Mindful Walking – The Benefits
Many people walk for exercise or walking to go to and from. What are your thoughts as you walk? Are you thinking of your ‘To Do,’ list? Are thinking of what might transpire tomorrow, etc? Each thought you take with each step can lead you to becoming more mindful of yourself and your feelings. The majority of people think the benefits of walking is for two things only – exercising for fitness or a means to an end – getting where you want to go.
Each day many people limit the steps they take by driving and parking as close to their destination as possible. Walking the few extra steps in a parking lot has unlimited benefits – not only for your health, but your spirit as well, as you walk you can connect with the earth.
Although, you are walking on concrete or asphalt, the earth is still beneath your feet, supporting you. Walking allows your body to connect to simpler times, when life was less complicated. Making this connection helps you to slow down to the speed of your body, thus, taking the time to integrate the natural flow of life into your cellular tissue. Instead of running from place to place or thinking about how much more you can fit into your day, walking allows you the opportunity to exist in the moment.
With each step you take allow yourself to become more mindful of yourself and your feelings. Walking slows you down to not only pay attention to where you are in your body, but also connecting with your breath. Taking time to notice your breath while you walk, through the length of your inhale and exhale and becoming attuned to the way in which you breathe is taking a step towards mindfulness.
When you become mindful, you will gradually increase your awareness of the environment around you and start to recognize that the flow of your thoughts and feelings are sometimes unrelated to where you are in the present moment. You might ruminate about something in the past or worry ahead about things that might transpire.
As you continue practicing mindfulness, you will realize that the connection you have with the earth and the ground beneath your feet is all that is. As you walk and practice breathing mindfulness, you gain a sense of calm and tranquility – the problems and troubles of the day slowly fade away because you are in the ‘now.’
The simplicity and ease of a walking practice allows you to create time, space and awareness of your surroundings and of the wonders that lie within. Taking a few moments to walk each day and become more aware of your breath will open the door for the beauty of the world to come in.
Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Metaphysician – Certified Hypnosis Practitioner, Author and Speaker. Dr. Dorothy facilitates clearing blocks, fears and limiting beliefs. You can live the life you desire. She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one’s thoughts and feelings. http://www.gen-assist.com