I love Mr. T and his “I pity the fool” from my childhood, but I have been seeing his commercials alllll the time lately for the new Skechers Slip in Shoes.

These seem very popular, and I understand why. I’m not totally against them. Not totally.

But they do worry me. It’s the slip-on shoe conundrum, and here’s why.

Why We Love Slip-Ons

Let’s face it, tying shoes can be a hassle. I understand the desire to slip right into shoes and not having to worry about the back of the shoe getting folded over in the back or always having to untie and tie shoes to run the trash outside. That can be tiresome.

And there are times that I intentionally slip on my husband’s shoes to run things outside because it is faster than taking the time to put on my own shoes that fit. We’ve all been there.

They’re undeniably convenient. That’s where slip-on shoes come in, and their popularity and draw is undeniable.

While there’s nothing wrong with an occasional slip-on for convenience, let’s delve deeper into the potential impact on our mobility.

The Mobility Question

Why else might we be switching to slip in shoes?

What if our growing preference for slip-on shoes stems from a deeper issue? Are we reaching for them because bending down to tie our shoes is becoming difficult due to tightness or pain?

Is it because it is getting harder to put our shoes on, harder to reach down, harder to stay down to tie them?

Is it because we don’t want to bend over or bend down because our back hurts or our hamstrings are tight?

Then I am NOT on board with these shoes. And if we aren’t there yet, but we move to slip in shoes AND we maybe don’t make it to yoga as often as we should to keep our agility and mobility…..Then what?

Might we find ourselves in that stiff and sore situation even if we didn’t start there???? Don’t lose it because you are not using it! I want you to be able to put on whatever shoes you like. Wear those slip ins to yoga if you like. Just don’t use slip ins as a way to ignore a larger problem.

Don’t Let Discomfort Dictate Your Shoe Choice

If back pain, hamstring tightness, or reduced flexibility are making it hard to tie your shoes, slip-on shoes become a band-aid solution, not a long-term fix.

It’s about being able to get down on the floor to play with your kids/grandkids.

It’s about being able to say “yes” to a fun activity instead of worrying you won’t be able to do it/get back up/feel ok tomorrow.

It’s about knowing you are agile and mobile and taking care of yourself to stay that way.

Yoga to the Rescue!

Yoga is here for you.I am here for you. It’s not about shoes. It’s about feeling your best.

Instead of relying solely on slip-on shoes, consider yoga as a way to improve your mobility and flexibility. Here’s why:

• Yoga Improves Range of Motion: Yoga postures gently stretch and strengthen muscles, making it easier to bend down and tie your shoes.
• Yoga Alleviates Stiffness: Yoga isn’t magic, but it does work as you continue to stretch and breathe and practice. You find more ease in your movement, less pain in your day, and more length in your stretch. It can definitely help to reduce stiffness and pain that might make putting on shoes difficult.
• Yoga is for Everyone: Yoga comes in many forms, from gentle restorative practices to more vigorous flows. There’s a yoga style for everyone, regardless of age or ability. It is a practice that we adjust and adapt for you, not the other way around.

Taking Action

The good news? It’s never too late to maintain and improve your mobility. Here are a few ways to get started with me:

• Hello, Yoga Beginner’s Academy: This program is a safe and effective way to learn yoga fundamentals from the ground up. We all start at 0, and this is your first step to understand yoga and practice it where you are today and where you will be for life.
• Yoga with TG Club: This membership offers a vast library of on-demand yoga classes that fit your schedule and needs. All styles of yoga, strength-based yoga to relaxing and restorative yoga, and all lengths, from 10 minutes to a full hour.

Remember, it’s not about the shoes; it’s about feeling your best. Yoga can empower you to move with ease, play with your kids or grandkids without limitations, and feel confident in your overall well-being.

Ready to get started? Let’s chat and find the perfect yoga solution for you!