Barefoot Culture: Why Yoga Is Practiced Without Shoes
How This Tradition Connects India and Japan
At Nami Yoga Studio in Kyoto and Tokyo, one of the first things you’ll notice is that we practice yoga barefoot. But have you ever wondered why yoga is traditionally done without shoes? Is it for comfort? Cleanliness? Or is there something deeper?
In this post, we explore the roots of barefoot yoga, its physical and spiritual benefits, and how this simple act connects deeply to both Indian and Japanese cultures.
🧘♀️ Yoga and Bare Feet: The Indian Tradition
Yoga originated in India over 2,000 years ago—not in gyms or studios, but in temples, forests, and ashrams. In Indian tradition, shoes are removed before entering any sacred or pure space: homes, temples, shrines, and yoga halls.
Why barefoot in yoga?
Respect for Sacred Space: Just as one removes shoes before entering a temple, removing shoes before stepping onto the mat honors the spiritual aspect of yoga.
Energy Flow: Yogic philosophy believes that energy (or prana) moves through the feet. Shoes block this flow and disconnect us from the Earth.
Connection to Nature: Ancient yogis practiced on the ground or natural floors—barefoot contact was seen as grounding and essential.
Even today in India, barefoot living is common—not just in yoga, but in everyday life. Walking barefoot around the home, offering prayers barefoot, and even greeting elders by touching their feet is a deep form of respect.
🏠 The Japanese Custom of Removing Shoes Indoors
This barefoot practice is beautifully mirrored in Japanese culture. In Japan, it's customary to remove shoes before entering homes, traditional inns (ryokan), temples, and even some restaurants or schools. It’s not just about cleanliness—it’s about mindfulness and respect.
The genkan (entrance area) in Japanese homes marks the transition from the outside world to the inner, more sacred personal space. Removing shoes signals a mental and physical shift—just as it does in yoga.
🌏 A Shared Philosophy: East Meets East
Though India and Japan are culturally distinct, their barefoot customs reveal a strikingly similar worldview:
Cleanliness as a form of respect
Awareness of transitions between outer and inner worlds
The belief that the body is a vessel for energy, deserving care and connection
In both cultures, going barefoot isn’t just practical—it’s ritualistic, symbolic, and deeply human.
🙌 Tips for Practicing Yoga Barefoot
If you're new to yoga or not used to being barefoot, here are some easy tips:
Keep your feet clean before stepping onto the mat. A quick wipe with a towel or wet cloth is great—especially in summer.
Embrace the wobble. Your feet have muscles that may be underused. Barefoot yoga helps strengthen them!
Wear socks or indoor slippers before and after class if you're shy about showing your feet or if it's cold.
At Nami Yoga Studio, we clean our floors regularly and always welcome you to bring your own mat or yoga towel.
🌿 Stepping Into Mindfulness
Taking off your shoes might feel like a small action—but in both Indian and Japanese traditions, it marks the beginning of something more intentional. Whether you’re entering a temple, a tea room, or a yoga studio, bare feet ground you to the present moment.
Next time you slide off your shoes before class, remember:
You're stepping into a long-standing tradition shared by two ancient cultures—India and Japan—that both honor simplicity, presence, and sacred space.
🧘♀️ Join us at Nami Yoga Studio (Kyoto & Tokyo) and experience the beauty of barefoot practice.