus, they come in various designs, styles, and colors, giving you ample choices to pick a pair that suits your loved one’s unique taste.
 
Health Benefits
The barefoot technology that Leguano incorporates into their shoes isn't just about comfort; it's about promoting better foot health. The shoes allow for the natural movement of the feet, which can help improve posture and reduce foot-related issues. For anyone conscious about wellness, these shoes are more than a trendy gift; they're a pathway to a healthier lifestyle.
 
Easy Maintenance
Let's face it; nobody wants to spend their holiday season worrying about complicated shoe maintenance. Leguano shoes are machine washable and quick to dry, making them incredibly easy to care for. This means more time enjoying the festive season and less time spent on upkeep.
 
Sustainable Choice
In today’s eco-conscious world, giving a gift that’s sustainable adds another layer of thoughtfulness. Leguano shoes are produced with sustainability in mind, using ethical practices and materials. By gifting these shoes, you’re not only pampering your loved ones but also doing your part for the planet.
 
Perfect for Travel
If your gift recipient loves to travel, then Leguano shoes are a must-have. Their lightweight and flexible design make them a convenient choice for packing, and their robust construction is durable enough to withstand various types of terrains. Your loved ones can explore new places without any discomfort.
 
In a Nutshell
This Christmas, think beyond the usual sweaters and electronic gadgets. Opt for a gift that combines comfort, style, health benefits, and sustainability—choose Leguano shoes. They're not just a present; they're an experience that your loved ones will cherish long after the holiday lights have dimmed.
 
So, go ahead and make this festive season unforgettable with the gift of Leguano shoes.

​Trust us; your loved ones feet will thank you!
 

​​Introduction
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"Barefoot" shoes, as the name suggests, aim to replicate the natural feeling of being barefoot while providing a minimal layer of protection for our feet. They are designed to offer users the benefits of walking barefoot with features like thin soles, ample toe room, zero drop from heel to toe, and a high degree of flexibility. In recent years, the concept of barefoot or minimalist footwear has surged in popularity, sparked by an interest in returning to a more natural state of movement.

​What is less commonly understood is that these shoes can have surprising implications for our mental health, improving stress management, mindfulness, and overall cognitive well-being. This article aims to delve into the fascinating link between barefoot shoes and mental health benefits.

Barefoot Shoes and Mental Health: The Connection


Mindfulness and Grounding
Barefoot shoes, by their very design, offer a greater sensory feedback from the ground. They allow wearers to feel the surface beneath their feet - a pebble, a blade of grass, the warmth of sand, or the coolness of a tiled floor. This sensory interaction facilitates a state of mindfulness, a form of active, open attention to the present, which has been found beneficial for mental health.
This process aligns with the concept of "grounding" or "earthing," connecting with the Earth's natural energy. Walking barefoot, or in this case, in barefoot shoes, can help create this connection, fostering a sense of calm and wellbeing.

Stress Relief
Physical activity is a well-known stress-buster, and walking or running in barefoot shoes can enhance these benefits. The heightened sensory feedback encourages slower, more deliberate movement, which can contribute to the release of stress. The focus on each step's sensation can be a form of moving meditation, reducing stress hormone levels, and promoting relaxation.

Enhanced Body Awareness and Balance
By encouraging a more natural foot movement, barefoot shoes can enhance proprioception, the sense of self-movement and body position. This increased body awareness can improve balance and coordination, contributing to a sense of control and confidence in movement. This heightened self-awareness and self-assuredness can have positive effects on mental health by enhancing self-esteem and reducing anxiety levels.

Neuro-plasticity
Wearing barefoot shoes can stimulate the brain in unique ways due to the increase in sensory information. The brain's plasticity, its ability to change and adapt as a result of experience, means that this additional sensory input can lead to stronger neural connections. As well as benefiting coordination and balance, this may enhance cognitive function and mental flexibility.

Conclusion
While barefoot shoes won't single-handedly cure mental health issues, they offer a unique avenue for enhancing mindfulness, reducing stress, and stimulating the brain. They form a tool to support other mental health interventions such as therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. As we continue to recognize the vital role of mental health in our overall wellbeing, it's worth exploring all avenues - including the ones we walk on every day.

Investing in a pair of barefoot shoes might seem like a small step, but it could lead to significant strides in your mental health journey. However, as with any significant change to your physical activity, it's essential to transition slowly to barefoot shoes to allow your body to adjust to the new form of movement.
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The journey towards better mental health is multifaceted, and it's encouraging to know that every step taken—especially in barefoot shoes—can guide us towards improved well-being.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in mindfulness and its benefits. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, aware of one's thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. It has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and increase overall well-being. One way to enhance the practice of mindfulness is through the use of leguano barefoot shoes.
Leguano barefoot shoes are designed to mimic the feeling of walking barefoot while still providing protection for the feet. They have a thin, flexible sole that allows the foot to move and flex naturally. This freedom of movement helps to strengthen the muscles in the feet and lower legs, which can improve balance and stability.
When wearing leguano barefoot shoes, the wearer is more aware of their feet and the ground beneath them. This heightened awareness can lead to a deeper sense of mindfulness. By paying attention to the sensations in their feet and the way their body moves, the wearer is able to stay present in the moment and fully engage with their surroundings.
In addition to enhancing mindfulness, leguano barefoot shoes have several other benefits. They can help to improve posture and reduce back pain by promoting a more natural gait. They also allow for better circulation in the feet, which can alleviate swelling and discomfort.
When choosing a pair of leguano barefoot shoes, it is important to consider the specific needs of the wearer. Different styles are available for various activities, such as running, hiking, and everyday wear. It is also important to choose the right size and fit to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness.
In conclusion, mindfulness is an important practice for improving overall well-being, and leguano barefoot shoes can enhance this practice by increasing awareness and promoting natural movement. By incorporating mindfulness and barefoot walking into daily life, individuals can experience numerous physical and mental benefits.

