Have you heard that people are beginning to take part in the “new” barefoot running exercise based on the new book, “Born to Run”?
I grew up when life was simple and natural. As a kid it was normal to go outside and play in our bare feet. I remember the feel of the grass on my feet and the fun of jumping in a pool of water barefoot. I also remember bee stings, cuts and bruises that my mom or dad would always “fix” for us and send us on our way back outside. I recall putting my bare foot to the metal pedal of my bike and feeling the power of speed. There were only two times we wore shoes: 1) at school and 2) at church services. Ah, the good ole days. Kids wear flip flops or some foot covering now when they play outside. However, the sensory perception and knowing what is going on in the earth beneath our feet is an experience they are missing.
Considering the fact that almost all of us are wearing improper shoes and damaging our feet only highlights that we need to spend time finding, purchasing and wearing the proper shoes. And, go barefoot whenever we can–safely. Barefoot running or walking encourages mid foot strike and preventing hard unnatural heel strikes and encourages natural posture and motion. It is only in the past 30 years that running shoes have become laden with padding, arch supports and technical advances that countless studies and medical professionals show are doing more harm than good. People are realizing that barefoot is really a way to go. Can this be contributed to people looking for back-to-basics, simplicity and natural ways of living – going green, so to speak?
For the majority of people barefoot is the healthiest way to be for the body. However, it is too risky for most of us to strip off our shoes and go for a barefoot walk/run (unless on a sandy beach). I have read that “The VivoBarefoot shoe has a uniquely thin and puncture resistant sole (a patented technology) that gives all the protection of normal shoes and the health benefits of walking barefoot”. If nothing else, it is recommended that you walk barefoot around your home – inside and outside – to see if barefoot walking is the “new” activity for you.
Tags: exercise, feet, Healthy Walking, Rosalie Lynch, Walking Barefoot
Meditation Walking is defined as a method of walking and meditating at the same time and you may also hear it referred to as: Contemplative or Spiritual Walking Practices, Labyrinth Walking, Pilgrimages, Quests. Many churches and spiritual groups organize meditation walking for members of their congregation/group. Often they provide an opportunity for complete silence during the walks even if you are walking in a group. Everyone is silent and meditating in their own faith. Each person walks their own pace. They may stop and read a meditation book or write in their journal. Not only are they organized and offered to adults, they are offered to the teens as well.
The Meditation Walking is not concern about the activity of walking as it is on the spiritual side and nature. They concentrate on the stepping of their feet. Such as: there are four stages in taking each step when you walk; and they are: (1) lifting the foot; (2) moving it forward; (3) putting it down; and (4) touching or pressing the foot on the ground. By paying close attention to these four stages of walking meditation seems to provide a way of accepting the true sense of reality of body motion and the spiritual side of life. I know when I want to escape from my thoughts and problems. I concentrate on walking; such as, I say to myself “right foot forward; left foot forward” and I keep saying that over and over and soon my problems take a much needed rest and my brain can be active keeping track of my physical activity and soothes away the negative thoughts. I’m not sure that is spiritual; however, it does have a healing effect and I feel “refreshed”.
It reduces anxiety, stress and depression because you are going beyond yourself into the spiritual arena. I know my bother, a minister, goes every year with a group of other ministers on a meditation walk. He always says he comes back “refreshed” on life and helping other people. His walk is silent. He does not speak to anyone for a whole weekend and he writes in his journal his thoughts. Most of these types of walks are held in the outdoors, wooded if possible because there are fewer distractions.
Tags: a silent walk, meditation, spiritual walk, walking
