practice walking Archives

Walking Wisdom

December 3, 2021 By Arlene Faulk

Most of us walk every day if we are able-bodied. We go from room to room in our house or apartment, take the dog for a walk and may walk to the grocery store or bus stop if we live in the middle of a large city. And some of us intentionally go for a long walk, to get in our 10,000 steps, to feel the fresh air, to physically feel better with intentional physical activity.

The thing is though, we tend to be oblivious about our walking because we’re thinking about something else. Our minds keep working on to-do lists, making an afternoon appointment, deciding what to fix for dinner this evening.

What am I thinking about when I’m walking? We need to think about walking when we’re walking.

We practice walking in every Tai Chi class. The key is to keep focusing on our leg that has 100% of our weight on it, feeling rooted like a tree. Then we pick up our other leg/foot and place the heel down and shift our weight to the center of the foot.

At this time of year when walks and streets may be wet and slippery, intentional Tai Chi walking can help our balance and prevent falls. Pay attention and be present when walking, in your home and when out for exercise and fresh air.

Walking on Ice

January 28, 2019 By Arlene Faulk

Walking – none of us can take it for granted when faced with snow, ice, sleet and slushy roads. We know we need to be careful on snow and ice, take it slowly so we do not fall. A Facebook posting, from Willow Tree Tai Chi in Australia, depicts the proper way to walk on ice. The picture and instructions are excellent — the first shows a man walking with his weight split between the front and back leg. The second shows focus on placing the front foot and leg down flat and then centering the weight firmly over that front leg. The center of gravity is right in the center and alignment of the entire body supports standing firm and upright. The post, with a little humor says the penguins have it right. They know how to walk properly on ice.

We practice walking in every Tai Chi class, focusing on the standing leg. We pick up our foot, place the heel down, then the foot, then shift weight to the standing leg. Then we follow with the other foot. We keep our feet and legs parallel, about hi–width apart, and practice, practice walking. This practice enhances our awareness of walking, helps us learn in our bodies where our weight and keeps proper alignment.

It is common to hear my students tell a story of how they prevented a fall, regained balance when going to the outside of a foot, because of their Tai Chi training and walking.

If you are one of my Tai Chi students, I know you are thinking about and practicing Tai Chi walking when you are outside on the ice and snow. If you are not a current student, take a minute or two to try focused walking inside so you get the hang of it. Practice helps us be more mindful when we are walking. It seems one of the biggest reasons we fall is that we are not thinking about our walking. Our mind is elsewhere, not in the present. On these cold, wintery, slippery days, let us promise ourselves to focus our attention on our walking.

Focus on Walking

August 9, 2018 By Arlene Faulk

In answering computer security questions, I often list my favorite summer physical activity as “walking”. I think that’s probably a common answer. Many of us walk every day and in the city it is my most used form of transportation, getting from one place to another. Plus, walking doesn’t require any special equipment, a bat or ball, a boat or an airplane ticket. Weather is nice. We go out for a walk. Some of us even track how many steps we go each day. It becomes a competitive activity, with ourselves.

This afternoon as I walked seven blocks to teach my Tai Chi class, I became very aware of my walking, each step along the way. It slowed me down. I became aware of my weight shifting, picking up each leg to take another step forward. I was filled with gratitude, to have the capacity and ability to walk.

I do not take that for granted, because I have completely lost my ability to walk, lost the ability to take a step forward. Many years ago I had to basically start over, learn to walk again with the Tai Chi walk, placing my hand against a wall to stabilize me. I teach that walk each week in class, knowing the principles within can improve each person’s walking, regardless of his or her starting point.

Yes, I am grateful to be able to walk. I hope you, too, will take a moment to reflect and be grateful for walking. Think about that as you head down the street tomorrow, walk to your car, get on a bus or climb a step. We should never take it for granted.