New Balance introduces Aneka, a shoe inspired by the yogi mindset

With the advancement of technology and materials, and all of the different approaches to health and fitness available, athletic shoes have moved way beyond your average all-purpose sneaker. We've got shoes built for speed that you can barely feel on your foot, shoes that look like feet, shoes with curved soles for more support, shoes to help tone our legs as we walk-- the choices seem endless.

New Balance has now come out with a shoe designed for wellness, inspired by (what else?) yoga. Designed by Matt Pauk, Senior Designer in the Innovation-Wellness department at the respected running shoe company, behold the "Aneka" lifestyle shoe.

The concept comes from the research done by the designer in what he calls the "body improvement market:"

"Aneka is something truly fresh for the wellness space. Drafting success of yoga, with participation up double digits, Aneka strives to provide a shoe with a similar mind set. This is a pure and honest concept that is physically provocative through each step you take. It targets the active, style-driven woman looking for a truly unique footwear solution."

I haven't tried them on, but the odds are in their favor if they're anything like any other New Balance shoes I've owned over the years. Ladies, would you wear these day-to-day? See below for some great pictures provided by Pauk taking us through the process.

[Core 77]

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com