Autumn weather is usually pleasant and mild— making it a great time to practice yoga outdoors. After your asana, taking a walk is one way that you can welcome mindful awareness. It’s no secret that when our thoughts are racing, we can feel stressed. Walking outdoors can help you restore balance between your mind and body. The rhythm of walking can help you clear your mind, order your thoughts, and bring awareness to the present. It can even aid in unlocking creativity or helping you see how to overcome obstacles.
In addition to helping balance the connection between your mind, body, and spirit (in Sanskrit: the purusha and prakriti) here are 10 physical benefits of walking.
- It could help improve your mood, help you feel relaxed, or lower your blood pressure.
- You may experience better sleep.
- It could help your immunity.
- When you walk, the cadence between your right- and left-body can benefit your brain.
- You could feel less hungry, which may be beneficial if you are trying to lose weight.
- Walking has been proven to be good for your heart.
- It may help you maintain bone density.
- As you age, walking can help you keep a broader range of motion than if you are sedentary.
- It may help you avoid developing varicose veins.
- Walking and sharing thoughts with a friend (4-legged or 2-legged!) can also help us feel more connected to those we love!