I included meditation in my daily schedule few years ago. Initially, I thought meditation is a tough choice. But slowly, I learnt that how relaxing and healing it was. Meditation literally opened a new phase of my life for me. It opened a different path for me; not just spiritually, but also a healthy path. My physical and mental health all came under control. So I started walking meditation, which is a another mindful meditation.
What is walking meditation?
Walking meditation is one of those mindful meditation, where you incorporate physical and mental activity together. While you are walking you are basically syncing your steps and physical activity with focus. It allows you to create body and mind connection pretty deeply. While doing this regularly, you can determine the duration of your walking meditation and your pace. It gives you mobility and mental movement too.
How to do walking meditation?
- Find a location where you don’t have too many obstacles. If you can walk in the park or residential society garden, then its very useful. Avoid places with staircase, your focus might get diverted.
- Just start walking. Taking the first step is always the biggest challenge, we always face. But, once you take it, you won’t regret. Slowly you can increase the duration and the distance of your walks.
- Notice the activities happening in your body. While walking notice, your body’s movement and breathing. If you are aged and having trouble breathing, then pause for a while, take few deep breaths and continue.
- Realise your surroundings. No need to judge. If you are walking in a park/garden, then notice the chirpy birds, people (if there is any), trees, plants, wind, etc. This will bring a sense of belongingness to the nature.
- Make it an everyday habit. I personally prefer doing it in the morning. Starting the day with a positive mindset is very effective and productive to me. You can also do it in the evening, if your morning schedule is tight. You can also opt practising walking meditation post your dinner. That will give you even better results. You will digest your food as after dinner we barely do any physical activity and will enhance your sleep quality.
Benefits of walking meditation
—> It helped me to reduce weight. Its a slow process, but you can trust the process religiously. But having said that, don’t check your weight everyday after the walking meditation session.
—> It enhances your bowel movement. Remember, any type of physical activity gives you good bowel movement, so your poop quality enhances too.
—> You can easily enhance your sleep quality if you find difficulty in falling asleep. When you walk for a considerable distance, your body gets tired, hence you fall asleep quickly.
—> You will notice your digestive system getting better with walking.
—> I reversed my type 2 diabetes and walking is one of those things which I continued doing everyday, without questioning the process. If you have hypertension, high blood pressure issues, then you must take it up seriously.
—> It also allows you to get some fresh air to your lungs. Nowadays, many people work from home, engaged in so many work calls or may be busy with running errands all the time. But walking for 15-20 mins everyday is a great respite from your schedule.
—> You can easily reduce the level of stress and anxiety. Breathing in fresh air relaxes your mind. Walking gives you dopamine hit, so you will instantly feel the excitement within you.
Meditation is one of those activities, humans have been doing for centuries to increase awareness and connect with the god. You can open up yourself to a new world and can make yourself a better person in multiple ways. When I started walking meditation, I had no idea how it is going to benefit me. But I knew that, at least, I will lose some weight, it will give me the much needed dopamine hit and that will make me feel better. That’s how I paved my way towards spirituality and increased focus. Not to mention, that walking meditation made me a calmer version of myself.