“Meditation” For People That Hate Sitting Still
If you were always the kid on the right, this "meditation" could work for you
As I sit here in my 1 bedroom apartment in Los Angeles, California, I hear people in the building across from mine screaming at each other in a language I don’t understand. Out the window across from that one, I hear jackhammers tearing apart the street, blocking off coveted parking spaces.
Oh wait, someone just started playing bongos.
Awesome.
In a world where there just doesn’t seem to be silence anymore, how can you find your peace?
I’ve never been an Om person. I’d rather be moving: lifting heavy things and sprinting and getting s**t done! I love yoga, and I can really get into the calm state of mind in that studio, but meditating on my own is something I’ve never given much effort because I’m just not interested.
That said, this will not be a post on meditation. This will be a post for people that can’t stop moving… so this is a post for me, basically. :)
Moving meditation is something that I’ve discovered by accident. I didn’t read a book on it. In fact, I tried, but ended up putting it down because it was boring.
So here’s my take on moving meditation and how it helps me get centered and calm when I just want to yell out the window, “Shut the f**k up!”
Run Om, Charlie! Run as fast as you can!
Running is my form of meditation.
I run to think. I run to breathe.
I run because I don’t feel like I’m wasting time doing it, which is what seems to consume my mind when I try to sit in one spot for any length of time and meditate.
If I’m feeling disoriented, anxious, angry, or any other negative emotion, I go out on my usual 3.2 mile loop in my neighborhood with these things in mind:
•If you feel like you’re working hard, you’re going too fast (stole this from Born To Run).
•Breathe. Belly-expanding, deep breaths.
•Remember to look at your surroundings. Take in the sun. Take in people’s smiles when they pass you by. Take in the excitement of the dogs as they go out on their morning walks. NOTICE what you take for granted every day, become aware of the effect it has on you, and express gratitude for it.
•Sing along. Music helps me relax instantly. Mouthing the words helps me enjoy each moment as it comes, instead of worrying about what I still need to do when I get home.
I run away to come back to myself more positive, present, and calm than when I left.
Re-center yourself. Yes you.
You can do this form of meditation with any aerobic activity (read: slower-paced workouts only- no sprints or fast, heavy lifts). You should be breathing fairly easily. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being sitting and 10 being sprinting from a bear, you should be between 4 and 7 for this workout.
Don’t run? Walk. Icy outside? Hop on an elliptical at the gym. No gym membership? Pick up a sponge and start cleaning the house!
There is no reason why you can’t try this today. Give it a shot! Let me know how it works for you!
The noises have calmed down quite a bit now and I don’t quite feel like screaming anyone’s ear off at this very moment. I credit the run I went on this morning for saving that poor hippie’s life across the way.
Are you the type of personality that would benefit from this too? Try it out and let me know how you like it in the comments below!
Do you already meditate the traditional way? I’d love to hear your take on moving meditation. Do you think you’d have trouble concentrating? Do you think you’d be stronger at this exercise because of your current meditation practice?
That’s something I found on accident when I was in my running phase. I enjoyed the sound of my foot hitting the ground. I ran with no music. I just listened to my breathing. It was really relaxing. I looked forward to those long runs every Sunday mornings! I look forward to the weather cooling down here so I can get back into those nice cool morning runs!
Running phase?! Why no running now? How hot is it really in the morning there? I’m not going to let you off the hook here, Benny! ;p
But seriously, I’m glad you could use this form of “meditation” too. It’s really helpful for those of us that want to feel productive at all times of the day!
Amy, as a om person (lol) I can definitely appreciate running meditation:) The practical effects of meditation are 1) calmness 2) concentration 3) focus 4) awareness. You seem to be getting all of that from your run – are you going to lead the new running meditation phenomena:) Walking meditation I’ve heard of but you’re the first I’ve heard talking about running meditation!
I was waiting for your comment, Vishnu! I knew you’d get a kick out of the “Om person” bit!
I’d be happy to lead the running meditation phenomena, but I already know a few people that do it!
Even with walking meditation I feel antsy- running takes all the anxiety out.
I just read an article somewhere of how it’s getting harder for us to record some intricate sounds in nature due to sounds from civilization creeping in where it used to be completely silent.
I like how, early in the article you set the tone, then jump right in to providing those quick, practical tips and reminders on how to get it done right.
My favorite line is: “NOTICE what you take for granted every day, become aware of the effect it has on you, and express gratitude for it.”
And “I run away to come back to myself more positive, present, and calm than when I left.”
The image of all those arrows pointing in every direction paints a vivid reflection of my thought process and patterns these days!
Thanks, Rick!
It is scary how noisy and distracting our world is getting. I’ve come to expect it living in a big city, but even when I go to visit my parents in the suburbs, I find it harder and harder to find that silence.
Like you, I subscribe to the school of meditation of doing what works for me and you’ve so beautifully described what it helps you achieve.
It took me years to be able to just sit and I still prefer to walk for my meditations. I’m really lucky to be able to find the silence that Rick was mentioning, I live deep in the Scottish countryside and the birds, sheep and cows all provide their own melodic (usually) accompaniments!
That sounds lovely, Jackie! You don’t even need music with the birds singing!
I think that’s the key to life- do what works for you.
I definitely enjoy running meditations. But my joints only let me run a couple of times a week and the other days find me at the gym – which I don’t find to be a meditative space at all. I also love walking meditations.
But, I have to say great as these moving meditations are – I still find my mind jumping all over the place. I’m working to develop a discipline for a sitting meditation practice to see what happens with that.
Meanwhile – I agree. A moving meditation is a good way to clear the head and improve one’s attitude.
Hey Sarah! Welcome to the site!
Hey, more power to you for really putting effort into a sitting meditation practice! I just gave it up and found another way!
I understand where you’re coming from with the joints. I don’t think that running is a sport for everyone. You know what you should try (and I think I’ll try it too)? SWIMMING meditation. I’ve been meaning to start swimming more often and I’m sure once I get better at it, I’ll be able to find a rhythm, just like with running. Walking meditations are great, too!
Thanks for stopping by!