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Thursday, April 24, 2014

3 Ways to Make Your Run a Moving Meditation

Solo running is a form of meditation for me. A chance to be my best self, release my worries, breathe in the present moment, and connect to my spirituality. My solo runs are meditations in motion.

After a solo run I feel energized, refreshed, more positive, and present.  Use your time in your running shoes as you do your time on the yoga mat--as a chance to breathe, to practice self-love, and connect to the world around you. I guarantee, you will NOT regret using your run as a moving meditation.



Three Tricks to Transform Your Run Into A Moving Meditation:

1. DITCH THE MUSIC.
I know this may be hard for many of you, but to really connect to the now--you need to shut of the tunes. Leave the music at home.

Turning off the music allows you to tune into to YOU. Listen to your breath as you inhale and exhale. Hear the birds chirping around you, cars honking, cyclists passing you, and the buzz of life around you.  Music is great but it can take you away from the present moment and make you less aware of your surroundings. Let your breathe and the noise around you be the music to move you along.

2. RUN SOMEWHERE SCENIC.

View from a run in St. Petersburg, Florida
Even if you live in the middle of a crowded city, try to get outside and run somewhere pretty. When I lived in Manhattan, I did all my runs in Central Park. In Tampa, I run along the water on Bayshore Boulevard.

Find somewhere pretty to run that makes you feel good. The treadmill is fine for rainy days, but when the weather is nice--get outside, run somewhere beautiful, and appreciate the great views around you. Even if it's just a neighborhood filled with houses, get outside and appreciate the houses as you run by. No matter if you run the same route every single day, there is always something different to appreciate about it. Feel the air on your skin as you run, the sun beating down (or clouds covering the sun), and experience the wonder that is the great outdoors.

3. SMILE WHILE YOU RUN.


Have you ever tried smiling while you run? I can't stop! When I run, I feel so excited that I literally am ALWAYS smiling--no matter how hard I'm pushing or how fast I'm going. I feel more positive, more connected to the universe, and better able to love every aspect of my run with a smile on my face. (Even if it's a long run and I'm feeling tired or cranky!)

Try a smile. Keep it on your face for your entire run. Enjoy! :D

BONUS: SING WHILE YOU RUN. (Because that's even better than smiling.)

I dare you! :)

What are your favorite ways to turn your run into a meditation in motion? 
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5 comments:

  1. MomMavenApril 24, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    Great tips, I feel so much better after I run and I do sing while I run. My run mix is all worship music and I worship the whole time I am running. If I ditch the music I lose focus and don't enjoy my run at all.

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  2. ArtsnarkApril 24, 2014 at 9:39 AM

    Excellent tips! When I used to run it was for the health of my mind & body. Somehow I found that repeating the 14th century Samurai Creed was perfect for my rhythm and cleared my head of chatter. If you are not familiar with it, a version is here: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/05/a-buddhist-poem-via-an-anonymous-samurai/

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  3. Heidi @ IdlehideApril 24, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    You take nice race photos:) I always look like I'm on the verge of death haha:P I ditch the music all the time, I love just getting out there for a run.

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  4. UnknownApril 24, 2014 at 10:49 AM

    Hey, I think I know that Pelican!

    Lora, great article. I love your pictures. You look so joyous in them! Beautiful connection to the Divine. Although I don't run I do walk. A lot of the time I perform Mantra Japa (repetition of sacred syllables). I also like to stop somewhere scenic and fall into a seated meditation. There is no better place to feel a part of the sea than BY the sea! Happy Moving Meditation! Love!

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  5. LarissaApril 25, 2014 at 11:13 AM

    I would add leaving the gps at home, too. Not worrying about distance or pace is very freeing for me (and I don't do it as often as I should!). Love the idea of meditation in motion or moving meditation. I should be more mindful on my walks to and from work as well.

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