Lawyer and athlete Katharina, 32 years old, loves her Leguano’s more than anything. We accompanied her through her first pregnancy.

While not only her body, her sense of smell and taste changed during her pregnancy, she also “got over the insatiable need to just walk barefoot”.

leguano : How did you get into running barefoot? Even before your pregnancy?

KK: Before my pregnancy, I sporadically wore Leguano’s in my spare time. I found them comfortable and, for example, I liked to combine my leguano chester with a chic dress and dark leggings. That always looked good. Naturally, my body changed quite a bit during pregnancy. From the 3rd month it felt like a strange feeling to wear sturdy shoes on your feet. I was overcome by the insatiable need to only carry Leguano’s. I became almost addicted to walking through the forest in leguanos and enjoying the harmony with nature. It was like a primal feeling that suddenly broke out of me….

leguano: Are there any special advantages of leguanos during pregnancy? What are your experiences? 

KK: I felt a significant relief for my pelvis and my movements. As a happy, healthy human child, I had no discomfort or pain when walking before. But it was just like my inner voice was telling me "put on those barefoot shoes". I felt much more connected to nature, much more grounded and simply better embedded in the “environment” work of art.

leguano: From this I hear a closeness to nature, the loving treatment of oneself, awareness, attention, mindfulness ...

KK: Yes. I think that as a pregnant woman you listen to your gut feeling much better. The sensory perceptions become stronger so that one becomes clearly aware of what is good for one. You treat yourself more lovingly and more carefully. I think nature arranged this to protect the unborn life that one carries under one's heart.
And leguanos were simply the means of choice to give me a beautiful pregnancy with every step. My friend Gina always says: If the mother is fine, the child in her tummy is also fine. And I was fine thanks to leguanos. I sometimes walked 8-10 km a day in the second and third trimesters. I couldn't have done that so easily in bad shoes.

leguano: Did you also do sports during pregnancy?
KK: Yeah of course. Of course, I only listened to my body. At the beginning of pregnancy, when you feel tired and are fighting against nausea, after 15 minutes on the stepper I had already satisfied my daily need for exercise because my body needed rest. In the second trimester, when you're as strong as a lioness, I could move for hours. And of course I then actively wore my sun-yellow leguano to the gym. Depending on my gut feeling, I did endurance sports or weight training (with significantly less weights) and always made sure that my son was doing well.
I have to admit that I used to do 1.5 hours of sport at least 4-5 times a week. So it was completely normal that I had a strong need for exercise even during pregnancy.


leguano: What are the biggest advantages of leguanos compared to conventional (sports) shoes?

KK: You have a better, more natural grip and no foreign body sensation on your foot. If you specifically train your core muscles or your sense of balance with certain exercises, you can often leave your shoes on because you are practically barefoot in the leguanos, just with a little more protection for the soles of your feet. It is a good feeling. Once you've tasted blood, you don't wear anything else.

leguano: You listen to your stomach in two ways. Can you tell pregnant women something from your experiences?

KK: I think that every pregnant woman is different and has different needs in each moment. One of them urgently needs rest and sleep, the next one has a craving for meat, the third one doesn't want to sit still and go for a walk through nature all the time. I believe that one should primarily listen to oneself. Nature takes over and shows you the right way.


leguano: How do you experience the barefoot feeling yourself? Has that changed anything for you?

KK: Walking barefoot makes you more grounded and more or less merges with the ground. It's just a wonderful feeling that makes you feel happy. I also noticed in my circle of friends that leguano carriers are already doing more for their health and inner balance anyway. The Leguano’s are another way for you to live in harmony with nature and also on your feet without foreign objects.



leguano : leguanos give you support and stability on your feet. What gives you a hold in life?

KK: My family, my friends and my sport. I am incredibly grateful that I had such an ideal childhood and such a great home. So I'm all the more happy to soon be doing the wonderful things with my own child that I loved in my childhood: catching the first rays of sunshine in spring, going swimming in summer, making chestnut men in autumn and baking cookies for Christmas ...


leguano: Will you dress your children with leguanos too?
KK: Yes of course. I want my child to have as healthy a childhood as I do and to be as good as me. Therefore: a lot of motherly love for his heart, leguanitos for his feet. This strengthens his ankle, trains the foot muscles and protects against foot misalignments .


leguano: Which leguano is your favorite shoe right now?

KK: I love the leguano style flamingo. The hold is optimal, you can combine it with almost any dress and this fresh orange border ensures that you are in a good mood when you put it on. If it has to be a bit more subtle, I wear the leguano style rose. It has the same excellent hold, but goes better with dark clothes.

leguano: Finish the sentence: I wear leguano barefoot shoes…

KK: … because life is too short for bad shoes. If I can be so happy with so little effort, why should I choose something else? That would be like not eating a chocolate cake anymore, although with every bite you can get a little closer to heaven.

It’s far from Yoga I was reared!
by Rhea Peel
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Work outs in my house were the chores, walking to the supermarkets (and walking back laden down with a weeks’ worth of shopping),  playing outdoors, the odd time going with your mam to that weird aerobics class in the church hall, or attempting to follow her Jane Fonda cassette tape… yes… cassette tape, not even a video!

Yoga was not a word I would have heard growing up, and certainly didn’t seem to feature in the society around me.
It seemed to me that yoga exploded into existence some time in my teens. Now, I know that it has existed for thousands of years, but not in my little world. Even when it did start edging into the corners of the society I grew up in, it was regarded with a great degree of scepticism and a nice helping of ridicule!

It was something that was just for bendy, wealthy, ‘yummy mummy’s with too much time on their hands -  (also, side note, I’m a mother now and there is no such thing as a mother with too much time on their hands, there could never be enough!) - or those with hippie notions that just came back from their gap year in India with baggy pants, and a new religion.

