In Praise of Walking

In praise of walking: 

to bring it all down to one simple practice, a complete morning ritual that covers all the bases for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being - and so with this I sing the praise of walking, getting out in earliest light and covering just a bit of distance, briskly, breathing mainly through the nose, and allowing nature to fill us with her joy. 

of course I still recommend formal breathwork, sitting meditation, and yoga. These are staple to my life, and never once absent from my practice. Yet walking can carry every aspect of these practices, as well as immersing us in the healing fractal of nature. Some studies have shown that being exposed to natural fractals can reduce stress levels by as much as 60%, calling this the biophilic effect, and worldwide simply being known as forest bathing. The effects aren't dependent on being in an actual forest, any natural setting will do, even a city block that has its fill of trees. 

so I write this in praise of walking, and the healing designs of nature. 

a natural yoga.

an easy morning meditation. 

and we can add to this, not much, but a few little details that bring its benefits a bit more sharply into focus. Early morning light is essential to our health, causing a hormonal reaction that first helps prepares for the coming day, low level stress hormones in just the right order, energizing, and later providing the raw material for much needed sleep hormones that will help close out our day. If we walk before breakfast we provide a boost to our metabolism, and if after, we burn those calories and help balance blood sugar levels. So it's a win either way. Our next step is to focus on nasal breathing, not forced, but just a gentle focus, allowing the easy flow of air to path through the nose, inhaling and exhaling light and softly even as we're walking briskly. The health benefits are many with nasal breathing, offering a natural filter to purify the air, increasing flow to arteries, veins, and nerves, improving lung function and circulation. These are only a few to mention, but for our benefit here we'll add that nasal breathing offers us a meditative effect, again with a gentle, easy focus, bringing our attention back to the airs passage for even a few breaths will add a subtle, energizing quality to our practice. 

Ff we are inclined towards the devotional we can add a mantram to our practice, choosing a holy name that works through its vibration. This isn't a mindless repetition of a sound, we're not chanting, it's just a gentle recall of a holy word - and with this meditation happens completely on its own. 

all of this, and so much more, is why I write in praise of walking. 

it's an easy practice. 

our most natural form of yoga.

~

Peace, Eric