‘I’d like to learn how to meditate. I know it’d be good for me, but I can’t sit still for more than 2 minutes.” – Most People I Know

There’s a common misconception that meditation is a fixed formula – complete with it’s own non negotiable position (spine erect, legs in lotus) and associated paraphernalia (mudras, mala beads and meditation pillows). Nonsense. There are as many ways to meditate as there are ways to workout.

Now, it goes without saying i’m a big fan of the sitting-still-with-hands-in-mudra variety of meditation. But, another one of my favourite ways to meditate- and one that works really well for people who have ants in their pants or feel intimidated by meditation- is to meditate in motion. Yep. In. Motion.

Meditation- or mindfulness as it’s also known- is simply the capacity to be aware of the present moment, to pay attention. The object of your mindfulness can be anything. So, in a dynamic context, meditation is simply focusing our energy and our attention solely on our body, breathe and movement. Viewed from this perspective, exercise becomes meditation in motion.

This is good news for all you ‘can’t-sit-still’ would-be meditators. For many of us, conscious movement is more accessible then sitting still. It’s the gateway meditation – likely to lead you down the path to more formal meditation practices. It certainly did for me.

Added bonus of mindful movement: you get the combined benefits of exercise and meditation – enhancing your wellbeing not only physically but mentally and spiritually as well. Yep, you’re ticking two boxes at once, but also, moving the body and focusing the mind at the same time are mutually beneficial. In other words, you get a clear, focused mind that’s just doing one thing at a time! Plus, you get more bang for your exercise buck by focusing your energy and intentions on what you’d like to achieve, be it an energy boost, increased strength, reduced stress and anxiety,  or even shedding excess weight.

Over the following weeks I’ll be taking you on a guided tour of mindful movement. An easy-to-follow fitness recipe that will take you from self-flagellating, punishing workout regimes to mindfulness and meditation in motion.

Next week I’ll strip down and dive into the first Wabi-Sabi Well strategy in WSW’s Mindful Movement Series- Bare Attention. Stay close by!

In the meantime, get your daily dose of movement medicine with the holistic workouts available from the shop