I’ve since learned that yoga was first popularised in the west as early as the 1920s, and 30s, with yoga gurus and their disciples bringing the knowledge with them as they emigrated to the US, and Europe – however,  it was still a small niche, nothing like the booming trend we see today.

Through my teens, and early 20s I engaged in no formal exercise, people that formally worked out, went to classes, or certainly, did YOGA, were a different breed from me… surely?

It was then recommended to me as part of my recovery programme for mental health, and it had a lot of coverage in popular media at the time. Celebs were shooting off to Ashrams left right and centre, and yoga studios were popping up in places where they would have been laughed out of town previously.

I still felt that it just wasn’t for me. It’s funny how we’re brought up with certain ideas about what is ‘for us’ and what isn’t. The truth is you can try anything, well you know, within reason and legality, and if you like it – hooray, it is for you!

I read a bit about it, looked at a few DVDs and instructions, and just huffed and puffed… and pushed it away. Just LOOK at those people, they look like ballerinas, and contortionists! Their bodies bend like pipe cleaners, and they don’t even break a sweat, no, no, that’s NOT ME.

The rise of YouTube was a phenomenal help in my personal journey with Yoga - doesn’t that even seem like such a notion ridden thing to say - (hello internalised judgements) - but there it is. YouTube is brilliant, you can now find any number of people – all different shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and of different levels of abilities, engaging in yoga, and instructing.

My personal favourite is Yoga with Adriene, I find her tutorials easy to follow, and she always offers alternative movements for different levels of mobility. I also love Jessamyn Stanley – she has absolutely smashed the stereotypes around what kind of ‘body’ you need for yoga. Then there is Dean Pohlman over at Man Flow Yoga – an impressive athlete and yoga instructor, and the fabulous Ben Clark at Adapt to Perform, proving that a wheelchair is no barrier to enjoying yoga; Age is also no excuse, which was beautifully shown by the late Tao Porchon – Lynch, who was still teaching classes aged 98!

It’s so accessible, with such a variety of teachers, and types of yoga practice to choose from, and we have an absolute wealth of information on its benefits.

Yoga can help improve: posture, joint pain, balance, heart health, mental health, sleep, muscle strength, and self-esteem – just to name a few! It is incredibly useful in the treatment of high stress levels, trauma, and anxiety.

The powerful impact that a yoga practice can have on individuals has been recognised widely at this stage, and we see it being employed at so many levels of society. It has been used in education, as therapy for those with additional needs, in prisons, even by NASA, and the US military, the list goes on.

And me, personally? I love it. It is such a relaxing contrast to the HIT workouts, or aerobics classes – although yoga can be intense too, whatever your preference – I find it gives me space in my mind, and I feel, tangibly, the space it creates in my body. It is also so encouraging to see improvement, you’ll do a pose one way, and maybe get frustrated that you can’t go further, only to find that as time goes by – doing nothing more than carrying on, breathing deep, and following the instructions – suddenly, you can!

I remember my friend showing me her ‘crow pose’ a few years ago. My immediate reaction, again, was ‘no, no, not for me – I’ll never be able to do that’ – it looked impossible! Yet, a year or so later, and at the time improving by also attending physical yoga classes in my locality (how’ya mammy, too much time on your hands?) – I did it. No, it wasn’t perfect, it may not have looked impressive, but I did it, and it was good enough for me.

 I also have to give a big thumbs up to doing yoga outdoors, there is a totally different energy, and life to it – if you can find a peaceful spot outside, even just the back garden – or on the beach, or in a forest if you’re feeling adventurous (and if lockdown ever ends, yawn!).

Trust me, you’ll know exactly what I mean. I also highly recommend the Leguano shoes as an option for outdoor practice – Yoga for me is a barefoot activity, it’s the best way to enjoy it and feel the feedback from your body – but if you are an outdoors yoga enthusiast, these are the perfect fit. You get almost the same feedback as being totally barefoot, and 100% of the same mobility, whilst protecting your precious feet from the elements, and no need to cart your yoga mat with you!
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Speaking of equipment, for Yoga you need very little! All I have is a simple mat, two blocks, and a strap. I would always recommend investing in a good mat – as this helps protect your knees, hips and other areas when practising indoors, on hard floors. Also, the blocks, and straps, are quite cheap to pick up, and will last years!
I thought Yoga was, well, just a notion! My mind has been permanently changed, and if this inspires even one person to get on the mat, I’ll be delighted. Trust me, you will not be disappointed, just find  the practice, and the instructor, that works for you.

The Leguano Production Story

We often get asked about the price of our products – and yes, we totally get it, they are at the higher end! The fact is, that unfortunately, you get what you pay for, especially when it comes to clothes, and shoes.

Leguano was founded in 2004, the brainchild of long-distance runner, and journalist, Helmuth Ohlhoff – in Sankt Augustin Germany. Helmuth’s vision was not only to create a running shoe that supported the natural movement and development of the feet, but also, to create a shoe of superior quality, and produce them in Germany.

Leguano were not designed by a fashion designer, but rather, by professionals in sport, who knew first-hand the down sides of standard running shoes on their health, and sporting activities. The experience and expertise that has gone into their design is so far beyond your average shoe.

A large number of shoes on the international market are mass produced, and the goal is to keep costs low, and production levels high. Helmuth blazed a new trail, re training local people in the art of hand crafting, and sewing, to realise his dream - of a more sustainable, high quality, artisan product. Hand made takes time, precision, and our workers are paid a fair wage!

Leguano shoes have been hand made in Germany since 2004, and still are to this day, in a town called Buchholz in the Westerwald, a region between Cologne and Frankfurt. Their materials are also sourced in Germany. We all know that ‘German made’ is synonymous with ‘well made’ – they are market leaders in quality production.

