Move Your Way to Mindfulness

Meditation—and the mindfulness that this ancient practice inspires—continues to make headlines as a tool for healing, peace, and even success in business. But not everyone wants to sit quietly and observe the breath and passing thoughts in order to gain the benefits of mindfulness. If a sitting meditation is not for you, try a moving meditation practice instead.

What Is Mindfulness – And Why Does It Matter?

Mindfulness is today’s hot buzzword – a strategy for achieving everything from weight loss to better grades and landing a new client. To be “mindful” is simply to be fully engaged with the current moment, aware of each movement and sensation without attaching meaning to them. In that way, practitioners say, it’s possible to reduce the stress that’s attached to worries about the past or the future and become more open to the world.

For many people, the way to mindfulness is through a traditional meditation practice – spending anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more, sitting quietly while breathing deeply and allowing thoughts to simply drift by without attaching any meaning to them. For some, though, this kind of meditation doesn’t foster mindfulness and calmness – it feels boring and triggers tension and discomfort, rather than peace.

Movement Meditation Puts Mindfulness In Every Move

Movement meditation blends mindfulness with physical activity, with benefits for both body and mind. How is movement meditation different from simply moving? The key, practitioners say, is Intention and attention. Here are a few ways to practice mindfulness through motion.

Flow Sequences — With their slow, graceful movements, yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong are the best-known forms of moving meditation. These kinds of “flow” sequences create a mindfulness practice that offers the same benefits as a traditional meditation session.

Walking — Slow, purposeful walking while focusing attention on every step and all your surroundings can be a meditative practice, too. Pay attention to your breath with each movement and observe everything you see and feel.

Dance — Movement to music engages the brain and the body in many ways. Whether freestyle or carefully choreographed, dancing keeps attention in the present moment.

Exercise — From cycling to swimming to working out with weights, any kind of exercise or workout routine can become a movement meditation that fosters mindfulness and clear focus.

Everyday Activities — Gardening, house chores, and even washing dishes can be transformed into movement meditations by simply bringing focused attention to what you’re doing. Traditional meditation is only one way to bring the benefits of mindfulness into your life. With movement meditation, quieting the “monkey mind” is as easy as a walk in the park.

If you are looking for a community of like-minded founders, and dynamic leaders committed to longevity and proactive self-care, consider joining our new all-inclusive Beautiful Souls + Brilliant Minds program facilitated by a professional ICF-credentialed coach and Chopra Center certified instructor in Primordial Sound Meditation.

Unsure if this program is for you? Feel free to book your free discovery consultation to discuss your goals.