Breath walking: misfit style.

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This is how I USED to walk.

This is how I USED to walk.

Hello my name is MizFit (hi mizfit!) and Im a fast walker.

It’s not so much if we’re ambling together but alone I tend to walk purposefully—with a destination in mind.

A destination and, typically, said destination has a time associated with it.

I stride purposefully, quickly, and exceedingly mindlessly.

As a result, my recent trip to NYC was a tremendous gift. 

I had meetings (for which I got fancy & took a cab) yet for the most part my time was my own.

I still wanted to do my daily meditation–but was hesitant to “waste” any of my precious NYC-time in the hotel room.

Ill save this for home!

Ill save this for home!

Enter the notion of breath walking.

Breath walking, a blending of walking and Kundalini yoga, was initially designed for people lacking in stamina and flexibility.

Quite frankly the only thing I have going for me in yoga is my stamina and flexibility—so Ive always scoffed at never made time for moving meditation.

Quite frankly Id still not have made time to try it had I not read an article (on the flight to NYC. there are no accidents) which described it this way:

 In walking meditation we use the experience of walking as our sole focus.

As a woman with tremendous monkey mind I was sold.

I can walk.  I know how to walk. I can focus on the walk.

Continuous stepping + measured breaths + a mantra = a breath walking, NYC strolling misfit.

I practiced moving meditation each morning during my trip and have tried it a few times since Ive returned.

It rocks. It’s super challenging.  Here’s why.

Why moving meditation ROCKED:

  • Breath walking is a needed change.  It was perfect when I didnt want to meditate indoors.  It was invigorating *and* I felt part of the city.  Now home, Ive found breath walking (instead of haul-a** walking) a way to intersperse meditation into the zaniness of my day.
  • It works *with* my monkey mind.  Ive grown better at stopping distracting during meditation but Im far from perfect.  Ive found my mind SLOWS during breath walking as it tunes into/becomes more aware of bodily sensations.  This still isnt completely emptying my mind—but it’s better than distracting, fretting thoughts.
  • It makes sense!  Walking rocks (walking 75 minutes weekly may add two years to your life.  walking 64 minutes daily may add 4.5 years.).  Meditation rocks.  Why not walking meditation?!
  • It’s easy and fast.  Commit.  Pull on your shoes.  WALK!  There are specifics (addressed below) but more than anything it’s choosing a mantra and walking slowly.  It’s focusing on how your body feels as you move, how your breaths flow in & out, and on the releasing tension from your physique.

 

Why breath walking was a challenge:

  • I struggled with inward focus. When I meditate at home Im rarely visually distracted as my eyes are closed.  In New York it was a challenge not to ‘sight-see’ and at home it’s a challenge to watch where Im going yet not grow distracted by people or things in my path.
  • Im a wonky breather. Who knew? During breath walking you match your breath with your stride.  Im getting better at slowing down both pieces—but initially Id have been panting had I matched my breath with my steps.
  • I cant walk and tap at concurrently–yet.  It’s suggested as you breath walk you tap your fingers (thumb to pointer, thumb to middle etc).  While this sounds easy–it consistently trips me up.  My mantra (I am stress-free) fits perfectly with the taps and yet, while trying to focus inward and move *and* not bonk into anything, I’ve consistently forgotten to tap.

All things considered Im smitten with the notion of moving meditation.

It wont replace my morning minutes but I enjoy how breath walking brings meditation to mundane activities from walking to school to strolling to the post office.

Now you.

      • Have you tried breath walking?
      • Do you meditate with a mantra? Care to share?
      • Did you see me BONK! into a pole the first time I movingly meditated in my ‘hood? (<—-please say no even if you did)

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Comments

  7. I’ve never tried this form of meditation but as I’ve started running more miles I have been focused on my breathing. I’ve been practicing a rhythm of inhales and exhales based on my steps. It really helps me stay calm yet strong.

  8. Love this. I feel like I’m always walking in a hurry – even when my walking is for exercise. Although I did take a lunch break last week for a walk where I ditched my music and listened to the world around me. It was wonderful.

  9. I’ve been kind of working on non music running to help with my breathing. In this off season walking will be a welcome change!

  10. I think i did this yesterday. Okay maybe not, but i get it, and i like it, and think it can be very… BENEFICIAL. we were made to walk and clear the mind, yes?

    • and I think you probably DID.
      you tend to bring a meditative quality to all you do…

  13. I hate meditation, but need it.
    I have a shit ton (can I say that LOL) of mundane activities, Mizzy.

    I should try this.

  15. Never heard of this but I like the sound of it! Not sure I can clear the mind & not walk into things either but it sounds cool.. must research more OR maybe just do my own way. 😉 Like me in the gym! 🙂

  16. Wow! Interesting. I’d like to observe someone doing it and see if I could tell that’s what they were doing. My mantra is “Focus” and I think it would work well with this idea of breathe walking.

