No matter what type of walk you lace up your shoes and step out the door to take, it is the energy and intention that distinguishes one style from another. What is always the same, no matter the outcome is the way our body requires us to move… one foot in front of another. So, whether you are taking a walk in the park at lunchtime or thru hiking a long-distance trail, the attitude we embrace while physically propelling ourselves forward can significantly change the way we feel when walking.
There are as many different styles of walking as there are colors of the rainbow. There are the walks that are purely to blow off steam, move heavy energy through the body, and return to your center. Walking is a valuable means of cleansing yourself energetically and to encourage happier thoughts.
This style of walking is an ideal way to spontaneously shift your energy. It can move heavy emotion through your body as you literally “walk it off.” This movement-based letting go can have a profound and cathartic effect. Walking is a nearly effortless way to get back to a grounded, human-powered energy that goes way beyond bipedal locomotion.
Then, there are the hikes for purely adventurous purposes. You are eager to see that stunning waterfall or an epic mountain view you read about somewhere. Or you may be an avid birdwatcher during migration season or an herbalist resolutely scanning the sides of the trail. These are specific rambles that almost always deliver much more than expected.
Another type is achieved by the fitness-oriented hiker, determined to burn calories and build muscle on a strenuous climb. In addition to an endorphin rush is the sense of accomplishment felt at the peak of such an undertaking. Whether the hike is six hours or six months, the triumphant feeling at the successful completion fuels many hikers. Achieving physical goals can be a powerful blueprint for creating self-confidence.
And then… there is walking as if you are in a sacred ceremony. Walking as a meditation fills all the voids and answers all the questions from a place of pure personal freedom. This walking style also has a specific intention, yet the benefits are more subtle. When Walking as a Sacred Path, we are aligned with Spirit and one with the Earth. Our movement becomes light and less restricted. If we can lessen our tight grip on the stresses of the day, the experience envelops us wholly and leads us on a sacred journey.
With gratitude for all her gifts, walking in awe of nature’s beauty is a habit we can cultivate. Initially, it might take physically getting yourself in a place that you find delightful to immerse yourself in this new practice fully. And then, one day, out of the blue, you will have the most miraculous experiences! And just like that, as if by magic, life outside of walking yields similar qualities, and inner peace prevails in all hours of the day.
The one thing that all these styles of walking have in common is the immeasurable benefits to all areas of our lives… physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The why is less important than the desire to do so. When you get the urge to go outside and take a walk, you are being summoned by your Higher Self. Listen to the call. Lace up your shoes, and let’s go for a walk!
Namaste
