Everyone knows the value of walking. It helps your heart, your circulation and your tummy (a great calorie burner)

But here is something else for you to consider: why not use your walking exercise as a time for meditation?. Most people take up walking because it’s a great form of exercise, it is easy on the joints and it isn’t complicated to learn.

You don’t need any special equipment. Just start walking and you are instantly on your way to better health. When you add meditation to your walking, you will find the experience invaluable.

What is walking meditation? Walking meditation is when you consciously focus on your every step. No need to increase your speed, in fact, you will more than likely begin by walking at a slower pace so you can get the hang of the practice of meditating while walking.

As you concentrate on your walking, make mental notes of the flow of your footsteps. Mindful walking is a practice that originated in Buddhism, in particular the art of Ayatana. In Christianity, walking the labyrinth is considered a form of walking meditation.

Using walking as meditation helps you stay focused on the here and now. As you become more skilled at this practice, you will find yourself better able to let go of your worries and stress.

Common forms of meditation have you sitting with eyes closed, concentrating within. With walking meditation, your eyes are wide open, absorbing the outside world. This gives you the opportunity to break away from the mind and all its clutter; a priceless tool, especially for us westerners

Here are some basic tips for walking meditation:

* It is best to conduct your walking meditation in an area that you are comfortable with.

* Shoot for a 20 minute time period. If that is too long for you, start with a 5 minute period and gradually increase your time to 20 minutes.

* Start your walking in a relaxed but not a slouched posture.

* Focus on the sensations in your feet as they lift off the ground and touch the ground.

* Let your arms hang down in a relaxed manner.

* As you walk, keep your focus about 3 to 6 feet in front of you.

In conclusion, walking meditation is a practice that is easy to add into your daily exercise. Along with taking care of your body’s well-being, you will also be enhancing the well-being of your mind and spirit.

Happy walking.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting and you feedback is always appreciated.