The Walk of Life
EVER get tired working out? Of course, you do, like the rest of us mortals. How about walking up and down a hill? Sure, why not, we are all creatures of biodegradable materials.
A couple of months ago, I was trekking up and down a forest recreation area in Melbourne, Australia. It was one of Australia's finest and it is called Otway national park.
It was the beginning of spring and the temperature hovered around the low 60s. I love climate like that. We were in a group of eight. The walk took us about 40 minutes one way and then up a shaky metalled watch tower about 45 metres up at 90 degree angle.
On the way back, I was huffing and puffing, and I thought I was one of the fittest among the group. Actually, I wanted to soak in all the sights and sounds of the forest. I love nature but the others were in a hurry to get back. Wet blankets, I thought.
So like all macho guys, I tried to pick up pace and catch up the the runaway pack. Among them was this overweight, chain-smoking woman in her 30s. One look at her, and anyone would have thought she will tire out after 100 metres of walking on a level playing field.
Not this one. She was walking, walking and walking. I was at little surprised at first and then when I couldn't catch up with her, I was totally shocked. I don't know whether I was shocked that I was so "unfit" or shocked that she beat me to the finishing line.
Since she was an old chum of mine, I asked her where did all that stamina come from. In a one-word reply, she said: "Yoga". "Focus on something and then just proceed without a second thought," was her second reply.
For some time now, I realise that when you are focusing on something in a distance while you are out for a walk, regardless of the incline, you tend not to get tired. But I had forgotten all about this until this woman jolted my memory.
Qigong walking is something like that. Next time, when you are out for a long walk on a hill or a big recreation park, try this. Focus on something in the far distance, be totally absorbed in it, hold that vision in your mind, and just walk towards it.
The mind then takes out and your legs will function without you worrying about how tired your thigh muscles will become. I have tried this technique on several occasions, and I have found out that when your focus on something in the distance while you exercise, in this case, walking, you won't feel tired, or not that tired.
It is one of those neat tricks that has its foundation built centuries ago in China. Peasants and farmers had to walk long distances to get to their destinations and focusing on the mountain top miles away helped them to cover the long distance with the minimal amount of effort.
Qigong is also about using your mind to control your body. Once you know all the right buttons to push, you will be on your way, and it won't cost your much in terms of energy.
Qigong walking is one of the most delightful exercises ever devised for outdoors. It energises your human form, revitalises your mind, and gladdens the heart. By the time, you have covered the entire circuit, you will feel recharged like a powerful dynamo. All it takes is practice.
A couple of months ago, I was trekking up and down a forest recreation area in Melbourne, Australia. It was one of Australia's finest and it is called Otway national park.
It was the beginning of spring and the temperature hovered around the low 60s. I love climate like that. We were in a group of eight. The walk took us about 40 minutes one way and then up a shaky metalled watch tower about 45 metres up at 90 degree angle.
On the way back, I was huffing and puffing, and I thought I was one of the fittest among the group. Actually, I wanted to soak in all the sights and sounds of the forest. I love nature but the others were in a hurry to get back. Wet blankets, I thought.
So like all macho guys, I tried to pick up pace and catch up the the runaway pack. Among them was this overweight, chain-smoking woman in her 30s. One look at her, and anyone would have thought she will tire out after 100 metres of walking on a level playing field.
Not this one. She was walking, walking and walking. I was at little surprised at first and then when I couldn't catch up with her, I was totally shocked. I don't know whether I was shocked that I was so "unfit" or shocked that she beat me to the finishing line.
Since she was an old chum of mine, I asked her where did all that stamina come from. In a one-word reply, she said: "Yoga". "Focus on something and then just proceed without a second thought," was her second reply.
For some time now, I realise that when you are focusing on something in a distance while you are out for a walk, regardless of the incline, you tend not to get tired. But I had forgotten all about this until this woman jolted my memory.
Qigong walking is something like that. Next time, when you are out for a long walk on a hill or a big recreation park, try this. Focus on something in the far distance, be totally absorbed in it, hold that vision in your mind, and just walk towards it.
The mind then takes out and your legs will function without you worrying about how tired your thigh muscles will become. I have tried this technique on several occasions, and I have found out that when your focus on something in the distance while you exercise, in this case, walking, you won't feel tired, or not that tired.
It is one of those neat tricks that has its foundation built centuries ago in China. Peasants and farmers had to walk long distances to get to their destinations and focusing on the mountain top miles away helped them to cover the long distance with the minimal amount of effort.
Qigong is also about using your mind to control your body. Once you know all the right buttons to push, you will be on your way, and it won't cost your much in terms of energy.
Qigong walking is one of the most delightful exercises ever devised for outdoors. It energises your human form, revitalises your mind, and gladdens the heart. By the time, you have covered the entire circuit, you will feel recharged like a powerful dynamo. All it takes is practice.
posted by fillip at 1:55 PM
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