Many models of the Leguano are made of a specially selected textile, this is woven in one fluid piece, eliminating unnecessary seems and disturbance to the feet. They are flexible, breathable, but they are also humidity resistant.

Most of our shoes are made from microfibre – a combination of polyamid, elastan, lyocell and/or polyester. Some, the Demin for instance, include large percentages of cotton (70%).

The sole is our own patented design, made from LIFOLIT, a rubber composition. This is the only element of the shoe that is made by machine, for ultimate durability. They are non-slip, super flexible, and resistant to modern daily life.

High quality design, high quality materials, handmade, and all of the materials sourced within Germany, this is their ethos, and it is a commendable one!

One of the major milestones in the Leguano story was the opening of the first barefoot shoe store in Bad Zwischenahn in 2013. Now there are 180 stores throughout Germany, and providers throughout the EU and worldwide – from Ireland to China, and Australia!

This just goes to show the growing movement toward wearing barefoot shoes, and the unquestionable success of the brand.
Now several years into development, Leguano shoes give the wearer their full range of motion, whilst still providing year-round protection from the elements, and dangers of modern life. The upper material is designed to hold in heat, whilst not causing any restriction to movement. They are also machine washable, so no need to fret about messy excursions!

What price do you put on your physical health? This is really the question we should also be asking ourselves – what will years of back pain, hip pain, knee pain, cost you in the long run?

We have several articles in the blog that go into more detail about the benefits of barefoot shoes, and I would urge you to give them a read.

They are suitable for everyone, from childhood to old age. They are also suitable for many foot shapes and sizes, due to their flexibility.

Whether walking the dogs, climbing mountains, doing yoga, parkour, or just the daily shop – Leguano stands up to the challenge, every time. Instead of needing 10 pairs of shoes for different activities – and having to replace them on a regular basis – your Leguanos are a sound investment piece, that will also protect your physical well-being.
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Our production story is one of expertise, ethical thinking, and a focus on health and well-being, and personally, I think they are worth every penny (and my once cranky knees, well, they are in full agreement!).
 
 

By Rhea Peel

Mental health has been a hot topic for the last few years – awareness of the various mental health issues, and struggles, that people face, and the many ways to access help, and treat them.

I’ve experienced mental health issues since my early teens and understand only too well how they can impact your life. I say this not to garner sympathy, but because personally I hate to hear someone’s opinion on something they have not experienced – it’s like the midwife with no children telling you she knows it hurts, but you can do this, when you’re in labour – no love, you’ve really got no idea!

In my teens and early twenties I blindly struggled through, not even aware at times that what I was experiencing was a health issue – just believing that, that was who I was, and this was how my life would be. Exercise was not something that factored in my life – apart from maybe hours spent on dance floors – even then myself and my good friend, who made it a point to go out, and go dancing at least once a week – used to say how much better we felt after it, for days after. Back then we thought it was just the thrill of getting out, now I think maybe it was more to do with the vigorous dancing that ensued!

As I started to access treatment for my mental health in my mid-twenties and onwards, exercise was recommended to me often; Yoga, walking, swimming – go and join a fitness class etc. At first, I think all I heard, was that I must be lazy. When your self-esteem is already low, when you already spend time feeling useless, and severely lacking in  motivation – all I could hear was that I was lazy, maybe if I wasn’t I would feel better. It felt like an insult – just another person telling me that my illness was my fault.

I had also been exposed to media, and people, that peddled the trope that depression was a cop out, a laziness, an unwillingness to engage and get better. I had one good friend, who before they met me and saw my issues first-hand, had honestly thought that ‘mental health issues’ were just an excuse for people not to work. He used to work in social welfare payment processing, he now works as a mental health nurse – says it all really.

I was blessed to then get a counsellor, and a GP, that I clicked with, after many futile attempts and bad fits – this is also something I would say to those of you trying to engage with therapy, and treatment – don’t get disheartened.

I know that it’s much easier said than done, I really do, but if the first attempts don’t work out, keep going if you can, the right method or clinician could be around the corner.

Myself, and my counsellor, connected on a personal level, and when she spoke to me about yoga, and exercise it didn’t feel so harsh, or belittling, I knew this was from personal experience, and I trusted her, and her view of me.

I also began to understand, with maturity, treatment, and as mental health came under the spotlight, the science behind it.
Exercise causes the release of endorphins into the brain, they are a type of messenger, a transmitter that on a physical, chemical level reduce our feelings of stress and pain. It also causes the release of dopamine – which I think most people have now come to know as one of the ‘happy hormones’. Dopamine also plays a crucial role in many areas of our mentality – affecting our ability to sleep, focus, feel motivation, and on a physical level it can help regulate our heart rate and blood vessel function.

Exercise causes the release of norepinephrine, another hormone/neurotransmitter (or brain messenger) this plays a crucial role in the use of memory, emotional regulation, sleep, focus and attention span.

It also causes the release of Serotonin, this chemical is essential to our mood regulation, gut health, sleep and, on a physical level, can affect our ability to heal from wounds, and our bone health. This is only a small snippet of the functions of these chemicals and hormones, the full list of their necessity and their effects is amazing. I’ll include some links below for further reading.

I always hated the phrase ‘it’s all in your head’ – again it feels insulting, like you are making up your illness – but if we look at the chemical make-up that actually impact our mood and emotions, it is all going on in our head – in our brain, the balance and release of all of these various chemicals that create and maintain our mood on a hormonal and physical level.

Of course, and I know only too well, environment, trauma and experience can cause these initial imbalances, and can be terribly difficult to overcome. Also some people, on a biological level, just don’t produce enough of these chemicals, and will need some form of medication to get them started on their journey to better mental well-being, and maintenance of the same – myself included. There is zero shame in this, we didn’t get to choose our beginnings, or our initial brain chemistry, but we can choose to change it.

