We all know that walking is good for us – it is free, you can do it anywhere and it burns calories and strengthens our muscles whilst building denser bones and carries a low risk of energy.
But now there is a way to make walking better for not just your body but your mind and soul also. Straight out of the United States is walking meditation or “Mindful Walking”. The practise originated from Buddhist Monks, but is now taking off in fitness centres around the world.
The exercise combines meditation techniques – breathing, concentration and relaxation with rhythmic walking. The net results are a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate and improvements in sleep patterns, stress levels, mood and general well being.
Try these 5 steps:
Find a place you can walk comfortable and safely.
Focus on your breathing and walk slowly, take 4 steps as you inhale and 4 steps as you exhale.
Quite your mind with a mantra, with 4 words in each section like – “All is well now, I am at peace”.
Let your senses take in your surroundings, feel, hear, smell the sounds and sights around you.
Have patience, inevitably your mind will wander – but with practise you will be able to concentrate on your breathing and benefit from the mediation and exercise.
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