Breathwalking Adds Benefits T
his kundalini yoga breathing technique, when combined with a brisk walking program, changes the basic rhythms of the body, even at cellular levels, according to the Kundalini Research Institute, in Santa Cruz, New Mexico. Breathwalking, a particular combination of breathing and walking, improves several brain functions, according to research the institute conducted with the University of Arizona. Breathwalking, compared to normal walking, increases executive function by as much as 80 percent and improves cognitive function, judgment and mental focus. Other findings by the institute are that breathwalking improves vision, including depth of field and clarity of detail, as well as muscle balance and heart function. “If aerobic exercise resembles the pure power of a single frequency emanating from a strong radio station, then breathwalking looks like many frequencies mixed into complex and richly textured patterns. One is a tone; the others add melody, chords and harmonies. It is like comparing loud noise to sophisticated music,” notes the organization’s website.
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How to Do It Wave breath: Inhale steadily through the nose to the count of four while taking four steps, exhale through the mouth to a count of four while taking another four steps. Stair breath: Make four distinct inhalations through the nose to a count of four while taking four steps; and then exhale through the mouth in four sharp exhalations while taking another four steps. Dr. Jim Nicolai, who is affiliated with the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, in Tucson, has created a helpful instructional video at Tinyurl.com/HowToBreathwalk.
Walking Moais Build Community as Well as Health This Blue Zones Project Organizes Group Walks with the Added Benefit of Exposure to Nature
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hile the health benefits of regular brisk walking— maintaining a healthy weight, preventing or managing conditions such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, strengthening bones and muscles and improving mood, as well as balance and coordination—are well recognized. Less light has been shed on the social benefits of walking in a group with friends, neighbors or work colleagues. According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals that walk together in a group receive added benefits such as accountability, motivation, safety, socialization and support, which help them to stick to health and fitness goals. Local residents will be able to realize these benefits thanks to the Blue Zones Project, Walking Moai, which is launching organized group walks with the added benefit of exposure to nature. Moai (pronounced mow-eye) is a concept from Okinawa, Japan, which roughly means meeting for a common purpose. Walking moais consisting of five to eight people that meet weekly for at least 10 weeks can help Southwest Floridians to create strong, healthy, committed social networks, in addition to giving people a reason to explore and discover their community parks on foot. Upcoming Naples events include a Walking Moai at Immokalee Community Park from 9 to 10:30 a.m., January 6; a Walking Moai at North Collier Regional Park from 6 to 7:30 p.m., January 11; and a Walking Moai at Sugden Park from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., January 18.
For more information on the launch of Moai Walking, visit SouthwestFlorida.BlueZonesProject.com. January 2018
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