Barefoot Tips
- Walk barefoot where ever you can as a building tool for running.
- "Think" about landing midfoot by bring toes up, this will aid you in the feel of the movement and shift your center of gravity back for better natural form.
- You will actually land on the forefoot and then heel quickly but this is very subtle.
- Lift the foot up directly under your body and keep knees relaxed so they can bend easily.
- Move forward with shorter steps.
- Listen to your run/walk. If you hear "thud" "thud" then you are heel striking. If you feel a gliding, quieter gait then your on to it.
- Torso is straight sitting directly over hips or slightly leaning forward from hips. Go with what feels most natural to you.
- Don't tuck your tailbone or buttock just let your body relax and move naturally.
- Think of "stomping the grapes" when walking and learning to run barefoot.
- Relax shoulders and arms.
- Go to our You Tube segment on "Barefooting for Fitness" for more tips.
- Start walking before running to allow the skin to gain its natural protective layer.
- Watch where you walk/run to avoid injury.
- Be careful under trees where insects like to hang out on the ground.
- Build up slowly as you would in any movement routine where the feet and skin must be able to adapt to the change.
- In running, if you feel aching around the smaller bones of your foot stop barefoot running until the aching is completely gone to avoid stress fractures.
- If running begin in grass or softer surfaces.
- Refer to The McCall Body Balance Method for tips on hip, knee, and torso position for walking and running.