Why we love to walk
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Why we love to walk
Why do we love to walk? For many of us, it is a major part of our day from the minute we slip our feet out of bed in the morning, until we slip them back in at night. What is so special about walking and why do so many of us choose it as a form of exercise beyond our normal daily function?
Let's consider a few possibilities as to why we love to walk:
- For many, walking is simple to do. You put on your trainers, open your front door and away you go.
- Walking means getting out in the fresh air.
- When you walk outdoors, you are always with nature. Whether it is in town, in the country, on the coast or up a mountain, there is always something to see that can connect you to the beauty of the world we live in.
- Walking can be fitted into your daily schedule at a time when it suits you. Even a 15 minute walk in your lunch break at work can revitalise and support you through the afternoon.
- Walking is very adaptable and you can make your walks short, long, fast, slow, hilly or flat or any combination. Just by listening to what your body needs that day, you can enjoy a walk that suits.
When we go for a walk we tend to focus on the things around us, but how much attention do we give to what is going on inside us?
How would it feel if we connected more deeply to our bodies and listened to what they are telling us as we walk?
One way to begin this would be to bring our awareness to our breath, keeping it gentle, enjoying its rhythm, and if we are out of breath slowing our walk down a little until we feel our natural breath.
We could enjoy moving our body gently too, giving equal consideration to each step, feeling our feet rolling along the ground and staying with that feeling.
By bringing awareness to our body we can feel how all the different parts interact with each other and flow, including the rock of our hips, swing of our arms and bounce of our hands when we let them release and relax.
When we connect to ourselves in this way there is a lightness, we are not stuck in our thoughts and there is an ease of movement throughout our body - harmony in motion, no trying or pushing – our body just knows what to do.
In these moments we appreciate how precious our body is in its natural wisdom and how important it is to keep listening to it throughout our day.
When we are gentle with our body as we walk, we can feel a connection to a deeper part within us, a place where, despite our body moving, is very still.
When we connect to the stillness within as we walk, we can feel the loveliness of just being ourselves with no need to try hard, push ourselves or please others and we can feel the joy of simply being fully connected to ourselves and in harmony with the world.
Could this be at the very heart of why we love to walk?
Another way to connect with ourselves and our body to feel the stillness within is with a simple gentle breath meditation. You can find our more about this and try a free introductory gentle breath meditation on the meditation sphere on our website.
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