What should I wear on my feet when I’m dancing?
Some things to consider next time you hit the floor to throw some shapes! 💃
We have 26 bones and 33 joints in each foot and all need movement in multiple directions.
The problem with this, is that for many of us, we’ve grown up wearing shoes that are not foot friendly.
What this means is:
narrow toe box - so you can’t splay or spread your toes
raised heel - even in trainers the heel is higher than the ball of the foot so it puts the foot on a slope shorting the achilles tendon and reducing ankle range of movement
arch support - this is contentious: the arch of the foot is an action meaning the arch should spread and lift like a trampoline with every step. Arch support stops that, so the muscles atrophy and the foot joints stiffen.
flexible soles - the feet have their own in-built technology and binding them in tight, stiff material means that technology can’t function at it’s best.
Soooo, when you hit the dance floor and throw your shapes with vigour, if your feet aren’t ready for it, they’ll let you know.
Barefoot if you’re used to it
Barefoot is great if you are used to being barefoot for long periods of time. 60 mins is a lot of work on the feet, so if you’re not ready, start with 15 minutes barefoot then pop your shoes back on.
Heels might be a hindrance
I don’t want to be anti-heels here, as I know many people who love their prized collection of wedges and stilettos. If you want to really let go and move freely, leave your heels at home for this one.
Foot friendly shoes are best
If you’re wearing shoes, make them comfortable, flat and wide so your feet can slide, shuffle, jump and spin. If you’re interested in shoes that are cool AND foot friendly, check out my SHOE LIST.
How to begin with a little extra care for your feet?
The best starting point is spreading the toes when you’re shoe free. They get squashed together in our shoes and the joints can be really stiff and movement limited. Start gently with spreading. Try and get some fresh air in there!
REMINDER: Spread your toes.
Get to know the stiff ones and the mobile ones.
Be curious about the personality and flavour of each of your feet. They are UH-mazing and it is truly incredible how a little bit of attention goes a long way!