Meditation In Motion

The new way to meditate

I have never been much for meditation. I struggle to sit or lie still for any length of time and with 2 children it can be hard to find uninterrupted time to focus. Whenever I did find the time to meditate, I struggled to stay present and in the moment.

My mind would be off on a million different tangents, writing a shopping list, outlining project work, going over my To-Do list, worrying about my children and extended family, the list goes on.

I found it too difficult to bring my mind back to a calm state of being.

Enter “meditation in motion”

I recently started running again (one positive of covid). I have found it is like active meditation for me. My children know that when I go for a run or jump on the treadmill that it is “my” time. Unless it is a dire emergency they are not to disturb me!

For that blissful, uninterrupted time I only have to focus on myself, my breathing and putting one foot in front of the other. My mind becomes clearer, I am calmer and I have more patience.

I found being active was key to me achieving a meditative state of mind and helping to reduce my anxiety.

What is Meditation in Motion?

Mindworks states that mindfulness and awareness are what meditation is all about. They say:

• mindfulness is “fully and openly embracing the present moment”, and
• awareness is where we use “thoughts, emotions and sensations that arise in the mindstream as the actual focal point of meditation”.

Traditionally you lie or sit still and focus on your breathing when meditating. Breath in, breath out. Breath in, breath out. When thoughts enter your mind, you acknowledge them and then let them go.

Meditation in Motion essentially uses the same principles, but you are running! Win-win in my book. I am moving my body, increasing my fitness and improving my mental health all in a 30minute window!

Mindful running, meditation in motion, active meditation, whatever you wish to call it, I can honestly say that it has helped me in so many ways. Especially during lockdown where my emotions have been all over the place.

Focus on your body, your breathing and count!

When I am running I find I focus on my breathing and posture. I embrace the present moment, which is a fundamental principle of meditation.

As I run I concentrate on controlling my breath, on where my feet are landing and I count my steps. Each time my right foot strikes the footpath or the treadmill I count.

Yes, for some reason it ALWAYS has to be my right foot.

I go up to 50 and then start again. This number works for me, but a different number may work better for you. 100, 60, or 10. It doesn’t matter what you choose to count up to, all that number serves is to help you focus.

Contemplative running.

Some days I have so much on my mind it feels very crowded and overwhelmed up there. When running these thoughts come and go and gradually my mind calms. I can let go of anxiety and fear, I can run out my anger and frustration.

Other days my mind will latch onto one or other of those thoughts and I contemplate on them as I run. I find that I can sort through the tangled thoughts in my head by not concentrating on them too hard. As I run and think, inspiration may strike and my mind comes up with solutions or ideas.

By the end of my run, my mind is clearer and I am more focused.

Running into relaxation.

I always feel relaxed after a run. Not just physically, but emotionally too. I have more patience with my children and those little things don’t annoy me quite so much.

The focus on breathing and counting my footsteps, and the ability to let my thoughts flow out of me with movement creates a sense of tranquillity and calmness.

I always make sure I cool down and stretch. There is a fantastic yoga channel on YouTube that helps (Yoga with Adrienne if you are wondering). She has a 7-minute post-run video that is great for stretching and relaxing. If I can get through it before my children jump all over me, that is!

Running is meditation!

Running, for me, is active meditation. It allows my mind to unwind, work through problems and emotions and create a sense of serenity. I don’t contemplate anything for too long when running, instead. I simply focus on my breath and putting one foot in front of the other.

For that 30–60minute run it is just me and some precious uninterrupted time to focus on nothing but moving my body, breathing and the nature around me.

When I put aside the time to run, when I make it part of my plan for the day, I know that I am prioritising my own physical and mental health. Something that is more important today than it ever was.

What do you do for your physical and mental wellbeing?

Rachel Maree is a writer, mum and registered nurse. Bringing you the real truth to parenting, nursing and writing (even when it is downright ugly). You can read more articles or hire her to write amazing content for you — Rachel Maree.

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