Practising yoga and meditation is a key part of keeping physically fit in the Ayurveda tradition. But an everyday exercise that requires even less preparation and planning – walking – can also go a long way towards improving our health and wellbeing. So here’s our Ayurveda tip.
It seems like stating the obvious – and it is! And yet it may well be a blasé attitude towards the most straightforward form of exercise that means we don’t make the most of walking and the benefits it can have.
Why walk?
Walking is a big part of a wholesome, ayurvedic lifestyle. Let us walk you (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves) through why we’ve picked this as our current Ayurveda tip:
- Walking is singled out as a way to gently achieve balance in the three doshas, or human biological energies: vata, pitta and kapha.
- It’s proven to reduce the risk of heart disease – as well as stroke, diabetes, and many others.
- Taking time to walk is taking time to reflect. It encourages mindfulness and helps us become more focused.
- Walking reduces stress and improves your mood – something that is so easy to forget when we’re in the thick of it and can’t be physically removed from our desk chair.
And let’s not forget that walking doesn’t involve any special kitting out. Plus, it’s completely free!
But walking is a luxury – I’m too busy
The vast distances we have to cover every day, and the need to get to places quickly or at short notice, mean that we often choose an alternative to walking.
We become more and more reliant on public transport and our cars. Even when walking is an option, it might not be the first one we think of.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Taking a moment to slow down and reintroduce walking into your day can make a world of difference.
You could choose to really delve into it and match your walking routine to your body type in Ayurveda terms.
And here are some other quick tips on rekindling the connection with your own feet. See which ones are the most practical for you:
- Walk to the shops, instead of driving.
- At lunch time, go for a walk with a colleague instead of staying at your desk
- Use the stairs, not the lift
- Make it a family thing – weekly walks through the woods or in the neighbourhood.
- Escape on a walking holiday and bring back inspiration for change in your everyday routine.
So take a hike, walk the walk, or choose any other idiom you like. But whatever you do, don’t walk away from walking.
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