Can You Meditate While Walking?
Don’t worry if you still haven’t found your preferred method of meditation. There are so many options out there, from traditional seated meditations, to yoga and walking. You can meditate and focus your attention in silence, or even meditate with music.
Although conventional portrayals of meditation have the image of a seated meditator, cross-legged and still, there are dynamic forms of the practice as well. In fact, many people practice meditation just by walking, as it’s another powerful way to become more balanced and focused.
Mindful walking can be a great way to enhance your awareness of your surroundings, thoughts, and physicality.
In this article, we focus on the advantages of walking meditations. You might find that this is the type of meditation that you naturally gravitate towards, so let’s dive into the details.
The Benefits Of A Walking Meditation
Many people sit for extended periods in desk-based jobs, and the negative health impacts of this kind of sedentary lifestyle are well documented.
For a person like this, any additional walking has proven to positively affect their overall heart health profoundly.
Moreover, when meditation was implemented into their new walking habit, there were many additional benefits:
- Walking improved energy levels through blood flow by boosting circulation.
- Even a gentle stroll reduced anxiety when combined with guided or taught meditation techniques.
- Increased walking often enhanced sleep quality.
Walking meditations in the morning are a fantastic way to begin the day. They give the meditator a clear mind, supporting day-to-night calmness, sleep health, and overall wellness.
The practice can also be advantageous for people with a high fall risk due to improvements in their balance and coordination.
With all of these benefits, it’s clear to see that walking meditations contain a harmonious blend of mindfulness and physical movement.
Alternative Ways to Teach A Meditation Practice
As we’ve discovered, meditation is a fluid, self-led experience.
Our certified training courses offer a variety of different types of meditation techniques to new students, and there isn’t a wrong time or way to practice those techniques.
For example, taking the opportunity to meditate before or after workout sessions can stretch your muscles, help you relax, and direct your focus to the task ahead.
Meditation is also an optimal way to reduce cortisol levels, aiding faster recovery whilst relieving symptoms of stress.
To ensure people can slot meditation into their lifestyles, they must first understand its flexibility and customizability. Some of the many ways to meditate include:
- Listening to music, paying full attention to the sounds, lyrics, and instruments.
- Dancing, guided by the beat and leaving inhibitions behind.
- Tai Chi and yoga are often referred to as ‘moving meditation’. They combine mindful movement with concentration.
- Conscious breathing - breathwork is a potent activity that can help banish intrusive thoughts.
- Coloring is a way to practice mindfulness with creativity and fun!
Any activity that enables someone to objectively observe their thoughts, connect with the present moment, and disconnect from the daily distractions around them is a suitable way to meditate.
Flexible Meditation Styles
Mindfulness isn’t a prescribed practice with a rigid structure. It’s a tool to assist in controlling emotions and thoughts, equipping us with the ability to make proactive changes.
Light physical activity, when combined with meditation, is an excellent way to focus on the body’s movement, and receive the benefits of both exercise and mediation at the same time.
To learn more about alternative meditation techniques and how best to use them, please visit our directory of Mindfulness Training Courses.
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