WALKING YOGA: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Walking yoga is the practice of adopting simple yoga techniques like breathwork, meditation and mindfulness to enrich your regular stroll.

Walking yoga combines the physical benefits of walking and the calm focus of yoga. If this practice appeals to you, read on for everything you need to know about the practice.

What is walking yoga?

According to yoga teacher Sophia Drozd, the founder of the Yoga 4 Pain app (www.yogaforpainapp.com/), the technique began in the 1970s as a walking meditation, where walkers synced their breath to their steps and said mantras, but it has since grown to include certain yoga poses while walking.

"Walking yoga, at the very least, encourages you to pay attention to your surroundings, your senses, how the walk feels in your body, and to synchronise your breathing," she explains. "It helps you walk mindfully, enjoying the little things and finding happiness in the details. Additionally, you can advance your practice by adding in some yoga poses that help your body stay flexible and ease any tension that may arise while you walk."

What are the benefits?

Mentally, the benefits include reduced stress and anxiety, improved concentration, a positive mood boost and enhanced mindfulness.

The yoga expert continues, "Physically, the benefits are muscle strength, help with weight management, improved cardiovascular health, increased flexibility and mobility, as well as helping to reduce pain and stiffness."

How do I begin?

For beginners, Sophia recommends picking a short walk that you know well so you don't get distracted.

"Start small, a short walk, perhaps one you have done before or know well. So you can focus more on your body and the sensations of how the walk feels first. This is going to be really beneficial when you synchronise your breath to the movement of walking," she says.

Is walking yoga worth a try?

"Yes; it gets you out in nature, you are moving with more mindfulness and kindness to your body. Having greater awareness of how you're moving and how it feels is going to lower the risk of injury," the yoga teacher states.

"If you're more of a walker than a yogi, it's going to improve your breathing and help create space in the mind, and if you're more of a yogi than a walker, it's a nice alternative to getting off the mat."

However, this practice may not be a great option for those who struggle with motion sickness or vertigo.

2025-02-11T12:38:12Z