Footwear constricts our feet. The rise in popularity of barefoot activity in the UK is undeniable. Health experts and habitual barefooters generally have stronger feet, better flexibility and fewer ailments. Going along with nature, baring your sole, walking your socks off, are commonly used phrases by advocates and enthusiasts who cannot get enough of the sensory delight the experience offers.
World history and context offers a background. In China, reflexology paths paved with stones have been used for thousands of years to enhance physical and mental well-being.
Bavarian monks in the 19th century believed that wading barefoot through wet grass or shallow water stimulated internal organs, strengthening the immune system, and helped the body to heal itself. Today, variations of this `Kneipp` therapy are practised in spas worldwide. In the late 1960s, hippies shunned footwear, forcing authorities to introduce policies against bare feet, causing the practice to become out of style.
Today there is a massive resurgence. In 2000, John Woodward, an Alexander technique teacher, launched barefoot running courses in the Lake District. 2006 saw the UKs first outdoor barfuss (german for barefoot) trial open in Nottingham, followed by another in greenwood forest park in Gywnedd in 2009. Many intellectualise about the increased popularity, or illustrate the health benefits; others claim that the experience is for fun!
The growing catalogue of scientific reference and support for barefoot running and activity, is impressive. Daniel E Lieberman, professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard, has conducted his own research, and concludes that people who don’t wear shoes when they run have an astonishingly different foot strike. Barefoot runners who land on the middle or front of the foot, experience very little impact collision, and much less than most shod runners generate when they heel strike. Runners and walkers alike, will say that heel striking is painful, and can be damaging unless rectified. It could be argued therefore, that barefoot running can lead to a reduction in repetitive stress injuries.
Ted McDonald, featured in McDougall`s ‘Born to Run’ book, cites barefoot running as the only solution he could find to unbearable lower back pain. It is also relevant and interesting to see that he became the only barefoot runner in the copper canyon Mexican ultra marathon.
Barefoot running is still quite rare in elite competitive situations. Previous exponents, such as Abebe Bikila; Rome Olympic marathon champion in 1960, Tegla Laroupe, and Zola Budd regularly competed unshod. For lesser athletes and those going barefoot for fun, a gradual approach is likely to reap most reward! Walking barefoot, then starting to run on grass and or concrete, strengthening the feet skin, and increasing time and distance will allow that sensory delight to develop!
Vibram Five Fingers are available from Chelston Direct.com
Saturday
SnOasis - Suffolk Snow Dome
SnOasis is a unique concept in sporting excellence and family activity holidays, based in East Anglia, amongst fine countryside. The SnOasis is a centre which will be used by British teams at all levels, and amateur enthusiasts across the age and ability span.
SnOasis is an all encompassing tourist destination, built on a 350-acre site and entirely privately funded. With an estimated construction time of 30 months, this project creates 3500 jobs and, on completion, the equivalent of 1800 full time positions. It is at the forefront of technologically advanced planning to cater for projected visitor numbers of 650,000 per year. It plans to generate 75% of energy used from low carbon and renewable technologies all closely monitored by developers and governments across the world.
This winter sports academy offers extensive and first class facilities for elite and visiting athletes, students, school parties, families and individuals all requiring the best in winter sports opportunities and the best in accommodation -hostel, apartments, or log cabins. All this and more is designed on one site, with every holiday activity right on your doorstep.
At the heart of SnOasis is Europe’s largest ski slope: 415 metres long and 70 metres wide, incorporating 100 metre vertical drop, enough to challenge and satisfy dedicated and fun seeking skiers alike!
The centre offers world class facilities in 14 different winter sports, incorporating a 400 metre ice skating track, a cross country skiing circuit, and 100 metre bobsleigh push start track.
SnOasis is designed with the family in mind and offers a fast transition from street to snow. The 100-metre long nursery slope is designed to build confidence and skill. There will be a luge run, a bobsleigh fun ride, an ice climbing wall, leisure ice rink, swimming pool, fitness gym, jogging track, skate park and 10 pin bowling alley plus other fun activities housed in the dedicated entertainment dome.
Also, SnOasis incorporates water-based activities: fishing, windsurfing, rowing, canoeing, and sailing. The entertainment dome features a snooker/pool hall, rock climbing wall, squash and tennis, and 5 a side football facilities.
It is planned that this East Anglian gem is easily accessible by road, rail and air. The project includes improvements to the A12/A14 road intersection, and a new mainline station, giving a direct link to Liverpool Street and more. Cycle tracks, planting 130 000 trees and working to offer the best experience to all visitors is the driving aim of the project.
SnOasis is an all encompassing tourist destination, built on a 350-acre site and entirely privately funded. With an estimated construction time of 30 months, this project creates 3500 jobs and, on completion, the equivalent of 1800 full time positions. It is at the forefront of technologically advanced planning to cater for projected visitor numbers of 650,000 per year. It plans to generate 75% of energy used from low carbon and renewable technologies all closely monitored by developers and governments across the world.
This winter sports academy offers extensive and first class facilities for elite and visiting athletes, students, school parties, families and individuals all requiring the best in winter sports opportunities and the best in accommodation -hostel, apartments, or log cabins. All this and more is designed on one site, with every holiday activity right on your doorstep.
At the heart of SnOasis is Europe’s largest ski slope: 415 metres long and 70 metres wide, incorporating 100 metre vertical drop, enough to challenge and satisfy dedicated and fun seeking skiers alike!
