Outdoor Walking Meditation
As the warmer weather settles in, many of us feel a strong yearning to be outdoors as much as possible. A walking meditation is one way that you can enjoy being outdoors and reflecting, which requires minimal space. Here are 3 easy steps to take in order to get started.
Comfortable Space
To begin, find a space where you feel comfort and can have minimal interruptions. Your space can be the size of a yoga mat or the length of your garden. You can use a balcony, a bit of grass in the park, or a section of the driveway. It works best if there are some visual marks at each end of your short path, such as bricks on your patio or the edge of your lawn.
Get Grounded
Stand in place and feel the ground under your feet.
If you can go barefoot, give that a try. Take a few deep breathes and notice your connection to the earth.
Breathe
- When you are ready, inhale and lift up one foot.
- Exhale as you plant it on the ground.
- Inhale as you lift the other foot.
- Repeat.
This is very slow. Remember, it is a moving meditation, not a walk to get anywhere. When you reach the end of your area, stand in place again for a couple deep breathes before deliberately turning around and walking back. Repeat this pattern for 5 or 10 minutes and notice if your sensations or emotions change over the course of the practice. If sounds from human life or nature catch your attention, notice them and return your attention back to your breath and steps.
After you have practiced, feel free to change the pace so that it works for you. Perhaps you would feel better doing a whole step cycle on the in-breath or three steps per breath. The idea is to connect to your steps and your breathing by syncing them together.
Get creative and make this practice your own while enjoying the outdoors!
Written by Sarah Good
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