In today’s hectic world, there is a lot of discussion about the myriad benefits of meditation. A daily meditation practice allows the brain to unwind, destress, and take a short break from the endless stream of social media feeds and to-do lists. Meditation can help us learn to process our emotions in a healthy and non-reactionary way, and it promotes higher levels of happiness and productivity in day-to-day life.
But, while meditation is crucial to a more peaceful existence, it’s not always accessible. Many of us don’t have ten to 20 minutes in our days to sit quietly with our thoughts. And, even if we did, we might find ourselves focusing more on the things we need to get done once our meditation is over, than the actual practice. So, how do we create a space to destress within our busy lives? The answer may lie in moving meditation.
What is Moving Meditation?
Many people believe meditation has to be done sitting down with our eyes closed, and our focus placed solely on the breath. In reality, meditation can be done almost anywhere in the form of moving meditation.
Moving meditation is an intentional exercise where the practitioner moves his or her body mindfully, with awareness placed on specific internal and external occurrences.
Running as Moving Meditation
Running is an ideal form of moving meditation because it promotes a number of sensations that the runner can focus on. For example, runners may practice listening to their breathing, and paying attention to the rhythm and sound. Are the breaths short and shallow, or are they long and nourishing? Similarly, runners can focus on their footsteps. What does the cadence sound like? Are the footsteps light and energetic, or are they slow and heavy? By placing the attention on the current state of the body, runners can understand more about themselves in the moment, and how they are feeling. Just like in meditation, when the runner becomes distracted by something other than whatever they’re specifically paying attention to, he or she must actively bring the mind back into focus.
“Through meditation we learn to relax and yet be keenly aware of our moment-to-moment sensations, thoughts, and the world around us,” said Jon Pratt, the co-director of “Running with the Mind of Meditation and Yoga,” a moving meditation program at the Shambala Mountain Center, a Buddhist retreat in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. “We set an intention to let go of daydreaming, fantasizing, and problem solving. By letting go of thoughts and coming back to our immediate physical experience, we find that our body softens, and our mind feels lighter, more joyful.”
Meditation and running share many similarities, which is why running is a perfect alternative, or addition, to a meditation practice.
“Just as your body becomes stronger and more accustomed to running through training, your mind becomes stronger and more able to focus and stay calm and present through meditation,” said Pratt.
“Relax enough (into the run), and your body becomes so familiar with the cradle-rocking rhythm that you almost forget you’re moving,” said Christopher McDougall in his book Born to Run. “You have to listen closely to the sound of your own breathing…and ask yourself, honestly and often, exactly how you feel. What could be more sensual than paying exquisite attention to your own body?”