Instead of feeling insulting – now it feels empowering – to know that I can take physical action, that then results in physiological, hormonal, and chemical changes within my own brain. I didn’t fully believe it myself, until I started doing it.

I also understand the vicious cycle – it takes motivation, focus, etc to change, and begin action, and if these are already lacking on a physical, chemical level how do you begin? For me, the initial boosters were medication, therapy and educating myself through various books, and media on mental health. I was also blessed to be around others who had similar experiences and understood me. I then also, initially, just started going for walks, nothing heavy. I also later added wrist and ankle weights to this.

I can’t speak for others, all I can say is keep going, keep trying things, don’t give up, and believe me, that this is a physical illness, as well as mental, and like anything from a broken leg, to an infection – it can be treated to improve your life experience.

I also think, and I’m no anthropologist, that in an evolutionary sense, our bodies are wired for movement. Movement and action were so crucial to our survival for hundreds of thousands of years. If we wanted food, we had to find it, hunt it, or grow it. If we wanted access to water, we had to find and collect it. If we wanted to travel, we had to walk, run, swim, and climb over vast swathes of land. Our shelters were self-built, our clothes self-made.

In todays society, and I don’t think it is any coincidence that we have seen such a rise in mental health issues – of course this is also partly due to more accurate diagnosis and information – but we don’t have to be especially active to survive.

If we want water, in large parts of the world, we turn on a tap. So simple. If we want food we drive, largely stationary, to the shops, a 20-minute walk around and drive home again. So many of our jobs now are desk based, stationary for 6 or 8 hours a day.  Someone else makes our clothes, builds our shelter.

Not only does this impact our chemical make-up, but it also affects our sense of achievement and capability. So, for many, we must choose to move, to be active, and stimulate the release of these chemicals.

My personal choices are yoga (thought to be especially helpful in the treatment of trauma), swimming, occasional HIT workouts, and walking/running (I say running, it’s a mild jog, but that’s ok!). I also have a fitness peddler that I can use whilst watching TV in the living room if the mood takes me (Not as often as it should!). I’ve also recently taken up knitting, I think any movement at all, when you would normally be stationary, is beneficial, and adds to our feelings of well-being.

I also recently invested in some ‘barefoot’ shoes – I’ve been reading more and more, about the physical benefits, and clearly the physical affects the mental. I think once again, too, that it brings us closer to our roots as natural humans, we were thousands of years barefoot, or minimally shod, now our feet, and therefore our gait, are forced into all kinds of unnatural positions and shapes – surely this can’t be good for us either.

There is also new research into the effects of running barefoot on our brain function, specifically our memory, I’ll pop a link to a piece on that also. Unfortunately, our environment often prevents this, with all the dangers our feet encounter – barefoot shoes are the perfect middle ground.

In these difficult times we find ourselves enduring, restricted to our homes, and no clear end in sight, I think exercise, and physical activity is more crucial than ever. Even our normal jaunts – out dancing at the weekend, a swim in the local pool, a walk around several shops on a day out with friends – are withheld from us.
Invest in yourself, invest in fitness products – dumbbells, a yoga mat, a running belt that means you can listen to music whilst you go for a walk, an exercise bike that means you are moving whilst watching corrie. Get yourself some snazzy workout clothes – I always feel different when I get out of the dressing gown and into my workout gear. It’s the same as putting on your uniform for school, or work, it affects our mindset, and indicates we are changing mode.

I know that there are many things we can do without equipment – and of course they are valid too – but sometimes making that investment, and having a physical piece of equipment can also drive us to make use of it. Especially if we can watch telly at the same time, or listen to our favourite podcast.
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I hated hearing, for so long, that if I took up exercise I would feel better – and if this whole piece has just made you feel the same way – I challenge you to this; Whatever you’re doing right now, if you’re able, – stop – get out of your seat, or off the loo, or out of bed and just run or jump on the spot, vigorously, for 30 seconds. Then come back and tell me…. did it change the way you felt?


Links for further reading on the chemical components:
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-dopamine#1
https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/norepinephrine
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/serotonin#functions
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/exercise#Exercise-and-brain-chemistry
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/exercising-for-better-sleep#:~:text=Exercise%20Decreases%20Insomnia,to%20medical%20treatments%20for%20insomnia.
Link – Barefoot Memory Function
https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/barefoot-running-might-improve-your-memory-you-still-probably-shouldnt-do-it/

by Isobel

​I’ve heard the hype, watched the videos, and read a few reviews - barefoot shoes – every other person I follow on Instagram seems to be rocking them. At one time seemingly just a minority product for those with hippie notions, now the shoe of choice for top athletes, parkour geniuses, and fitness enthusiasts - even my therapist strolls in for session in his barefoot kicks.

But I’m not a runner, a fitness guru, or a parkour enthusiast – just your average mammy in Ireland, would they do me any favours?
My initial impression when shopping around different brands was that – OK -  they may not be the first choice when it comes to fashion or street cred – but then I came across Legauno – not your typical barefoot, fashion disaster – they actually look like regular shoes!

The ordering process was easy using the Leguano UK and Ireland site – I wasn’t sure whether to go for a UK size 4 or 5; as these days the sizing seems to be so variable between brands – even though years ago, I seem to remember being a 5 in everything, but by the by - I went for the 5, and with a couple of clicks they were on their way.  
 
Delivery can take up to two weeks, if your desired style is not in stock in the Ireland/UK store, but I was in luck – 3 days later they arrived. I was impressed with the packaging, minimal and lightweight, and easy to recycle. Also included was a beautiful brochure of the products, and a cute little guide to the background of barefoot shoes, and their benefits.

