Why We Take Our Shoes Off

There are many different styles of yoga, and many different types of yoga centers.
A Gentle Way (AGW) Yoga & Joyful Movement Center is a “health and healing place.”
An important ritual for us is walking into our Center, slowing down, and not only taking off our shoes, but also washing our feet. This foot-washing ceremony helps us leave the energy of the world behind, and creates a sacred, clean, healing space.

We come to AGW to let go, relax, renew, restore, release, and rebuild. We are here to strengthen and to soften. We come to our yoga home to balance tightness and flexibility, body and mind, breath and spirit.

In many cultures, washing someone’s feet is a sign of respect and reverence toward that person. So when students take the time to wash their OWN feet, it allows them to give to THEMSELVES the type of honor and respect they would like from others.

I added the instruction of washing our feet before stepping into our yoga room for several reasons. I saw students rushing into the studio, many times late, so frantic they would often even forget to take off their shoes or turn off their cell phones, bringing a trail of chaos and uncleanliness into our sacred healing space.

Now, however, knowing that they need to slow down and wash their feet before setting up for class, most of our long-time students arrive early, not rushing – even taking time to get to know each other before class, creating a wonderful yoga community of friends who look forward to seeing each other each week.

This slowing down and cleansing practice took some students a while to get used to, but almost everyone loves it now. It keeps our center and its props much cleaner, and it is much more enjoyable in our Gentle yoga classes to massage CLEAN feet!
If slowing down is an ADVANCED practice for you, then please keep practicing!

I promise it will get easier and easier, and you will soon begin to understand and embrace the many physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits that slowing down in your life and yoga practice can provide. It can all begin with slowing down to clean your feet!

Many blessings,
Lanita Varshell
(written August 2018)

Please slow down and wash your feet!
Yoga Niyama: Saucha
Purity: Cleaning your inner and outer houses to make yourself clear and powerful.
Stop rushing, and feel the difference that respecting yourself and others will