Mindful Walking

(Elementary School - High School)

Let's do a Mindful Walking exercise!

Go outside with your student and invite them to explore walking with you in a different way. Talking with your student about how we often walk- without noticing where or how we are walking. We can practice mindfulness by slowing down, and paying attention to the movements in our bodies with each step as we walk. Whether we're on the way somewhere or not!

Let's begin by walking slowly, noticing how each step moves us- how the weight shifts from the heel, rolls forward across the sole to the ball of the foot and the toes…
Noticing how the rest of the body moves in response to this motion- the knee and ankle bending, the body shifting forward as we roll forward on each foot.
The back foot lifts as we roll forward, and then swings forward to continue walking.

Shifting attention to noticing our surroundings, the air around our bodies, the weather on our skin, the feel of clothing as we move.

How does it feel to pay attention in this way?
Did you notice anything new about your body or environment as we walked mindfully?