The Tai Chi Healthways Discussion Board

jb wrote:

jb wrote: One of my sifus practises in barefeet in the studio, and now I do likewise. It feels good. Very grounded.

One drawback, however, is that when my feet sweat -- they stick to the floor. Ugh.

Ugh is right. I don't practice barefoot too much myself, but on occassion.

Interestingly, while staying in our home, CXW was outside practicing barefoot. My wife and I went outside to practice and get corrections. He was barefoot, in shorts and a t-shirt, drinking tea, all while moving around.

He sat us down, did a demo of Xinjia Yilu/Erlu, complete with powerful stomps. I thought he was going to crack the concrete patio he was demo'ing on ... barefoot!

Then he proceded to teach us, again barefoot. It was interesting to watch his feet and dantian when he wasn't wearing his usual uniform or in street clothes/shoes.

feihu wrote:

jb wrote:

jb wrote: One of my sifus practises in barefeet in the studio, and now I do likewise. It feels good. Very grounded.

One drawback, however, is that when my feet sweat -- they stick to the floor. Ugh.

Ugh is right. I don't practice barefoot too much myself, but on occassion. Interestingly, while staying in our home, CXW was outside practicing barefoot. My wife and I went outside to practice and get corrections. He was barefoot, in shorts and a t-shirt, drinking tea, all while moving around. He sat us down, did a demo of Xinjia Yilu/Erlu, complete with powerful stomps. I thought he was going to crack the concrete patio he was demo'ing on ... barefoot! Then he proceded to teach us, again barefoot. It was interesting to watch his feet and dantian when he wasn't wearing his usual uniform or in street clothes/shoes.

Good. If the Master can do it, then I can do it. Once, on a retreat, I did a barefoot walking meditation on a large lawn. The feeling was fantastic.

Here is one of my new Taiji boots:

jb wrote:Here is one of my new Taiji boots:

Wow! They look very expensive !

andrey wrote:

jb wrote:Here is one of my new Taiji boots:

Wow! They look very expensive !

Priceless

My favorites are the KEEN brand shoes, the women's Presidio in particular!
No other shoes give me the stable, light feeling that these do - and I can do great spins!

The KEENs have a large toe box, so you can really spread your toes and get great balance. I like that they don't have a heel, and aren't spongy like running shoes.

I have similar to this for regular practice. But prefer practicing bare foot when on sandy beach or on the grass.