The way our perception of our environment changes as we slow our perambulation is quite extraordinary.
Walk normally around the place at your normal, brisk speed for a minute and then carefully slow down to half one's speed for a minute. Slow down again to half of that speed for a minute and move your arms slowly too. Reflect the movements you see around you, like the breezes in the leaves, the swaying branches, and the waves on the shore.
Now return to one's normal, brisk speed and note the difference in your perceptions of your environment. Walking normally around the place at a brisk speed for a minute and then carefully slow down to half one's normal speed for a minute. Then slow down again to half of that speed for a minute and then half again. So it is 1, then 1/2 and then 1/4 and then 1/8 speeds and notice what is happening to one's perception, both of oneself and of ones surrounds.
Find your relaxed erect poise. Find your balance and put all your weight into one leg.
Slowly raise the other foot, but keep the toe in contact with the ground for balance.
Become aware of one's balance and slowly decide where to place this foot, lift it fully, take a step and place it on the earth. Place the heel down first and roll the foot down into the group, becoming aware of making full contact.
Now very slowly, shift your weight from the bearing foot to the one you have just placed down until all your weight is shifted over to this foot.
Now repeat the same exercise with the other foot.
Repeat several times and play with placing your foot in front of you, behind, to the side.
Notice whether you also wish to move your arms in this exercise. Notice whether the balance is better in one leg than the other. Notice what happens to your sense and perceptions of the world around you.
After a few steps, stop.
Extra exercises:
Stillness
Find your relaxed erect poise. Imagine a cord holds up the head to the sky. Knees very slightly bent and arms hanging gently with wrists ready. Be aware and present simply by looking slightly down at a plant, a stone, a tree, a river, etc. Just relax and be aware of the nature you have chosen or who has chosen you, bring your full attention and awareness to this and just be still.
Nature Resonance Medicine – Becoming aware of stillness
Earthing
Walk on the Earth with bare feet if you can. Earthing like this is really very good for our health in many ways. Slow walking, pouring the weight slowly from one leg into the other. With care, lay down your heel and feel the connection with Earth, your roots going down Notice you may see things around you clearer now, plants, insects.
Nature Resonance Medicine – Becoming aware of one's surroundings
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