A Walking Meditation

​        Each day to clear my head when I am writing, I take several walks; Walking starts out the day, breaks a writer’s block, stretches my legs, all done with walking. I take my walks seriously, focusing my awareness on every step and the air around me. These walks have become a meditative experience. One day, on ones of these walks, while I tried to clear a little writer’s block I thought, 'The way I walk is combining mindfulness with walking to make it a meditative activity.’  I thought I had developed a new concept, but alas, when I ‘Googled’ meditative walking, the concept has been around for thousands of years.  I must admit I felt a little disappointed that my concept isn’t new or even mine, but I still find the idea of a walking meditation absolutely brilliant.
        A walking meditation is similar in ways to what the upper class men and women of previous centuries called, a ‘daily constitutional,’ which is basically a walk to clear your head and aid in digestion after dinner. In New York, during the early 1900's, the constitutional was a way of life and it has made its way into my daily life as well.  Taking a Walking Meditation clears my head and lets my thoughts and ideas flow freely.  You can use walking in your life as well.
 
The Benefits of a Walking Meditation
        A walking meditation combines the benefits of both walking and meditation (which happen to be almost the same).

• Reduces stress.
• Improves concentration.
• Encourages a healthier lifestyle.
• Increases self-awareness.
• Increases happiness.Increases acceptance.
• Slows aging.
• Benefits cardiovascular and immune system health.
• Strengthens your bones and muscles.
• Maintains a healthy weight.
• Builds stamina and strength.

The Process of a Walking Meditation
        The process of a walking meditation is quiet simple, first start with an appropriate place where you will best be able to focus uninterrupted, a lower traffic, safe area. Then start walking, look ahead, tuck your pelvic area tucked under slightly, to engage your core, and walk at a moderate to brisk speed. Concentrate on your breath, slowly inhale and exhale out through your nose, holding your core, and looking ahead.
 
Expand your Focus
        Participating in Mindfulness while you practice your Walking Meditation will help the benefits grow. The ability to focus developed in walking meditation will easily carry into the rest of your daily life.
·         Be aware of your location in space.
·         Allow your awareness to move through each part of the body.
·         Notice your state of mind.
·         Keep your awareness engaged in this experience.
·         Re-balance and relax any part of your mind or body that is not improving your experience.
 
        As with any new physical activity, check with your doctor to be sure you are able to safely participate. You may find as with both walking and meditation you have to start slowly, but as with any activity, the more you practice the better you will get and the more benefits of you will feel.