Have you ever tried walking meditation?
Here’s a tip from our ashtanga mysore teacher, Caroline:
“An important part of wellbeing is connecting with nature. Although getting out into green and wild spaces of the UK and beyond may still be a way off for most of us, nature can truly be found everywhere, and taking just a few minutes to appreciate our natural surroundings can foster a sense of calm and joy, reduce our stress levels, and boost our mental health.
One of the ways I like to do this is to take a mindfulness walk. Mindful walking is a form of mindfulness (or meditation) practice that uses the everyday activity of walking to help you become more aware of the present moment. Rather than simply tuning out or allowing yourself to become distracted, a mindfulness walk involves paying close attention to the fine details of your environment and the sensations in your body, which can improve your attention and mental focus as well as interrupt unhelpful and repetitive thought patterns. Although mindful walking is most rewarding when done out of doors, you really don’t need access to big spaces or long distances to get the benefits – in as little as 15 minutes, you can take a mindfulness walk in a public park, along a riverside or canal path, or even in your own garden. Nor do you need good weather – rain can add an astonishing richness of sights, sounds, smells and textures to the experience. Even the walking part is optional; I have experienced some deeply nourishing mindfulness practices with a sensory focus during bus rides or train journeys.
If you’d like to give mindful walking a try (and why wouldn’t you!) here’s a 15 minute mindfulness walk recorded in my garden.”