Hey everyone, This may seem like a silly question, but is there a correct way to walk barefoot? Are your heels supposed to made contact with the ground first before the rest of your foot? I've read that you want to put most of the weight on the balls of your feet. Or is it just a matter of relaxing and not thinking about it? Also, what does everyone here do in the case of special events such as a wedding or funeral? Do you put on the shoes so as not to offend anyone or just go barefoot? I haven't gotten to the point where I can do that. Sadly, I'm afraid that people will think I'm being rude, immature, outlandish, or silly. So far, that seems to be most of the reactions I've gotten from people. I haven't seen any other barefooters where I live. It'll be exciting when it happens!
You should do whatever feels good. For more advice, here are a few links on some ways to improve your gait. http://www.unshod.org/pfbc/pfrossi2.htm http://www.runningbarefoot.org/?name=How http://www.runningbarefoot.org/?name=BallHeelBallCorrectWayRun1998Gontang Play around on these sites, and see the [thread=76509]"Organisational Sites..."[/thread] thread under "Bare It!" for more links.
One foot at a time preferably, people will give you strange looks just being barefoot, don't want to add to it by hopping around.
As for how to walk, it depends on the surface. When I'm walking around on rocky, rough terrain I put more weight on the balls of my feet, lift my heels using the calf muscles, and put my shoulders back and lower back forward so that I can make adjustments in weight distribution very quickly. It is like putting the body into a mode similar to a car's suspension. It actually feels good doing this, and I think it's good exercise to keep the spine, back, shoulders, and neck aligned. Try it next time you're walking barefoot on gravel or uneven surfaces. Going barefoot a lot will strengthen your calf muscles and it becomes almost effortless to walk this way. As for formal events like weddings, funerals, etc. I usually wear at least flip flops, and if it's a real formal event full of people who aren't already familiar with my barefoot lifestyle, then maybe I'll put on some socks and walk around in socks!
As you accumulate more "barefoot time", your gait will naturally adjust itself as appropriate; I'd not worry too much about it, as too much attention to your gait will detract from the experience and will just be wearying. As far as formal events go, I usually dress in formal Thai attire which lends itself naturally to bare feet, effectively creating a sufficient distraction to make the bare feet a secondary consideration. I've been showing up to everything from State dinners to Board Inaugurations barefoot for over 14 years, however, so folks here would be shocked if I showed up shod...
As a hard core shorts wearer, I'll do ANYthing to never have to wear longs. A compromise that often works is I wear shorts, a little nicer than the ones I work in, not too dressy, and clean hiking sandals or FLOPS. This is one time I really don't want to be seen as dirty. We're trying to gain acceptance here! For some reason, flops are probably more acceptable than the hiking sandals, but don't ask me why. So that's what I do for summer events. In this climate when it's severe, the shorts still stand, but I'd probably show up in low cut hiking shoes with no-show socks, or, the hiking sandals. Then, at many events, the flops, sandals, or whatever, can come OFF! Young women get away with this, and as long as we're clean, so should we.
When i walk i tend to swing my hips a little, reach for the ground with my forefoot (which automatically pulls my toes back) and step straight down. Sounds awkward, but it works for me! Be carefull not to walk heel-toe on hard surfaces.
