WHAT THE FOOT!

I've just ordered the digital version of this book by Gary Ward on the recommendation of a friend of mine, thought I'd share the info with you as I suspect it's going to be thought provoking... it seems packed with interesting info. Below is a description along with links to interviews and a free digital download ..... so you can decide if you want to explore his work further .....

WHY AM I SO INTERESTED?

I'm observing that as I move along my personal timeline, 'feet' are becoming even more important in keeping my balance and 'connection' with the earth beneath them!

See what you think!

What the Foot? is not just a book about feet — it’s a whole-body movement philosophy rooted in observation of how the human body moves through a single footstep (the gait cycle).

The main ideas the book advises include:

1. The Foot as the Foundation

The book reframes how you think about feet: they’re not just structural “shock absorbers” but a central part of how the entire body moves and balances.

Foot mechanics influence posture, knee, hip, pelvis, and even spinal alignment.

Pain, discomfort, and movement limitations often trace back to how the feet function in walking.

2. Movement Over Static “Neutral”

Ward argues motion is constant — the body isn’t meant to be “locked in neutral” all the time, and trying to force stability at neutral can create tension and compression problems.

You need both pronation and supination (the rolling in and out of the foot) at the right time in the gait cycle — neither is inherently “bad.”

3. Rethinking Muscles & Joints

Muscles, he says, lengthen before they contract — a different view from the traditional “shorter = stronger” idea.

Joints act first; muscles react — so restoring correct joint motion helps muscles work better.

The body is presented as a holistic system where one part influences all others.

4. “Finding Centre” + Flow Motion Model

The philosophy encourages people to find their centre — a balanced baseline from which efficient movement emerges — and take ownership of their body’s movement patterns.

The groundwork of the book leads into Ward’s broader Flow Motion Model, mapping every bone and joint through gait to reframe movement and reduce pain.

Overall, the book challenges traditional anatomy and therapy models, encouraging readers and practitioners to look beyond isolated muscles and instead see movement as integrated and dynamic rather than fixed and static.

Gary Ward – Online Presence

Official Website

The main hub for Ward’s work is Anatomy in Motion / Finding Centre, which explains his approach, books, courses, and movement philosophy:https://findingcentre.co.uk/ — (Gary Ward’s official Anatomy in Motion site)

YouTube

https://youtu.be/KYeitCQYfYg  a one hour audio interview. Lots of short videos exploring individual techniques.

Gary Ward does have content on YouTube, primarily under Anatomy in Motion / Gary Ward:  https://youtu.be/oqVMmry7NSs?list=PLQ8wGX2W8Awu8eU_bueIaHJmt8c8oJXix

https://findingcentre.co.uk/  for a 14 page free digital download.