Walking Meditation
We learn to walk when we were very little, and then we don’t think much about it. When you are feeling overwhelmed take a moment to slow down and just focus on walking and it can be a soothing, meditative activity.
1. When you begin a walking meditation, pretend that you have never walked before. It helps to practice in your home with bare feet before trying this outdoors.
2. Create a clear path, maybe a hallway, or any place in your home where you can walk back and forth.
3. Focus on your posture, straightening your spine from your tailbone to the crown of your head, and standing squarely over your feet and hips.
4. Feel your feet on the floor. Imagine that your feet have never touched or felt the floor, like you’re on another planet and have no idea how this “new ground” will feel. Notice every inch of your feet touching the floor or the ground. Be curious about how everything feels under your feet.
5. Lengthen your body up through your spine to the crown of your head. Bring your shoulders down and back to open your heart centre. Make sure your chin is slightly tucked.
6. Take small steps, and step lightly and slowly. Smile while you are walking. Realize how different it is to walk without having a place to go and how refreshing it feels to be focused solely on walking, surrendering all thought about anything other than walking.
