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	<title>Ascended Vitality :: "The Quintessential Optimal Health Resource" &#187; Design</title>
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	<description>The Quintessential Optimal Health Resource</description>
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		<title>Sustainable Shoes with Style</title>
		<link>http://www.ascendedvitality.com/2010/01/sustainable-shoes-with-style/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ascendedvitality.com/2010/01/sustainable-shoes-with-style/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:21:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>AV</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sustainability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ascendedvitality.com/?p=786</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Over four years ago I purchased a pair of VivoBarefoot Dharmas by Terra Plana. A revolutionary pair of shoes that have forever awakened my life and connection to the Earth as I move about step by step. At the time, I was a Senior Designer in the footwear industry traveling for inspiration. I was at [...]]]></description>
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</br></p>
<p>Over four years ago I purchased a pair of VivoBarefoot Dharmas by Terra Plana.<br />
A revolutionary pair of shoes that have forever awakened my life<br />
and connection to the Earth as I move about step by step.</p>
<p>At the time, I was a Senior Designer in the footwear industry<br />
traveling for inspiration.  I was at a stage of evolution in my life where<br />
I was ready for more than a shoe that was just aesthetically appealing.<br />
I was ready for a sustainable shoe that was vogue,<br />
healthy for my body and our earth.<br />
A very rare shoe!</p>
<p>When I first encountered the VivoBarefoot Dharma I wasn&#8217;t yet aware<br />
of the sustainable significance of these shoes and the company Terra Plana<br />
and neither was the store clerk in the gallery style boutique.  I was inspired<br />
by the Dharma and all I needed to do was put them on and walk around.<br />
Wow, I feel more present and connected than I have ever felt<br />
in a pair of shoes!  This is the closest alternative<br />
to being barefoot yet.  </p>
<p>I absolutely believe in the importance of walking barefoot on the Earth<br />
as often as possible, though walking barefoot in the urban world<br />
where there are all kinds of sharp elements often unseen<br />
to the eye isn&#8217;t appealing to me. </p>
<p>The soles of the VivoBarefoot contain a weave of Duratex<br />
ensuring resistance to almost any punctures.  This material<br />
also allows the soles to be quite thin creating an intimate<br />
closeness and sensitivity as you walk.</p>
<p>What about Vibram Five Fingers some of you reading this<br />
may be wondering?  Wonderful shoes as well<br />
serving a different purpose.</p>
<p><font size="5" face="Gill Sans"><br />
Why I love the VivoBarefoot Dharma!<br />
</font></p>
<p>	•	Stengthen the muscles in your feet<br />
	•	Realign your posture<br />
	•	Stimulate sensory perception<br />
	•	Protection of normal shoes<br />
	•	Health benefits of going barefoot<br />
	•	They are simple and easy<br />
	•	A truly quality shoe</p>
<p><font size="5" face="Gill Sans"><br />
Why I love Terra Plana!<br />
</font></p>
<p>	•	A remarkably conscious and sustainable footwear design company.<br />
	•	They offer the most inspiring life cycle and ecological ethics I have seen.<br />
	•	They rate all their shoes according to an Eco Matrix which is based on the 5 Senses<br />
	•	They consulted with a Podiatrist to create an ergonomic footbed.<br />
	•	Offer a dynamic range of vogue footwear designs for Women + Men + Kids.</p>
<p></br><br />
</br></p>
<p>Below is an inspirational video intimately revealing Terra Plana&#8217;s process&#8230;</p>
<p></br><br />
</br></p>
<p><object width="500" height="306"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7gAmMwj0VqM?fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7gAmMwj0VqM?fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="306" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p></br><br />
</br></p>
<p><font size="5" face="Gill Sans"><br />
&#8220;An inflexible shoe effectively splints the foot<br />
and prevents it from its natural range of movements.<br />
As a result the arch of the foot often becomes<br />
weak and collapsed since the muscles are<br />
no longer exercised.&#8221;<br />
</font></p>
<p>- VivoBarefoot by Terra Plana</p>
<p></br><br />
</br></p>
<p>Bountiful Blessings &#038; Gratitude,</p>
<p>Dalkoiya Batchelor<br />
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br />
Health + Nutrition Educator<br />
Inspirational Speaker<br />
Conscious Influencer<br />
Energetic Healer<br />
Intuitive Healer<br />
Prayer Healer<br />
Researcher<br />
Innovator<br />
Artist<br />
:::::::<br />
::::<br />
+</p>
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