Recently, I have found a new love for walking. Walking not only offers one of the best physical forms of exercise, but many psychological and spiritual benefits as well.
We are also beginning to uncover other ways we are optimized with walking. A recent study shows that our foot’s impact helps control and increase the amount of blood sent to our brain. And these benefits may be boosted even more when our intention is doing something we enjoy.
Notice any areas you can let go of any tension and find your flow.
“Researchers at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) found that the foot’s impact during walking sends pressure waves through the arteries that significantly modify and can increase the supply of blood to the brain.””
In our first meeting, I walk with my new client in the hallway of my clinic. I am interested in what they notice about their own walking signature and what this reveals to them. I enjoy drawing connections to how this relates to their physical therapy session to immediately draw them into a learning space that is nonjudgemental and accessible. By helping my client develop this skill of walking awareness, they can access it anytime to find an easier way to play with their posture in motion.
So how can we optimize our walks to get even better results? Play with it, walk for the fun of it. Spend time out of your thinking body to explore your feeling body. By doing this, you can explore hidden movements, or habits that are off-line that can reveal new ways of moving. Try this experiment with your Smartroller® Links to enhance your movement awareness, and refine your touch to the ground.
“In daily life, there is so much to do and so little time. You may feel pressured to run all the time. Just stop! Touch the ground of the present moment deeply, and you will touch real peace and joy. ”
Enjoy this video and how it demonstrates walking for the fun of it.
