Have you ever felt the urge to walk and clear your head? There is nothing more peaceful than a stroll in the nature with beautiful scenic views and fragrance of fresh flowers. The act of walking is naturally meditative. It gives you the opportunity to slow down and soak up the smallest detail of a process we normally take for granted.
Yoga walking meditation is walking meditation which is practiced in the yoga tradition. Though it is less popular in the yogic tradition compared to Buddhism, but a large number of yoga gurus advocate the yogic walking practices. It is an art that teaches you to be cautious and aware as you walk while being aware of the natural movement of your feet and legs. The great Buddha himself first taught walking meditation. As the practice is common in both Western and Eastern traditions, numerous ways are available on how to do it.
Why should you do walking meditation?
You can do walking anytime and anywhere. It is a lot better and easier if you go out for walk for 20 minutes rather than futile everyone to stay quiet or tone the noise down so you could relax and find some inner peace.
You can do walking anytime and anywhere. It is a lot better and easier if you go out for walk for 20 minutes rather than futile everyone to stay quiet or tone the noise down so you could relax and find some inner peace.
Also, it is grreat for those who have trouble concentrating and focusing on one thing. This happens because the process of walking has a pattern to it. Right foot forward then left foot forward. While doing that, it becomes difficult for the mind to wander anywhere else. Instead of other distracting thoughts, the mind concentrates on the physical movement of the body. Once you have quietened your mind from distracting thoughts while you are doing a walking meditation, you can expect seated meditation to come more naturally to you.
Here are a few benefits of walking meditation:
• Walking meditation boosts your concentration and refines it. And it assists you effectively in staying in a meditative state.
• You feel more open to new ideas and perspectives. You experience the universe in an entirely new way.
• Walking meditation lets you connect more to your surroundings. You would begin to notice the tiniest details.
• You become more mindful of your daily activities with the help of walking meditation.
• It helps your health and well-being.
• It emphasizes and focuses on the object of concentration rather than other types which focus on breath or mantra. Initially, it is the process of placing one foot in front of the other which is an active concentration object. A large number of people find themselves more focused and present in walking meditation compared to seated meditation.
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• Walking meditation boosts your concentration and refines it. And it assists you effectively in staying in a meditative state.
• You feel more open to new ideas and perspectives. You experience the universe in an entirely new way.
• Walking meditation lets you connect more to your surroundings. You would begin to notice the tiniest details.
• You become more mindful of your daily activities with the help of walking meditation.
• It helps your health and well-being.
• It emphasizes and focuses on the object of concentration rather than other types which focus on breath or mantra. Initially, it is the process of placing one foot in front of the other which is an active concentration object. A large number of people find themselves more focused and present in walking meditation compared to seated meditation.
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The Guidelines of Walking Meditation
Here are a few guidelines of walking meditation if you want to give it a try:
1. First of all, consider the first steps to be an indoors practice before going outdoors so that your focus is not broken due to surroundings or any other distractions. In yoga walking meditation, it is the slowness of your pace which leads to the state of awareness. This state boosts your concentration level and lets you have an hands-on experience with subtle sensations. This is actually fifth of the eight limbs of Patanjali yogic practice which removes focus from the outer world towards the inner.
2. Prepare your body for walking meditation. You can get started with a few preparation exercises. Warm up the joints to get them lubricated.
Find your balance point by rocking from one side to another and also front and back. Lift your waist to ensure a good posture. Make sure that you shoulders are aligned, smile. Smile with your collarbone. Gaze softly at the floor which is at a distance from you. You could clasp your hands in front of you or in the back. You could try walking barefoot especially in nature or in socks while indoors as well. This way, you could easily experience the subtle movements of your feet.
Here are a few guidelines of walking meditation if you want to give it a try:
1. First of all, consider the first steps to be an indoors practice before going outdoors so that your focus is not broken due to surroundings or any other distractions. In yoga walking meditation, it is the slowness of your pace which leads to the state of awareness. This state boosts your concentration level and lets you have an hands-on experience with subtle sensations. This is actually fifth of the eight limbs of Patanjali yogic practice which removes focus from the outer world towards the inner.
2. Prepare your body for walking meditation. You can get started with a few preparation exercises. Warm up the joints to get them lubricated.
Find your balance point by rocking from one side to another and also front and back. Lift your waist to ensure a good posture. Make sure that you shoulders are aligned, smile. Smile with your collarbone. Gaze softly at the floor which is at a distance from you. You could clasp your hands in front of you or in the back. You could try walking barefoot especially in nature or in socks while indoors as well. This way, you could easily experience the subtle movements of your feet.
3. You have to divide your practice time. Make portions of three segments which are over the period of 8 to 10 minutes. Also, decrease pace for each of the segments. You could even name it anything because when you label your action, at first it would be mere steps at first. In the second seg,ent, you might think of the action as lifting and then placing. Then, when you are at your slowest pace, it could be rolling, lifting and then placing on the ground.
When you practice the next time, you could stick to the pace which you find the most effective.
4. Take the initial step. Then another. You have to do this very consiously as you are aware of all of your steps. Stay focused on your feet as they move. Relsish the sensations of the whole body when you walk. Notice the sublte actions and experiences.
When you practice the next time, you could stick to the pace which you find the most effective.
4. Take the initial step. Then another. You have to do this very consiously as you are aware of all of your steps. Stay focused on your feet as they move. Relsish the sensations of the whole body when you walk. Notice the sublte actions and experiences.
Indulge in walking meditation daily
In the words of Tich Nhat Hanh: “When we practice walking meditation, we arrive in each moment. Our true home is in the present moment. When we enter the present moment deeply, our regrets and sorrows disappear, and we discover life with all its wonders.
In the words of Tich Nhat Hanh: “When we practice walking meditation, we arrive in each moment. Our true home is in the present moment. When we enter the present moment deeply, our regrets and sorrows disappear, and we discover life with all its wonders.
It leads to you enjoy a sense of calm within yourself. Intrigued? Then the Italy yoga treats in Lake Garda is your perfect escape with its amazing yoga retreats. It offers yoga retreats all year long. Located at the south side of Lake Garda, we offer a variety of yoga retreats you could indulge into and find inner peace. Check out our variety of yoga retreats if you are living close by Lake Garda.