  17. Rulle one of having a mantra that was given to you by a practicing yogi/meditation person.
    you never share it!

    • I actually knew that, too. Pick my own mantra, hence the misfit style too.
      I dont need no stinkin’ rules.
      Im just here trying to make it through…rules-free.

  20. I would probably never try this, BUT, can and do appreciate learning how others enter a transformative state.

    Even when we don’t practice what we learn from others, it’s good to expand our horizons.

  21. I love this idea! I definitely get distracted when I try to meditate sitting still- but on a run, my mind empties and I can be present. I really love walking too, but never tried it as meditation. Curious to give it a try!

  22. Walking meditation is a great alternative to those who feel like they need to move to let their brain rest. Does that make sense? I don’t practice it often with walking but there are times when running I am meditating.

  24. Never tried breath walking but I do walk every day, one of the big advantages of having a dog. Though I never run without music, on my daily walks I never do, gives me time to think or don’t think at all and just enjoy the walk.

  25. This is the way I used to walk, and it’s the main reason that I loved walking so much. I would do about the first 20 or 30 minutes hard and fast (depending on how much of a physical component there is to the anxiety), and then do 15 to 20 as a walking meditation. I found that if I worked out some of the nervous energy first, I was able to settle into the meditative part much more readily and I ended feeling like the whole world is a beautiful place. Walking became not a workout for me so much as my quiet time.

    Thich Nhat Hanh – who I really revere – has written a couple of books about it, which is how I was introduced to the concept. I was doing something similar before, when I would do my walking outside instead of on the treadmill, but it wasn’t really a conscious process. After reading about it, I made it a mindful, conscious act.

    However, this was all when I lived back East. Since moving, I don’t have easy access to the kind of woodsy nature setting in which I prefer to walk, so I just haven’t been doing it. Thanks for the reminder, because I think this is a big piece of what’s been missing for me here. I need to make it a priority to find a way to make it happen.

  28. and I didnt really even realize HOW FAST of a walker I was … until I s-l-o-w-e-d down.

  30. I haven’t tried breath walking or meditating. I love to walk and wish I could walk the neighborhood without the nerves of dogs off leashes. People just don’t get it around here so I have to wait to walk the trails with hubby. I’m smart and don’t walk alone lol

    Breath walking sounds interesting though.

  31. I’m with you on all levels. Moving meditation has been the one thing that has always resonated with me ever since I found it. For me, even running when I find the perfect pace can be a focus on breath and moving and just the most soothing and restorative thing 🙂

  32. This sounds pretty interested especially if you’re busy and have a tight schedule. Definitely something that I’d love to read more about!

  33. I’ve never taken the time for meditation (even when I do a yoga DVD – I skip the end) and I’m one of those people who always walks quickly on a mission. However, the past few days have been very humbling for me just getting around my house. I think later this week when I get to add light walking I will try the breath walking – not sure if I can get the breathing, pace and tapping all at the same time plus a mantra but I’m inspired and gonna try!!!

  34. I looooooove walking meditation. Especially when paired with writing afteward. 😉

    And a big ACHOOOO on the allergies!!!!!!! Damn them!

  36. I want to say that this appeals to my multi-tasking side, but see the irony of that statement.
    How slowly do you walk? If you count 4 in breaths, do you stride once on the in or 4 times? My attention-to-detail mind wants to know!

  37. I used to do this frequently. All by accident I was always mindful.
    I miss my mindful me.

  38. I have never really heard of moving mediation but it sounds fantastic. Maybe I can get some in while I’m on the computer at work…or not but it’s worth a shot.

  41. My sister is a very fast walker and I’m more, er, meditative. In other words, she likes to sweat and I don’t! So she is always in front, and I’m in back, dawdling along. As a matter of fact, she’s picking me up in 20 minutes for our walk!

  42. I love walking. I love breathing. I love my sis, but I do like to walk quickly. Though I might give breath walking a try. And no, I did not see you bonk into anything at all. Even if I did, I didn’t. (Right answer, yes?). Breathe.

  43. Love to see the variations on meditation as I am too monkey-minded to be able to stand the traditional type.

    I’ve tried this, but found for me I tend to get antsy and feel matyred within a couple of minutes. I do better trying to do a walking meditation with a focus on the sights, textures, sounds, smells, sunshine etc around me as a means to redirecting my thinking-obsessed brain. Not that it works for more than a few seconds at a time, but I just keep returning to the colors, sounds etc.

    My breath bores me to tears, but i’m so glad you found something that works so well for you!

  44. I am a very fast walker. I don’t have any other speeds that fast. People have a hard time keeping up with me and I have to remind myself to slow down. LOL

  45. I love this, especially since I have found a renewed appreciation for walking. We adopted a dog about a month ago, and I have fallen in love with our daily walks. It definitely helps “center” me, as I tend to run around like a crazy person. Now, I just need to add the meditative breathing part!

  46. I could never sit a meditate, I was never good at it. Whenever I sit still my mind wanders and if anything it stresses me out! Whenever I need to clear my head a brisk walk is always the best solution. It really does help to clear your head and just help your breathe and focus on the present and relax.

