As a Pilates teacher I’m sure you will all know that I’m a huge fan of Mind/Body exercise and one of my favourite Mind/Body ways to exercise (besides Pilates!) is walking.
I LOVE walking……I find the well-being aspect of walking transformational in many ways.
Some of my happiest times have been walking. Why? Because you can access remote places, places where you can’t get to any other way, places that are so fantastic that they are simply humbling. But, it is so much more than that, it is the feeling, the sheer awesomeness of being somewhere where it is simply you and Nature. The sense of peace, the feeling of grace and bliss, it touches my soul.
Walking to Everest base camp allowed me to experience some of the most spectacular views that will forever be permanently etched in my memory. It also allowed me to experience personal transformations that changed the course of my life – my own personal pilgrimage – walking is powerful.
After I married in the US, we went on a road trip stopping at many of the national parks to spend the day walking and exploring. It was such an unbelievable experience as each one was unique, so diverse and so spectacular in it’s own individual way. What really stood out for me was the feeling I got in these places. They really touched my soul and I felt such an overwhelming sense of joy that genuinely changed me. I don’t think I would have had such an intense feeling if I had driven round them, flown over them or looked at them in a book. It was all about being a part of them – exploring them on foot and using all my senses to truly experience them.
And that is why I love walking.
I also love the challenge of longer walks, pushing myself to do more, go further or achieve a goal. I totally get why people have done Pilgrimages across the centuries, the personal journey, the transformation along the way, the freedom to don your walking boots and go!
I love walking locally too – in the Peaks, the Lincolnshire Wolds, Clumber Park, Rufford and right out of my front door down by the river. I love walking around with the hustle and bustle of towns and cities . I love walking alone, walking with family, walking with friends and walking in amongst a crowd of people – each one gives me pleasure.
Most days I walk and almost every evening after dinner I walk with my hubby, we walk for at least 40 mins and its our time to talk about our day. It’s such a lovely way to be able to really listen to each other, enjoy being in the fresh air (and sometimes the rain!). It helps with digestion, it helps keep us healthy and mobile, and it is ‘our’ time. Honestly, it is so much nicer than switching on TV and spending a few hours not moving.
We know that we ALL sit down too much and going for a walk can really help to combat our sedentary lifestyles. New research is coming out showing that it helps with our creativity. I think we are already aware of that – whenever I’m struggling with ideas or a decision I have to make, I go for a walk, my best thinking is done whilst Im walking. On top of that, it is such a great way to bring your stress levels down – it’s hard to feel stressed or annoyed when the sun is shining and you are walking by the river. But, even if you live in town, there is so much to see and enjoy – walking makes us feel good!
As Hippocrates said “walking is the best medicine” and I believe it is not just important but vital for our health and happiness – lets get our walking shoes on 🙂