What Is Walking Meditation and How Can It Benefit You?

Jun 19, 2018 by apost team

Walking meditation is a type of meditation that's gaining popularity - and for good reason. Mindfulness is one of the best habits you can adopt for your mental health, and walking is similarly good for your physical health. Combining the two habits is a powerful way to improve your overall well-being.

If you'd like to learn more about walking meditation, keep reading. This article will explain the basics of this type of meditation. Then you'll find tips for starting your own walking meditation practice.

An Introduction to Walking Meditation

In a nutshell, walking meditation is exactly what it sounds like. It's a type of meditation that you do while walking.

There are no real rules for how to do walking meditation. You can do it as part of a structured meditation practice, or you can do it whenever you find yourself walking down the street. Walking is inherently meditative, so you may have even done walking meditation before without meaning to.

If you'd like to establish a regular mindfulness habit, walking meditation can be a good way to get started. It's easy to pay attention to your physical and mental state while you're in motion. You'll get some extra exercise, too, which is always a good thing for your health.

Mindful Walking Meditation: What Is It?

There are many different types of walking meditation, but this article's focus is on mindfulness walking meditation.

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Mindfulness walking meditation involves paying attention to everything around you as you walk: the sensations in your body, the world around you, and your thoughts.

Why Mindfulness Walking Meditation Will Improve Your Life

1. It helps you concentrate better.
2. Mindfulness actually forges new connections in your brain. This can help you focus better.
3. You can combine it with sitting meditation.
4. If you already practice sitting meditation, try mixing it up with walking meditation so your muscles don't get stiff.
5. It helps you work more exercise into your day.
6. You can get two things done at once by exercising while you meditate.
7. It makes you happier.
8. Walking and mindfulness are both great for your mood.
9. It helps you control your restless mind.
10. If you feel stressed or anxious, walking and practicing mindfulness will help you calm down.

Where you walk:

Try to walk somewhere quiet where you won't be distracted.

How far you walk:

Walk at least a mile. You can walk much farther if you'd like.

How fast you walk:

Walking meditation isn't a race. Go at an easy pace so you can focus on what you're feeling.

How you feel about walking:

If you have a positive attitude about your walking meditation practice, you'll get more out of it.

The weather:

Make sure it's not going to rain before you head out for your walk.

The clothes you wear:

Wear something cool, comfortable, and non-distracting to walk in.

Your shoes:

Comfortable walking shoes are the best choice for walking meditation.

1. Start by standing still.
2. Start walking.
3. Be present in your body.
4. Pay attention to your breathing.
5. Notice physical sensations.
6. Notice your emotions and thoughts.

Start small with your walking meditation practice. Soon you'll find yourself walking farther and farther - and reaping more mindfulness benefits from your new habit.

Are you going to try walking meditation? We'd love to hear how it goes for you!