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Going barefoot is the practice of walking without Shoe s or Sock s. It is more common in developing countries but less common in public in most industrialized countries due to greater availability of footwear and societal taboos against going barefoot. Some people enjoy the sensation of their feet in direct contact with the ground and make an effort to go barefoot whenever possible (often calling themselves "barefooters"). ACTIVITIES Barefoot hiking People who enjoy the sensation of walking barefoot often go barefoot on hikes in the countryside, which offers a greater variety of different surfaces to experience than typical indoor or city environments. (Bare Soil is considered particularly pleasant). In the -speaking countries have Barefoot Park s which are designed to be ideal for going barefoot. Barefoot sports Most Martial Art s are practiced barefoot, as well as many Gymnastics and dancing disciplines. Barefoot Beach Volleyball and Beach Soccer have become the favourites of many young people. Sports that make use of a Swimming Pool are usually practiced barefoot. In sports like Long-distance Running , most athletes run in shoes, but Abebe Bikila set world records running marathons with and without shoes. Some and Paul McFadden . (The NFL rules stipulate that a kicker has to at least wear two socks. Barefoot kickers had one of the socks cut off so that they resembled tubes.) Barefoot lifestyle A significant portion of the population even in Developed Countries enjoy going barefoot and a few of them are resisting their society's taboo against doing this in public. They maintain their barefoot Lifestyle as completely harmless to other people and desire tolerance of their choice not to wear shoes. RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL ASPECTS Sign of godliness Many religions consider removing shoes as appropriate when approaching holy places. In Exodus , Moses had to take off his shoes before approaching the burning bush. Muslim s must be unshod for prayer or to attend services in a mosque. Some Christian Church es practice barefoot Pilgrimage traditions. In the Hindu Religion , shoes are removed before entering temples. The preference to go barefoot elsewhere in India is in part due to the belief in cows as holy animals. Symbol of peace In ancient times, shoes predominantly served as military equipment. Therefore advised his Disciple s to go out for preaching the Kingdom of God without taking along shoes -- and Jesus is shown barefoot on most paintings to demonstrate his peaceful mission. One way to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi , is to walk barefoot around his monument. Even Pope John Paul II paid him this honour. Barefoot on stage In Dancing , Theatre , and Opera performances, bare feet often express emotions, fears, vulnerability, a down-to-earth attitude, and/or familiarity. It may often alleviate a performer's sense of nervousness or anxiety in such situations, as being barefoot tends to promote physical, and by implication, mental comfort. MYTHS There are many myths and popular misconceptions regarding regulations against bare feet. Driving Barefoot Many people like to drive barefoot, and argue that it is safer than wearing certain types of loose-fitting footwear, such as Flip-flop s. However, critics suggest that it may be dangerous in some situations. For instance, if a sudden stop is necessary and there is anything such as gravel or glass embedded in the brake pedal, the leg's reflexes may cause the foot to withdraw from the pedal, resulting in an increased stopping time. Regulations concerning driving barefoot vary from one jurisdiction to another:
No shoes, no shirt... In the United States , it is also frequently believed that OSHA regulations prevent people from going to stores, restaurants, and the like without shoes (or a shirt). In fact, the law (such as it is) refers specifically to employees and is designed to protect employers from lawsuits. There are no state health codes that ban customers from going barefoot in establishments, as is demonstrated by a project undertaken by The Society for Barefoot Living. Individual businesses, however, are free to refuse to serve customers without the footwear they deem appropriate. Individual cities and towns may also require certain footwear in public places. HEALTH ISSUES Risks There may be regional risks like poisonous plants or animals, or Parasite s that can enter the body through the skin or cuts on bare feet. For instance, the Intestinal Parasite Hookworm may Infect humans who walk on Soil containing hookworm Larva e (typically in areas of poor sanitation). Benefits Some physicians who espouse Natural Healing traditions recommend going barefoot as a measure against Flat Feet , Varicose Vein s, and Dorsal Pain . They believe that the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. Currently this issue has not undergone any peer-reviewed study, the standard for a practice to be accepted by the medical establishment. In the Far East, some areas have officially established Reflexology paths; the idea being that those who walk on them in bare feet, stimulating the foot reflexology points, will get the same benefits as a reflexology massage. Some evidence for the health benefits of going barefoot has been collected on the page Parents for Barefoot Children , although again this is not a peer-reviewed, scientific study. People who promote a barefoot lifestyle, such as Richard Frazine and members of The Society for Barefoot Living maintain that habitually going barefoot makes the feet tougher and far less susceptible (though not immune) to commonly feared hazards; this is echoed by former NJ health commissioner Len Fishman . REFERENCES
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