My limited understanding was that we humans roamed barefoot for hundreds of thousands of years before shoes existed, and anything that can bring us back to our roots, in this ever more disconnected, and artificial environment, must be a good thing! (Ok, I might have slight hippy notions…)

I had also heard of the supposed physical benefits and, suffering an increasingly dodgy knee and hip situation - in my thirties…. Really?! -  I thought these could be the answer.
If you’d like an depth read on the benefits of going ‘barefoot’, look no further then this article –
https://www.leguano.ie/blog/running-shoes-may-cause-injuries-but-is-going-barefoot-the-fix#/

Located on the Leguano UK and Ireland website – they can explain it far better than little old me!
The shoes feel like no other shoe I have ever owned, the quality is apparent the minute you take them out of the box. Super soft, and flexible to the touch – and beautifully stitched inside and out. Yet, you can tell they are also strong, and durable. They just feel… gorgeous.

I went for the Denim Sand – recommended for city, and office – as I planned to wear them doing my normal daily stuff – cleaning house, walking the dogs, doing errands, and working from home. I wanted them to suit my normal outfits – jumper, jeggings, and a messy bun! They remind me of the flat brogues that broke out over the last couple of years…
​
Ah the brogues… I love a flat shoe, especially with a pair of skinny jeans, but everything rubs! I’ve tried countless different brands of brogue, flat sneaker, and dolly shoe, and always end up with the heel of doom - blisters galore, and a manky plaster that won’t stay put! Or even worse… the abused little toe, squashed into a corner, with nowhere to go!

​I was a little sceptical of how they would hold up in the outdoors, and whether they would be just another toe/heel nightmare … but I’ve taken them for a good spin this week, and wow, how can seemingly so little shoe, do so much?

The comfort is on another level, it really is like wearing no shoes at all – but with all the protection that traditional shoes offer from the daily dangers our feet encounter. My legs and glutes felt like I’d taken on a mild squatting challenge (ok, I’m no guru, but I’ve gone to a fitness class here and there!). My dodgy knee wasn’t screaming at me at the end of a busy day, something that was becoming my normal, and my posture felt improved.

I felt light on my feet, the feedback is palpable, even driving the car I felt more in control, and connected to the pedals. They held up no matter the weather, and being able to machine wash them is a god send!

Also, the heel/toe fear? … Completely, and inexplicably, unfounded!! No squashing, no rubbing – a flat shoe that doesn’t cause me pain? Nothing short of a barefoot miracle!
Comfort, style, durability, and health benefits that are immediately apparent?

I’m sold!
… and although my 14 year old daughter looked at me like I’d lost the plot when I tried to sell her on them, after trying them on, she is now eyeing the Leguano Aktiv Winter and the Leguano Kosmo as potential Christmas presents… Maybe this time next year we’ll be a whole family of barefoot, fitness enthusiasts… maybe…

Running the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada is probably about as difficult in the end as it sounds. At least if you think it's not easy, but also not impossible.
Interestingly, the hardest part is not what you might think at first. It's not walking, not navigating, it's not the 4,200 km, not the 136,000 meters of altitude, and it's not even camping on snow. The most difficult thing is to convey these experiences in an even remotely understandable way. But I will do my best to leave a touch of impression and concentrate mostly on what is of most interest here:
Walking barefoot from Mexico to CanadaThe first days were hellI started on April 7th, 2019, we drove early in the morning with several cars from San Diego into the desert countless auxiliary acts also drove to the starting point of the PCT on the American-Mexican border. After some photos and the last advice (e.g. opening the rucksack chest and hip straps when crossing a river!) One after the other marched off. The first steps on an incredibly long journey.
I had teamed up with five others and we had agreed to stay together for the first time. But already after half a day the first misjudgment became clear, our tempos did not match at all. You have to go that way alone. By the way, I was the slowest. In several test hikes I had found that if I was walking too fast, I got blisters under my feet very quickly, no matter which shoes / socks / plasters or whatever I tested - but more on that later. As a North German flatland child, I also found that the first section of the PCT is something withheld in many experience reports or was probably lost in the overwhelming later experiences.
Honest said the first few days were more like hell for me. The combination of sand, heat, constant up and down hills and a backpack that was way too heavy pushed me to the absolute limit. On the first day I dragged myself to the agreed sleeping point at Hauser Creek, had hardly any energy left to cook anything and slept badly. The next morning it went steeply uphill and after a few minutes the blisters burst under my feet. I was very happy to have started much later than the others, because to be honest, I was completely exhausted. How should I manage that for half a year? When I got to the top I was desperate. I didn't know which hurt more, my back or my feet. I had been planning over a year and hadn't gotten far a day.
After the first day, we continued barefootI took off my shoes and socks and walked barefoot to the next place. I don't really know why I did that, because with the open blisters it was certainly not a good idea from a medical point of view. But it gave me a feeling of strength and freedom and like I said - I had to do something. Lake Morena is about mile 20. I didn't get to the place that many arrive on the first evening until around noon, spent the midday heat with a shower and lots of food and a little nap. Canceling wasn't an option, not this early. I had resolved to stick it out for the first two weeks, no matter what. So I did the only thing possible, I tried to adapt. I ran even slower, wallpapered my feet as best I could and got rid of as much stuff as possible at the next opportunity. After 100 miles the feet were bloody, after 300 healed. After 500 I was given trail running shoes and a success story began.
Walking barefoot on the PTCAnyone who expects to hear a story of salvation about barefoot shoes should be warned. I love walking barefoot and I love my leguanos. But to claim that something in this world is the right thing to do is unreasonable extremism. I wore my leguanos for about half of the 4,200km of the PCT and I think that was perfect. After I got new shoes, as I said, I mostly wore the leguanos for the first 10 to 15 miles a day, i.e. 16 to 24 km. Depending on the terrain and how tired my feet are. The rest of the day, when my feet felt as if they had insulted Klitschko's mother, I slipped into the heavily dampened trail runners and practically restarted the day.
I I am a physiotherapist and I think I know something about our musculoskeletal system. Running with strong cushioning and guidance does the work for our muscles. In the long run, our musculoskeletal system loses the ability to provide this cushioning and securing of the joints itself. We get problems with the leg axis, which leads to imbalances and uneven wear. Walking barefoot is therefore a workout and, as with any workout, there is one too many. Running tens of kilometers every day with a backpack weighing several kilograms without being used to it was too much. I am sure that training with barefoot shoes saved me from all possible injuries. I didn't have shin splints, knee or hip problems. My leg axis was guided by a sufficiently competent musculature, but the soles of my feet took a lot. I would therefore do the combination of shoes again at any time.
The sole of the leguano shoes actually turned out to be extremely helpful for many of the smaller climbing activities due to their high grip. Even with tricky river crossings or rain-soaked stones, I felt very comfortable in the quick-drying shoes. Even on snow, the eguanos made a surprisingly good impression.
Via the Pacific Crest TrailSpeaking of different terrain, maybe I should briefly provide some information about the PCT in general. As I said, it stretches over a total of about 4,200 km between Mexico and Canada, passes through the US states of California, Oregon and Washington and has pretty much everything to offer in terms of nature impressions. The first 700 miles are desert. Then it goes for about a month in the high mountains in the Sierra Nevada. If you want, you can make a short detour to the highest mountain in the USA, Mt. Whitney (4,420m). In any case, it goes over the Forrester Pass, which is quite high at about 4,000m. After the Sierra it goes through beautiful Oregon and Washington. These two states are a bit behind the Sierra with their big highlights,
My trail name: PolkadotsOn a long distance trail like the PCT, you are almost always given a trail name. I got mine in the desert. You often get this nickname because of some unusual character or appearance. Everyone always recognized me by my shoe prints in the sand and my fellow hiker, Diva, the footprint reminded me of the fashion design of a dotted pattern and so I was baptized polkadots.
outlook

