Remember my last article about ditching mindfulness apps and reconnecting with your body to experience the present moment? This time, let’s dive deeper. Forget the tired old sayings like “healthy body, healthy mind” — they haven’t exactly revolutionized our lives, have they? We’re about to explore some fresh ideas that challenge the status quo and unlock your body’s true potential as a gateway to the present. If you haven’t read my previous article, take 3 minutes to check it out:
Why Just Exercising isn’t Enough?
Sure, exercise is good for us. But often, we do it mindlessly, repeating patterns that actually limit us. We’re stuck in a state of body unconsciousness, relying on outdated ideas of “healthy” without considering the fascinating interplay of our muscles, movement patterns, and body structure. It’s a new way of seeing ourselves — radical embodiment suggests how we move directly affects how we think.
The key: Cultivating Body Cconsciousness
Think about walking. Doctors recommend it for everyone — great for basic heart health and muscle toning, but incomplete without considering the latest science. It’s not just about walking; it’s about how you walk, using the right neuromuscular patterns. Experts even debate the “right” way to walk, which is kind of crazy — shouldn’t our bodies intuitively know how to move optimally? My answer is no, because of our amazing adaptability. We can adapt to anything, even the “wrong” things, because that’s what keeps us going. But these adaptations aren’t always ideal from an evolutionary standpoint.
Here’s the trick: walking barefoot, striking the ground with the ball of your foot first, and propelling yourself with your back leg. This aligns with our evolutionary design and considers our body’s anatomy. It’s tensegrity — the way you move impacts your entire structure, from toes to head. We often squeeze our feet into stylish shoes, even though minimalist options are becoming more popular.
Walking barefoot is just the first step to body consciousness. It’s an example of the kind of exercise needed to improve how conscious we are of our bodies. After all, walking barefoot requires attention to how your feet land on uneven ground.
The Implications are Powerful
Walking barefoot naturally encourages a slightly forward posture, reflecting a proactive mindset and efficient neuromuscular patterns. This is basic body language! To walk barefoot you need to push on your back leg. Then, this slight forward move engages your abs, your glutes, all your legs and hips muscles, and helps you release your back. Barefoot walking engages your whole body, not just your legs. It requires active participation, as opposed to the laziness of walking on your heels in restrictive shoes. This “passive” walking uses less energy but also less consciousness, potentially leading to depression or even passive aggressiveness — but don’t get mad at me, it took me more than 50 years to understand this!
Faulty movement patterns can lead to pain, discomfort, and affect your thinking and memory. They impact your overall health. So, why our feet have a quarter of our bones, with numerous tiny bones, tendons, and muscles? Why would evolution have favored this architecture so as not to use it? Some experts will say that the same evolution that made our feet brilliant mechanics led us to invent a better solution! Yes, they are right, but for walking on your heels and being on reserve, not to be active, conscious of your sensations, working your muscles, and using your full body. After all, evolution isn’t always about progress; which is why some species disappear.
This was an example about the necessity of walking barefoot — or minimalist for social conventions. Walking barefoot is a must, but not the only way, to reach the “now” goal. My experience and scientific evidence suggest that increasing body consciousness allows your body and mind to move more freely. It’s the embodiment of thought — how you move shapes your thinking, and vice versa. It’s still a new idea, but radical embodiment and enactivism theories are gaining traction with more researchers into it.
Stay tuned for future articles on:
- The connection between your nervous system and body, and how being present can improve your mind and emotions.
- Debunking myths about “healthy” bodies and exploring the concept of functional movement.
- Practical exercises to improve body awareness and movement patterns.
Get ready to break free from conventional thinking and experience the transformative power of being in the now. Your body not just a vessel; it’s the key to unlocking your full potential and living freely. I believe this approach is a fresh perspective on achieving the grand goal of yoga: a materialistic understanding of Enlightenment.
References in this article: “The Body Has a Mind of Its Own” by Sandra and Matthew Blakeslee and, “The Brain That Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge M.D