Back to the Basics

There’s something incredible seductive about a perfectly cloudless, blue sky set behind a crystal clear, sun bathed mountain range. It’s hard to believe there are people in the world that, unlike us, are not called to wander and explore a beautiful landscape on a beautiful day. Our species did not originate in an air-conditioned, closed space. Our legs did not evolve to push the gas pedal of a car, or stand in an elevator. Our hands did not form for the purpose of moving the stick on a video game controller, or hit the answer button on a phone. Our legs were made to run and walk. Our hands were made to climb and make tools. Our bodies are endurance super-machines, and yet most people shudder at the thought of running more than a mile or two.

Our technology, for all the improvements that it has made to our lives, has hindered that which set us apart from other animals during our humble beginnings. Even something as simple as the shoes we wear, has severely weakened a genius product of evolution: the human foot. People use insoles, and overly supportive shoes that weaken the foot and don’t allow it to get stronger and healthier. Flat footed? Insoles to support your arch, and shoes to make sure your knees don’t collapse inward. High arch? Insoles so your arch doesn’t collapse, and shoes to make sure your knees don’t buckle outward. Knees hurt? Cushioning. Shins hurt? More cushioning. Why not just go in a wheel chair, so that nothing hurts? Our feet are incredible tools that, with some strength, can overcome flat arches or high arches. The answer is not more technology. The answer is primal, basic, muscle strength.

Why is it, that when you see a child run, they move with natural grace and ease, while most adults fall heavily, sometimes sluggishly. How is it that we forget how to run? And where do we lose the joy of running? Children get such pleasure out of running around with their friends. And at some point, they lose that and running becomes a struggle. We need to find that joy, again. We need to figure out how to revive that instinct. Because, if we don’t, we might end up permanently fused to car seats, office chairs, and wheel chairs.