I am infinitely grateful to have experienced this adventure and my plan is clear, I will run this trail again - if at all possible. I can't think of anyone more beautiful. I have already set a point in time. In 2058 - or whenever my generation retires - I want to distribute my polkadots between Mexico and Canada again.
Tom Clemens started the longest hike of his life in April 2019: He ran from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest T rail.

​

The experiment, designed by lead researcher Dr. Ross Alloway, undertaken with Dr. Tracy Alloway, associate professor, both from the Department of Psychology at UNF, and Dr. Peter Magyari, associate professor in the Department of Clinical and Applied Movement Sciences at UNF, is the first to show that running barefoot leads to better cognitive performance than running with shoes.
​
Working memory, our ability to recall and process information, is used throughout our lifespan. By improving it, we may be able to realize gains in key areas, from school to work to retirement.

"Working memory is increasingly recognized as a crucial cognitive skill, and these findings are great news for people looking for a fun way to boost their working memory," said Tracy Alloway.

The UNF researchers enlisted 72 participants between the ages of 18 and 44, who ran both barefoot and wore shoes at a comfortable, self-selected pace for approximately 16 minutes. Working memory was measured before and after running.

The results of this research, just published in Perceptual and Motor Skills, found a significant increase -- approximately16 percent -- in working memory performance in the barefoot-running condition. There was no significant increase in working memory when running with shoes. Additionally, the speed and heart rate of the participants was measured but neither was found to have any impact on working memory performance.

"The little things often have the greatest impact. This research shows us that we can realize our cognitive potential and enjoy ourselves at the same time," said Ross Alloway. "If we take off our shoes and go for a run, we can finish smarter than when we started."

When running barefoot, one often has to avoid stepping on potentially hurtful objects by using precise foot placement. As a result, study participants were required to step on flat objects to simulate running barefoot in an outdoors context. Though participants stepped on the flat objects with shoes and barefoot, only the barefoot condition saw improvements in working memory.
According to Ross Alloway, it's possible that the barefoot condition required a more intensive use of working memory because of the extra tactile and proprioceptive demands associated with barefoot running, which may account for the working memory gains.​

Story Source:
Materials provided by University of North Florida. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

1. R. G. Alloway, T. P. Alloway, P. M. Magyari, S. Floyd. An Exploratory Study Investigating the Effects of Barefoot Running on Working Memory. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 2016; 122 (2): 432 DOI: 10.1177/0031512516640391

