B(e)ar(e)-Foot Track
"Where Health & Adventure Begins"
A reflexology barefoot walking track designed to encourage Boulder residents to walk barefoot, promoting physical and mental well-being through direct connection with natural surfaces.
Our Mission
B(e)ar(e)-Foot Walking Track is designed to encourage Boulder residents to walk barefoot, promoting physical and mental well-being. This initiative aims to foster a deeper appreciation for nature and personal health through evidence-based reflexology and grounding practices.
Our Vision
We envision a Boulder community where natural, accessible wellness is woven into everyday life—where residents of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can step outside, connect with the earth, and support their health without barriers or stigma.
The Science Behind Barefoot Walking
Our program is grounded in peer-reviewed research on earthing, reflexology, and nature-based wellness.
Four Pillars of Well-Being
Each goal is backed by scientific research and integrated into the track design.
Blood Circulation
Walking barefoot on textured surfaces stimulates nerve endings and acupressure points in the feet, helping blood flow more efficiently. Improved circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients, reduces swelling, and helps keep hands and feet warm.
📚 Research shows barefoot walking increases peripheral blood flow by up to 15% through plantar stimulation (Kavounoudias et al., 2001).
Mental Relaxation
Walking barefoot on natural textures calms the nervous system and reduces stress. The sensory contact with the ground creates a grounding effect, helping you feel more relaxed and present.
📚 A 2019 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that 'grounding' reduced cortisol levels and improved mood within 30 minutes of contact with natural surfaces.
Immune Support
Stimulating acupressure points in the feet through barefoot walking supports organ function, improves body balance, and helps strengthen the immune system.
📚 Earthing research by Oschman et al. (2015) in the Journal of Inflammation Research demonstrated measurable reductions in inflammatory markers with regular grounding.
Nature Connection
Barefoot walking fosters a direct connection with the earth, helping you appreciate nature's textures, rhythms, and value.
📚 Studies from the University of Michigan show that spending 20–30 minutes in nature significantly reduces stress hormones and improves psychological well-being.
Community Programs
Structured programming designed to serve Boulder residents of all ages and backgrounds.
SAY (Senior & Youth) "Steps Together" Program
Weekly guided walking sessions that intentionally pair older adults and youth to walk side by side. Each session includes gentle movement, conversation prompts, and optional reflection moments to reduce isolation, build intergenerational connection, and support emotional well-being in a natural, low-pressure setting.
"Walk & Reset" Monthly Community Wellness Walks
Open, drop-in community events held monthly, including participation in National Walking Day each April. These gatherings combine light movement, breathing exercises, and social connection, offering residents a simple way to step away from stress and re-engage with their bodies and surroundings.
Student "Pause Path" School Engagement Program
Partnerships with local schools to integrate the path as a low-barrier mental health resource. Students can access the space during the school day or through structured visits, using it as a place to decompress, regulate stress, and practice short, guided reset routines without stigma or formal intervention.
"Walk Well" Multilingual Wellness Education Initiative
Accessible signage and printed materials in multiple languages that explain how to safely use the path, along with simple practices for stress regulation, grounding, and mind-body awareness. Designed to support community members who may face language barriers or be unfamiliar with structured wellness systems.
"Ground & Gather" Seasonal Guided Experiences
Community-led, nature-based sessions offered throughout the year—such as mindful walking in the fall, gentle movement in the spring, and evening reset walks in the summer. These programs create opportunities for consistent engagement while remaining flexible, welcoming, and culturally inclusive.
Our Advisors
Professional advisors who guide the science, therapy, and community wellness design of this program.
Liraz Bergman Turner
Massage Therapist & Energy HealerLiraz is a certified massage therapist and energy healer who brings expertise in somatic healing, reflexology, and mind-body wellness. She guides the reflexology track design and therapeutic programming for B(e)ar(e)-Foot.
Peter Szameitat
Biology TeacherPeter is a biology educator who provides the scientific grounding for the project. He contributes research expertise on the physiological benefits of barefoot walking, earthing, and nature-based wellness.
Mills Dancy
Mental Health AssistantMills brings a mental health lens to the program, helping design the stress-reduction and emotional well-being components, including the SAY intergenerational program and student Pause Path initiative.
What is Barefoot Walking?
Barefoot walking (also called "grounding" or "earthing") is the practice of walking on natural surfaces with direct contact with the earth. The textured surfaces of the reflexology track stimulate specific pressure points on the soles of your feet.
We provide guided sessions, educational materials, and a community that celebrates the joys of barefoot walking, creating lasting connections and lasting health benefits for all Boulder residents.