Hey, it's summer so kick off your shoes! Did you know, we were born to walk barefoot? Shoes weren't known to be used until about 40,000 years ago when the first sandal type moccasins may have been worn.
Don't get me wrong here, shoes do protect our feet, but...
Questions have been raised to query whether walking barefoot can improve our strength and balance, resolve hip, back or knee ailments, and prevent painful foot deformities like bunions or fallen arches. Research suggest that shoes actually change the shape of our feet and the way that we walk.
So what does this have to do with grounding?
In yoga class, we talk about "grounding ourselves" and connecting to the earth. You'll hear it mostly in Easy Seat or Mountain Pose, maybe Savasana. Does this sound familiar, "ground all four corners of the feet, feel the connection with the earth supporting you"?
What exactly does it mean to ground?
Grounding can also be accomplished by walking barefoot, lying on the ground or through submersion in water. Sometimes you'll hear it be called "earthing" or reconnecting with the earth.
Scientific effects of grounding...
Did you know that there is energy on the surface of the earth that provide positive benefits to the human body? Yes! Walking barefoot can be therapeutic. It allows energy from the earth to draw into the body. This energy acts as an antioxidant to reduce free radicals and help our immune systems filter toxins. Research is ongoing to discover whether grounding can assist the body with inflammation, cardiovascular disease, muscle damage, chronic pain, and mood.
What does this all mean?
Try it...do some grounding techniques of your own and notice how you feel. Just go find a spot in the grass and lay down or maybe take a walk barefoot on a safe pathway or while you garden. Read more to learn about grounding, I'll provide some links below.
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