The centre offers world class facilities in 14 different winter sports, incorporating a 400 metre ice skating track, a cross country skiing circuit, and 100 metre bobsleigh push start track.
SnOasis is designed with the family in mind and offers a fast transition from street to snow. The 100-metre long nursery slope is designed to build confidence and skill. There will be a luge run, a bobsleigh fun ride, an ice climbing wall, leisure ice rink, swimming pool, fitness gym, jogging track, skate park and 10 pin bowling alley plus other fun activities housed in the dedicated entertainment dome.
Also, SnOasis incorporates water-based activities: fishing, windsurfing, rowing, canoeing, and sailing. The entertainment dome features a snooker/pool hall, rock climbing wall, squash and tennis, and 5 a side football facilities.
It is planned that this East Anglian gem is easily accessible by road, rail and air. The project includes improvements to the A12/A14 road intersection, and a new mainline station, giving a direct link to Liverpool Street and more. Cycle tracks, planting 130 000 trees and working to offer the best experience to all visitors is the driving aim of the project.
Wednesday
Ski and Snowboard Show
This winter the Ski and Snowboard Show will return to London Olympia from the 20th – 24th October having secured a three year dual media partnership with The Independent and London Evening Standard.
The media partnerships reflect the new direction in which the annual consumer ski and snowboard show is moving, as it introduces a range of activities and ticket packages aimed at attracting a broader spectrum of visitor.
Tim Holmes, Head of Snowsports said:
“We are extremely excited about teaming up with the Independent Newspaper and the London Evening Standard. The partnership is perfect for the show in that it combines the renowned travel editorial position of the Independent with the ability to target a precise London audience through the Evening Standard. The long term nature of the deal represents a huge potential for growth in the audience of the show as well as providing our sponsors and exhibitors with the support they require from national UK newspapers.”
The dual media partnership will see both publications have a presence at the show and will support the annual event through both advertising and editorial coverage.
Simon Calder, Senior Travel Editor of The Independent, said:
"The Independent Traveller has always sought to inspire, inform and entertain skiers and snowboarders, with top-class writers including Stephen Wood and Tam Leach carving new frontiers in winter sports. We are thrilled to be supporting the UK's premier ski show in 2010 and beyond, and look forward to an exciting event."
Jon O'Donnell, Advertisement Director of the Evening Standard said:
“A long term partnership with the Ski and Snowboard Show makes absolute sense for us at a time when they are focussing even more on attracting our key audience - young, upmarket Londoners. As London's quality newspaper we've consistently supported the kind of events and exhibitions that affluent Londoners love, and our greater reach and readership means that we can do this even more effectively than ever before.'
Previous partner Land Rover returns to the 2010 show after signing a two year deal with VOS Media to become the Official Vehicle Sponsor. This year they will support three areas of the exhibition including a free Land Rover ice driving experience for visitors.
The annual consumer event will also host an all-new Mountain Theatre with talks from awe inspiring explorers such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes along with Winter Olympians and world class ski and snowboarders. The new theatre takes its place alongside popular existing attractions, Destination Quebec Husky Lodge, Trespass Big Air Competition and Les 3 Vallees Resort Bar.
A new pricing structure has also been launched with 500 exclusive passes entitling visitors access to an Aosta Valley VIP Lounge, sample food and drinks from the region, front row seating for the Mountain Theatre and wintersports kit.
The media partnerships reflect the new direction in which the annual consumer ski and snowboard show is moving, as it introduces a range of activities and ticket packages aimed at attracting a broader spectrum of visitor.
Tim Holmes, Head of Snowsports said:
“We are extremely excited about teaming up with the Independent Newspaper and the London Evening Standard. The partnership is perfect for the show in that it combines the renowned travel editorial position of the Independent with the ability to target a precise London audience through the Evening Standard. The long term nature of the deal represents a huge potential for growth in the audience of the show as well as providing our sponsors and exhibitors with the support they require from national UK newspapers.”
The dual media partnership will see both publications have a presence at the show and will support the annual event through both advertising and editorial coverage.
Simon Calder, Senior Travel Editor of The Independent, said:
"The Independent Traveller has always sought to inspire, inform and entertain skiers and snowboarders, with top-class writers including Stephen Wood and Tam Leach carving new frontiers in winter sports. We are thrilled to be supporting the UK's premier ski show in 2010 and beyond, and look forward to an exciting event."
Jon O'Donnell, Advertisement Director of the Evening Standard said:
“A long term partnership with the Ski and Snowboard Show makes absolute sense for us at a time when they are focussing even more on attracting our key audience - young, upmarket Londoners. As London's quality newspaper we've consistently supported the kind of events and exhibitions that affluent Londoners love, and our greater reach and readership means that we can do this even more effectively than ever before.'
Previous partner Land Rover returns to the 2010 show after signing a two year deal with VOS Media to become the Official Vehicle Sponsor. This year they will support three areas of the exhibition including a free Land Rover ice driving experience for visitors.
The annual consumer event will also host an all-new Mountain Theatre with talks from awe inspiring explorers such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes along with Winter Olympians and world class ski and snowboarders. The new theatre takes its place alongside popular existing attractions, Destination Quebec Husky Lodge, Trespass Big Air Competition and Les 3 Vallees Resort Bar.
A new pricing structure has also been launched with 500 exclusive passes entitling visitors access to an Aosta Valley VIP Lounge, sample food and drinks from the region, front row seating for the Mountain Theatre and wintersports kit.
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