Barefoot Running

Running barefoot in India, and even around the world seems to be an activity only someone from a cult would do. 

It is seen as dirty, unhealthy and outright unsafe by most.

Interestingly, there is no evidence of the last bit especially.

You would assume that running barefoot on hard surfaces like we have today would put you at a higher risk of injury. And your notion comes from a very valid place.

We have been sold the idea that more cushion means less impact and it also makes sense to some extent, but only for completely stiff objects. 

When you wear super cushioned shoes, your body gets farther from the ground. And the impact reduces for a second but then your mind comes into play. 

Given we are dynamic creatures who have our own learnings over years and years of evolution, our muscles get to work. 

We can create the most thrust forward, when we jam our foot into the floor, create the maximum amount of friction and push forward. When you wear shoes that are super soft, that data goes missing. It takes a lot more effort and pressure to create the same amount of friction and same amount of stability for a push off. 

The result, even higher amounts of reaction forces that go straight to your joints and increase your chances of injury. 

When your heel is elevated, you are prone to use a heel strike as you run, something that didn't really exist before the shoe era. This change creates yet another muscle offset as we run. 

Now both these issues, if trained for are completely okay, but it is important to know that this new learning is away from how we are naturally supposed to run. 

Running barefoot allows you to use your muscles are they are supposed to. 
Feeling the ground, the muscles fatigue in real time, means you are better prepared and aware of your body giving it a chance to adapt. 

Try it out, and feel the difference yourself.
It takes time however. Take it slow, listen to your body, don't push beyond pain and before you know it, you will be stronger than ever.

And if you're worried about getting your feet dirty or being safe from the elements, barefoot shoes end up being a perfect middle ground.