Experimented with yogic strolling, found tranquility unrivaled in result.
Hey there! I've got a new thing to try out – walking yoga. Sounds interesting, right? A yoga instructor named Sophia Drozd, who created the Yoga for Pain app, introduced me to it. This isn't your typical yoga or walking; it's a blend of the two, combining yoga principles and breathwork with the everyday activity of walking.
Instead of my usual headphones and music, I gave this a go, focusing on my breath and surroundings while I strolled. The main idea is to synchronize your breath with your steps and keep an eye on your body and the environment.
So, what did I find while practicing walking yoga?
- All that focus: syncing my breath with each step was a challenge, but in a good way! With my concentration focused, my mind didn't wander, and I didn't dwell on stressful thoughts like I often do.
- Mindfulness came naturally: once I had my steps and breathing in sync, I became more aware of my surroundings and how I felt in my body. The breathwork felt amazing, clearing the noise in my head and helping me reconnect with myself.
- Paying attention to the world: free from music and distractions, I noticed the beauty all around me. The sun was shining, birds were chirping, and I could smell spring in the air – even though it was the same day as yesterday, I hadn't noticed before.
- Slowed down pace: coordinating my breathing with my steps made me walk slower, but that was OK. I tried different breathing patterns but only this one seemed to work.
If you're interested in trying walking yoga, start small says Sophia Drozd. She recommends starting with five minutes a day in a familiar place and gradually increasing by five minutes every few days. Make it part of a larger walk if you want!
Regular practice of mindful walking can help reduce stress, boost your mood, and improve concentration and body awareness, according to Drozd. So, give it a shot and see the benefits for yourself!
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Sophia Drozd is the founder of Yoga for Pain (Y4P), a pioneering yoga app for chronic pain sufferers. She's a qualified yoga teacher and a lifelong practitioner, who lives with chronic pain due to fibromyalgia, scoliosis, and carpel tunnel syndrome. Her mission? To share Y4P, which uses yoga and breathwork to alleviate pain, making life more mobile and fulfilling for its users.
- Incorporating yoga principles and breathwork into my daily walks has been a refreshing addition to my health-and-wellness lifestyle, offering mindfulness, stress reduction, and improved body awareness.
- As I delve deeper into the realm of education-and-self-development, I've discovered that walking yoga can be an effective tool for personal growth, fostering better self-awareness and mental focus.
- Discovering the home-and-garden surroundings on my mindful walks fosters a sense of connection with nature, enhancing my overall lifestyle and promoting a more relaxing environment at home.
- Eager to share the benefits of a mindful practice, Sophia Drozd, the creator of the Yoga for Pain app, recommends incorporating walking yoga into a fitness-and-exercise routine for improved health and well-being.