  47. Apparently this is very different from the walking/breathing meditation I learned from one of my early yoga teachers. (Was there a link that explained the finger tapping? If so I missed it.) I just tried a few paces, timing myself, and it took me 30 seconds to go four feet. Definitely not for sidewalks!

  48. I am a wonky breather too. When I started at my new gym, the owners/trainers had me exercise crocodile breaths before beginning any workout. It helped me focus on how my entire should be moving when I am breathing.

  49. There isn’t a link as this is how it was explained to me by a friend. That said 🙂 I’m certain I can find a link to add when I’m back the computer. That tapping throws me off every time….

  51. I wish I’d seen you bonk into the pole! ’cause that would mean we’d meet in person, and could go, share a coffee and laugh together!! 🙂 I find it tough to shut off my mind at the best of times, so I may be bonking into poles with you! Have a great Monday Carla!

  52. I consider part of my daily run or walk meditation. I do focus on my breathe and usually am repeating an affirmation. It’s not the same as sitting down for meditation, but I always feel really wonderful from doing it, so I figure that is a big part of it!

  53. I knew about walking meditation but this is the first time I have heard it described in such colorful, compelling and attractive terms – complete with potential pitfalls for the unwary. Great post. Thanks.

  54. I found intriguing your commenter who said she found moving meditation through running.
    I don’t enjoy running, but this could work for me.

  55. I think I don’t get this at all. Why not just sit and meditate outside if you want to be outside?

    If you are meditating you are not paying attention to your surroundings anyway so why walk and wouldn’t it be dangerous?

    I am sure I am totally missing something here.

    I really wanna know 🙂

    • thats kinda what Id always thought too until I gave it a shot.
      I think for so many people the monkey mind makes them quit meditation entirely—so this is a FAB option.
      For me Ive found I can get so wound up when my todo list is miles long it transforms the mundane “have to” errands into something which feels both meditative and also like a gift to me.

  56. What a great idea! I am a fast walker, too. I remember spending many great evenings and weekends walking my off around Japan… usually through a few towns, rice paddies, etc. Gave me a lot of time to think and breath. Love how motivational you are. 🙂

  64. Ummm I think I need to point this out…you look like you are running!!!! There are times when I’m running that I meditate…I try to focus on just one thing and work through it during a run.

  65. I’m not sure I can multitask lol just kidding, I’m a woman – of course I can do breath walking 🙂

  67. Sounds right up your alley. Misfit Meditation. 🙂

    I can barely make myself walk when I’m outside. I find walking boring. Walking is rest time between my running time. Running is as close as I get to meditation, esp on long runs, which is my favorite kind of run…3 miles is my least favorite. It’s all the work with almost none of the (endorphin) payoff. Long runs provide a mind-escaping, out of body experience, which is close enough to meditation for me.

    Monkey mind here, too. Damn monkey.

  68. I really enjoyed this posting. I just started mediating and practicing yoga on a regular basis, and I have always been very curious about moving mediation. I’m still trying to carve out some space in my busy life to mediated on a regular bases, and moving mediation might be the answer to my issue. I also have a blog: evolvewithmary.blogspot.com where I share fitness tips, knowledge and goals. Thank you for writing such a interesting and educational posting. Your a huge inspiration.

  71. I haven’t tried breath walking, but I have tried going without my music so I just soak up the atmosphere and just ‘being’.

    Because I’ve struggled with exercise of late I’m no longer walking ‘for exercise’. I’m wearing thongs (flip flops) and strolling. For enjoyment. As I’m in a beautiful part of the world I’m forced to take a minute to appreciate and enjoy what’s around me.

  72. OMG I love this idea!! I am constantly in haul a** mode when I walk around NYC. But I do walk a lot and I have a hard time sitting and meditating. I wonder if this would be a better way for me to meditate!

  77. Wow. I had never heard of this but it sounds like a great way to relax, detress, and still workout. Walking is my favorite activity. I like to be able to look around and take deep breaths and meander around my neighborhood. I would have never thought to include meditation with it but after reading this I may have to.

  78. I’ve never hear of this but I think its a good idea. For me at least its hard to sit still for a while and completely zone out, but I did find walking to and from class when I was in college pretty therapeutic and always took it as some time alone to think.

  79. I’ve never tried walking meditation. But, manta meditation is on of my faves. It helps to keep the monkey mind tamed and it’s easier to lose focus.

    How about a walking mantra meditation!

  80. Breath walking, another new way of exercise, this is interesting. I usually walk then jog, so I am always out of breath during these workouts. I think I will try this for a change, like meditating but moving. Great blog!

  81. This is the best type of exercise for the larger woman. It has worked wonders with me and helped me control my breathing and help me get through those horrid stitches.

  82. I think this is a great article. I like walking but often get bored. I think trying to walk and meditate to calm myself is a great idea. It then gives me a purpose to walk and exercise while also giving me something to think about…or well maybe not think about. 🙂

    thanks

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