walking Barefooted II

The Ancient Trail called me again. It’s 9:30 am, breezy and lots of dew on the grass, with shady places to rest. It is August first.  This mound trail is a restored prairie, surrounded by old trees, filled with patches of wildflowers, tall grass and blossoms of many colors. Today I saw white morning glories vining up 5-foot tall, blue stemmed asters, yellow sunchokes, and purple iron weed to name a few.  And so many shades of green!

Today, runners passed me, sweat glistening on their skin, the scent of their bath soap lingering in the air as they pass. I notice the tall grasses being moved by their air as they run.  I am alone, they come and go so quickly.  Three weeks ago on the last walk, I stopped more often to let my feet and ankles adjust.  My body is quicker today, the loop takes less time, even barefooted as before. I am learning to walk with softness.  My right ankle spoke up toward the middle of the one mile loop.  I pause when needed, and realize my hips are not in balance.  I have a slight lean to the right, very subtle, and it makes my metatarsals (the long bones on the boot , above the toes) on the right unhappy.

I lead with my hips to even out the gait.  My left hip is confused, so I slow down to half the speed, and half again. My mind tracks the movement, the gait evens out. I stay with this exploration for 30-40 feet, then pause and walk normally without thinking.  Metatarsals speak. Ok, lead with the hip, rinse and repeat!  The third time, my gait is more even, and I can stop paying so much attention, my foot is silent.

The arising discovery of my deep un-conscious patterns has a powerfully, healing effect.  Next time, I will discover the interplay between my low back and shoulders.  Is the crankiness of my left shoulder related to my right foot and gait discrepancy???  I am working my way up!  Happy feet, happy body!