Today is not just any Friday – it’s a celebration of the 46^th annual Earth Day!

Earth Day was inspired by the initiative to make our world healthier, and to make humans more aware of what we’re putting into it. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 1, 1970. The Earth Day movement serves to better our world as a whole. Coincidentally, Kalso Earth Shoes (which also serves to better our world as a whole, in my humble opinion) was launched on the same day exactly 46 years ago.

What you probably didn’t know about Earth shoes is that they are designed with a lot more in mind than simply style. Anne Kalso, the creator of the Earth brand, became immersed in the practice of yoga. Anne firmly believed the all-around wellness yoga inspires is not just for the body, but for your entire being, mental and physical.

While studying yoga in Santos, Brazil in 1957, Anne noticed the incredibly aligned, straight posture of the Brazilian inhabitants. As she watched the natives walk through the sand she noted something about their footprints: the Brazilians heels made deeper imprints in the sand than their toes. These footprints reminded Anne of a familiar yoga pose. Tadasana, or mountain pose, is achieved by standing with your back straight, arms at sides or above your head, and feet rooted firmly to the ground from heel to toe.

Tadasana is the root of most standing yoga poses. Mountain pose encourages proper, supported posture, open airways and a feeling of grounded-ness, or connection, to the earth.

Anne began walking as the Brazilians did, and she observed a positive change in her posture and breathing. Anne began to wonder what would happen if she made shoes that encouraged the proper posture and support found in Tadasana.

Thus, Earth Shoes was born.

It took years for Anne to create her first shoe that, “takes into consideration all the natural demands of the foot and body”. (earthbrands.com). Who would’ve guessed an activity primarily practiced barefoot would inspire a line of footwear?

Yoga reminds us to be present. Not thinking ahead or behind, but to be appreciative of each moment. Likewise, Earth Day serves as a reminder to do our part to protect the world (and each moment) we live in. This Earth Day, let’s try to be more mindful of the world and everything we put into it – including our attitudes, fuel emissions and cute, comfy footwear.

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