Picture this! One evening in early March, you go about the last few minutes before bed planning what you are going to do the next day. You have just pulled off your socks, and barefoot for the first time since the morning, you lay out next to your bed the attire you plan to wear the next day. Some hours later, that alarm on your nightstand goes off and craving those few minutes of extra sleep, you hit the snooze one or two times. Finally after battling with your subconscious, you roll out of bed. You pad over to your sink in your bare feet, and wash up, brush your teeth and proceed to get dressed for the day, putting on that jacket and tie, blouse or dress. The time seems to flash by and you realize that you'd better hit the road.
Forgot Your Shoes?
You rush out the door and while waiting for the bus or train, or waiting to receive a package at the UPS office, you casually glance around. Your eyes are drawn to the shmorgasborg of footwear that is surrounding you. A pair of running sneakers paired with ankle socks. Next to that a pair of worn out scuffed up work boots flanked by a pair of jeans. A lady wearing a pair of elegant high heel boots with stockings making her legs appear as they were dipped in a bottle of indian ink. As you shift your stance, you feel your toes bend and as soon as your heel lands softly but unimpeded on the cool pavement, you realize that something is quite not right, but at the same time, it is so right.
You finally force yourself to look down and much to your shock, that your toes are in plain view and between your bare soles and the ground exists nothing in between. Before you tell yourself to snap out of it - it is only your imagination, something brings you back to reality when the lady beside you asks matter-of-factly, "forgot your shoes?"
You look down again and tell yourself that it can't be. But there are your toes staring back up at you. You feel the pavement underneath get colder as your foot feels the reality underneath. You lift up one foot and turn it in to notice your bare sole, now blackened from having not worn any footwear since the night before. You put your bare foot back down and look around again to realize that all those looks of those around you - some chuckles, some in shock or slight smiles - are fixed on your bare feet - quite a rare sight!Not even a pair of socks or the most minimalist footwear like flip flops - your feet in the raw! You feel like you're having one of those nightmares where you are naked in the company of everyone around you that is clothed.
Chances are you may react by clutching the side of your head in disbelief as you utter - "OMG! I can't believe I forgot to put on my shoes and socks! How was I barefoot this whole time?!"
You are ready to panic and dash home if you are close enough to scramble into your shoes and socks. If you are far from home already, you resign yourself to the fact you're somewhat naked - stuck in your bare feet while you toggle through your mind looking for first excuse you can find to tell them that you're going be late for your job or interview - any way to avoid of being seen "GASP" barefoot!
Now rest assured, chances are that since putting on footwear before leaving your home is so routine, it is highly unlikely that this will ever happen to you.
Let's say it did, however. Another feeling comes over you. You shrug and smile at those around you as if to say, "hey, look at that. I'm barefoot on a cool winter day!" It could actually be fun and you may relish in the fact that while others are bundled up, their feet separated from the outside world in their shoes and socks, here you are experiencing full freedom by feeling the cool ground underneath your bare feet.
I know I do. Many times I'm asked if I forgot my shoes. The question tends to be irrelevant since most of the time I don't wear shoes or socks at all.
Sometimes the answer is yes - since I'm so used to having absolutely nothing on my feet, those seldom occasions where I feel that footwear might make a favorable first impression, I'll end up anyway forgetting to bring along my footwear and end up coming to my appointments or meetings barefoot.
But rather than panicking, I end up being thrilled as I look forward to another day of living a healthy lifestyle in my naturally reliable bare feet and go forward with what I was planning to do for the day.
Barefoot as a Healthy Lifestyle
Guys, how many of you enjoy that feeling of getting home after a long day of work, and kicking off your shoes and peeling off those socks? And ladies in those uncomfortable heels, how great a relief is it to relieve your feet of that constraining feeling as well as peeling off those hose! As soon as your feet are breathing and your bare soles hit the floor or carpet, you feel like a new person, right?
Now how about those days when you go to the park or at the beach, you rush to be the first one to ditch your footwear and feel the cool grass under your soles or ocean waves brushing between your toes! Invigorating, right?
Now, just imagine experiencing that relief for an entire day. Your heels, arches, and toes are able happily stretch and breath without the constraints of anything on them. No waiting til you get home to bring your feet back to their natural state - bare - after almost ten nonstop hours in the office, or running around. Just imagine that feeling for an entire day. If you can imagine that, imagine being in that blissful state for multiple days at a time?
If you haven't imagined it, no need to worry, I don't imagine it either since, to begin with I almost never wear any kind of footwear. So rather than using my imagination, I get to live the experience of allowing my bare soles be in contact with every surface uninteruppted 24/7 and live the barefoot healthy lifestyle!
Living A Barefoot Healthy Lifestyle
Many people are realizing the health benefits of going barefoot. There are many articles written, and several health and wellness specialists are highly recommending it.
However, although there is a wealth of resources pertaining to the health benefits of bare feet, it seems that most of Western society looks at it as a something unsanitary, uncivilized and unprofessional while the most fashionable shoes, however uncomfortable and constraining they may be for your feet are seen as sophisticated and fashionable.
For the person who is educated about the benefits of going barefoot and conscious having healthy feet, unless he lives in a barefoot society, this can actually cost him his livelihood and social life. and it is for this reason that I created this site and named it the Barefoot Healthy Lifestyle.
The Barefoot Healthy Lifestyle is more than just about the joys of going barefoot. In this site I provide ideas and examples about how to implement your lifestyle choice. Your lifestyle choice consists of three components:
Health - as this site will show you through the careful research of articles and cases, the health benefits of going barefoot far outweigh the benefits of shoes. You will have the knowledge to present to anyone that challenges your lifestyle.
Wealth - This is a key determining factor about making your lifestyle choice. We all need to put food on the table, pay our bills and support ourselves and our families. But the question is do we need to sacrifice the things we are most passionate about? This will not bring happiness or even wealth. Wealth is not necessarily about having a ton of money and material possessions. Rather it is about having the freedom of choice how you want to live.
Does your work mainly get you by on your daily expenses or are you able to decide on the choice of the lifestyle you want to live.
Since I made the choice to be barefoot every minute of the day, I ruled out the option of a corporate 9-5 job carefully researching my other options and finding many that earn way more income than the 9-5 life.
In other sections in this site I will delve further about how you can earn a substantial income without having to compromise your lifestyle. If fact after you've gone through this site you will have the ability to earn more than the nine to five employee forced to comply with the office dress code
Freedom - Freedom is having the ability to live a lifestyle you want, deal with who you want, where you want and when you want. In living a life based on wages rather then profit, this is next to impossible.
Since freeing my feet and living a healthier lifestyle my goal is to help like-minded people achieve the same goals while accumulating wealth so you will never have to comply with someone else's rules and thus attain the freedom to maintain the lifestyle of your choice!
The Barefoot Healthy Lifestyle promotes the pleasure of being barefoot any time and any place you choose. You will learn and teach others how they can live a not only a healthier more prosperous lifestyle - and of their choice!
So kick off your shoes, take off your socks, flex those bare feet, wiggle your toes, and experience the joys of the Barefoot Healthy Lifestyle!
The author writes about giving valuable tips to promote foot health for acute and ongoing foot problems and pain on top of foot [http://www.painontopoffoot.us/]
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