Do you have a pair of yoga shoes sitting at the back of your closet, or in the dark depths of your luggage? You might be wondering what their purpose is for, and why everybody seems to be obsessively wearing them.
Sitting in a pair of cheap foam-soled running shoes, or even a pair of casual sneakers, can wreak havoc on your body. Whilst the modern fashion world has embraced these mainstream looks, it has actually been proven that these ordinary shoes actually cause a number of muscle and joint problems.
If you are interested in undertaking some kind of physical activity such as yoga, then you should be aware about the benefits of using yoga shoes.
These types of shoes offer many advantages to people who spend time on their feet. They can also make your yoga experience more comfortable and less painful, especially if you have flat feet.
Here are ten benefits of wearing yoga shoes:
1. They Increase Lightness
Let’s start with the obvious one first. In most people’s minds, yoga shoes should be lightweight, right?
The real truth is that they shouldn’t feel too heavy when you wear them, or they might actually end up causing pain in your feet. The best way to achieve this goal is to purchase a type of yoga shoe that offers you the best balance between weight and cushioning. You can also check out reviews online from other yogis on how their shoes compare against each other.
2. They Offer Better Stability
With conventional shoes, the soles of your feet can have a tendency to slip and slide whilst you are doing yoga. This is especially true if you are working on those advanced positions such as balancing on one foot.
A pair of yoga shoes will give you the traction that you need to keep your balance, whilst still having enough flexibility in your movements. You’ll be able to work on any advanced positions with more confidence if you wear the appropriate footwear.
3. They Offer More Support
When you wear yoga shoes, your feet will be held in a more secure position than in normal sneakers or running shoes. This means that you’ll be able to concentrate purely on the poses and not give the wrong amount of pressure to your feet.
In addition, the soles of yoga shoes are thick and durable, meaning that they can absorb more shock while you are doing poses. This will prevent any foot injuries, which is always a good thing.
4. They Prevent Muscular Strain
When you have flat feet and you wear conventional shoes, then it is almost inevitable that you will suffer from back pain at some point.
If you wear yoga shoes, however, then this problem is eliminated. This is due to the type of sole that yoga shoes have. Instead of being made of hard rubber or plastic, they are actually made from a softer material which conforms more to your feet.
5. They Prevent Injury
In the end, yoga is no different from any other type of physical activity. If you don’t wear the appropriate footwear, then you might find yourself falling over whilst doing your asanas. This can lead to injuries such as sprains, fractures and even broken bones.
Wearing yoga shoes will make sure that your feet are protected from any potential injuries. Not only will they prevent injury by offering extra support, but they are also lightweight and comfortable to wear.
6. They Increase Foot Strength
If you are someone who has flat feet, then it is critical to have strong feet. This will allow you to connect more safely with the ground in the poses.
By wearing yoga shoes, you’ll be able to do yoga barefoot outdoors and still be able to maintain your balance. This will increase your confidence when doing asanas and give you more strength in your ankles, knees and legs.
7. They Reduce foot stress.
The ankles, knees and legs are very important for any physical activity. When you do yoga in your shoes, it is common for the lower part of your body to be stressed. Your ankles, knees and legs will experience strain due to the extra weight of traditional sneakers or running shoes.
Wearing yoga shoes will take some of the pressure off your ankles, knees and legs. This will allow you to focus more on the poses rather than having to keep up with what is happening below the knee.
8. They Provide a Better Grip
It is the sole of your feet that actually connects you to the floor. This is where you get your grip from, and it’s critical to have strong feet if you want to hold yourself in yoga poses.
A lot of yoga shoes have soles made from rubber or natural materials. These types of soles offer a much better grip on almost any surface, including wood floors and hardwood floors.
9. They Can Provide More Comfort
Most of us live in modern times and wear shoes that are not suitable for yoga. This is why the best yoga shoes are those that offer a lot of cushioning, especially where your feet are concerned.
The thicker and more rubberized they are, the more comfortable they will be. Any pressure is instantly transferred to the removable insole so you won’t feel any discomfort after wearing them for an hour or two at a time.
10. They Offer a Flexible Fit
Most of the time, we are used to wearing shoes that will take some time to break in. Don’t worry if you don’t have the luxury of having a pair of yoga shoes that will mold to you feet after just a few wears. In most cases, it’s completely normal to feel stiff soles after the first few times you wear them.
These types of shoes should become more flexible over time, and they should conform to your feet after several wears. This means that they will be able to provide a better support and overall comfort.
Also Read: 10 Benefits of Wearing Without Socks Shoes
To Sum Up!
Yoga shoes are an essential component of practice. Many yogis wear these shoes in the majority of their classes, and they can offer a lot of benefits to you.
Try to invest in a pair that offers the best balance between weight and support, so you can continue doing yoga for years to come. When you are shopping for yoga shoes, make sure that you check out reviews from other yogis to see if they have any experience with them.
If you have any questions regarding the best yoga shoes, feel free to shoot me an email! I am always more than happy to help.