A Better Idea

At Complexions Day Spa

It was 1998.  I was sitting in a pedicure chair at Complexions Day Spa in between psychotherapy appointments.  At the end of a very relaxing foot massage, with my nail tech just about ready to polish my toe nails, I realized I only had closed toe shoes with me.  I could use the disposable slipper and cotton rope they provided or walk away barefoot to my next appointment, and either way, it wasn’t going to be very comfortable for the rest of my day at work.  With visions of my next client wanting to talk about my fresh, bare feet, I thought, “There has got to be a better way.”  Really.  Long before that line became a buzz line for a TV program.  There, at Complexions, I dreamed of a sandal that would spread the toes for a smudge free polish, and let me go about my day in a good looking piece of footwear.  There, at Complexions, Yoga Sandals® were invented.   I believe the mind needs to relax to allow invention to flourish, and treating my self to a pedicure in a quiet, nourishing space provided just the right environment. That night, I used a single thong sandal, cut some rubber tubing I had, and sewed in separators for the rest of the toes.  My husband and I went to the library, looked through the Thomas Register to find sandal factories around the world and faxed about 30 of them a picture of the new sandal.  One factory in Indonesia responded, and was willing to work with a small order.  I sold an RV that I owned, and began Beech Sandal Co.  More research led to a patent on my invention.  It was very exciting!  I went to my first spa trade show to show off my idea, and met with enthusiastic response, press coverage, orders, and came home to hear my little Indonesian factory had burned down!  The buzz began that we were out of business before we even started.  But the factory owners worked with us to get that first order made in another facility, and we were on our way.   Now, in 2008, with a mention in “O” Magazine as a great pedicure sandal, and a mention in Prevention Magazine, as the “Better Flip-Flop” for the way the sandal promotes balance and stability, Yoga Sandals® is spreading out through the spa, yoga, health and medical communities.  It actually was, and is, a better idea!

Focus On Feet

Topic:  Hammertoes

A hammer toe is a toes that is contracted at the middle joint of the toe (the PIP joint), and can affect all toes except the big toe.  This condition is a result of muscle imbalance which causes ligaments and tendons in the foot to become unnaturally tight.  This tightening of ligaments and tendons cause the toe’s joint to curl downwards.  Hammertoe can be very painful causing foot movement to become restricted, and leading to extra stress on the ball of the foot.  To work on a hammertoe condition, you need to work to stretch and lengthen the ligaments and tendons, and increase the foot’s mobility and stability.  You can ask your podiatrist, movement analyst, yoga or other exercise instructor for specific exercises for your body and feet.  And consider wearing toe separating products that allow your toes to re-align, and work on helping the bones, muscles and ligaments of the feet restore balance as you walk.

September is National

Yoga Month!

http://www.yogamonth.com        

Yoga Month is underway!  The office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion designated September as National Yoga Month, dedicated to spreading national awareness of healthy lifestyles.  To celebrate, a ten city Yoga Festival Tour began in Denver August 25^th, and will continue in Miami, Boston, Chicago, Austin, New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Vancouver.  There will be information, music, demonstrations of healthy lifestyle choices, food and fun!  Join Yoga Sandals® at the LA Event, Sept. 20^th & 21^st, Booth 27, and check out yogamonth.org for more information!

Yoga Month Specials!

In honor of the very first Yoga Month, we are offering our white/black Yoga Sandals® at $24.95, over a 10% savings, and a pair of Yoga Charms to put on your sandals for $2.50, a 50% savings!  So celebrate Yoga Month by giving your feet the gift of balance and body alignment!