Sensory zone
Elsewhere in Europe they can be found, of
varying lengths, in France, Austria, Den-
mark, T_h e Netherlands and Switzerland.
SOLE ATTRACTION
T_h ere are many ways to design a barefoot
walk, but each one should include a variety
of textures to awaken the senses in the feet.
T_h ese can vary from sof_t massaging surfac- Y
N
es like grass and sand to more challenging
A
M
textures such as shingle and coarse gravel.
R
E
T_h e dif_f erent surfaces are believed to
,
G
B
R
stimulate the cardiovascular system, regu-
O
D
late blood pressure and thereby improve
A
:
B
O
circulation. Advocates of barefoot walking
T
O
also believe it can strengthen the body’s
H
P
immune system, as minerals and elements
from the ground can be absorbed through T_h ere are many
PRACTICAL POINTERS
the soles of the feet. dif_f erent ways to Regardless of their design, all natural barefoot trails require
Many trails start and end with a Kneipp design a barefoot regular maintenance. Staf_f at the Trentham Estate conduct checks
cold water basin to energise the feet, like walk, but each twice a day, while up to f_i ve volunteers spend half-a-day each
the barefoot walk in Lienen, which advises should include a week keeping the path in Lienen clean. Tasks include raking over
users to tread water for three minutes variety of textures sand, keeping the area free of litter and ensuring surfaces are safe.
before embarking on the two.fitted.five.fittedkm trail. Lo- and mediums to Most walks provide lockers for shoes – Lienen invests the
cated on the edge of the Teutoburger Forest, stimulate the feet money it makes from locker hire back into the trail – as well as
Germany, the path was developed in two.fittedzero.fittedzero.fittedtwo.fitted and the senses washing facilities for af_t er the walk.
to boost tourism. It worked. Around five.fitted,zero.fittedzero.fittedzero.fitted Tour guides can of_t en be hired to conduct walks along the trails
visitors used the trail in its f_i rst year, and this grew to nine.fittedzero.fitted,zero.fittedzero.fittedzero.fitted in two.fittedzero.fittedzero.fittedeight.fitted. and many barefoot paths feature information boards instructing
In addition to a Kneipp water basin, many of the barefoot trails visitors how to use them. “We’ve found that readily available
in Germany have developed over the years to include sound, scent support and instruction are one of the primary reasons people
and touch for a fuller sensory experience. Others incorporate continue to use the paths” says Marazita.
balancing and climbing exercises or wading through streams. And “In King County, we would of_t en reach out to dif_f erent groups
some like the one in Lienen, play host to special events such as on behalf of the parks department to instruct the local population
guided torch walks on nights of a full moon. on how best to use a path, and in spas where we have built paths,
One of Germany’s longest barefoot trails is found in Bad Orb in we train staf_f and provide DVDs and literature to support the
Hessia. T_h e result of a volunteer project, the four.fitted.five.fittedkm long path lies training,” Marazita concludes.
next to the Kurshauss Hotel Bad Orb, which is owned and operated Barefoot walking appears to be enjoying a revival. T_h e do-
by Toscanaworld. Run by a husband and wife team, Klaus Dieter it-yourself ref_l exology allows users to enjoy a series of sensory
Bohm and Marion Schneider (the chair of the British International experiences in a natural setting. It may be some time until
Spa Association), the site is currently being transformed into the barefoot paths become as prevalent in the rest of the world as they
Toskana T_h erme Bad Orb spa and hotel – scheduled for completion are in Asia, but with growing evidence to support their health
by mid-two.fittedzero.fittedone.fittedzero.fitted – to complement the existing barefoot trail. benef_i ts, they are worthy of consideration in a spa of_f ering. ●
Barfuss Park, Trentham Estate
FIRST-PERSON EXPERIENCE: VICKY KIERNANDER
’ve always The grass was soft and cool, cold water pools fed by the brook – my
I
considered myself the lumpy mulch strangely feeble feet appear to have zero tolerance
an outdoors type, agreeable and the bridge of to cold. Thankfully, these were interspersed
but the prospect of walking wooden logs was wonderful for with such surfaces as hay (lovely and soft),
the Barfuss Park at the Italian massaging the arches of my smooth round stones (fi rm and massaging)
Gardens of the Trentham Estate feet. So far, so good. and sand (satisfyingly scrunchy).
in Staffordshire in the pouring The trouble started with the Back in my trainers after a quick wash
rain was not one I was relishing. mud bath. Ordinarily, I would in the cold foot showers, my feet felt
My guide Clive was sympathetic, but savour the sensation of squelching mud unexpectedly light. A few hours later
stoutly refused to join me in removing socks between my toes, but the freezing water they throbbed and I felt exhausted. This
and shoes – “I’ve done it loads of times” – that fi lled the bath took my breath away. I overwhelming tiredness lasted all of the
and a walker sheltering from the rain nearby bit my lip and tried to concentrate on Clive’s following day, but my feet felt great – strong
looked on in amusement as I rolled up my conversation as I waded through, but the and polished and well – used! It’s a novel
jeans and prepared to log my experience in experience was hideous. Other textures sensation, but one that I enjoyed very much
my soggy notebook. that fell into this category included the and, as a result, I’d recommend Trentham
The walk started gently with a series coarse concrete and shingle, which dug Park – although I might wait for better
of surfaces that were pleasing to my feet. painfully into the soles of my feet, and the weather before trying it again.
5654 Read Spa Business online spabusiness.comm // digital SpSPa BuA BUSINESS 4 2009SineSS 4 2009
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