Are you an outdoorsy person? I would venture to say that, when the weather is nice,
most people gravitate to the outdoors; I know I do. I especially enjoy it when the sun is in full spectrum. Outdoors is one of my favorite places to be: sipping tea, walking, hiking, or riding my bike, often with a book along for the ride – in case I find a quiet spot to read.
It’s almost as though the outdoors whispers to us, calling us to join in the fun. Cyclists, golfers, runners, joggers, and walkers – people of all ages and sizes – have the outdoors as their preferred place to “move and groove”.
One day when my colleague, Katherine (who’s an amateur photographer), said, “Let’s go to Mount Diablo and take photos!” I jumped at the idea. Mount Diablo, in Danville, CA, is a
volcano right in our backyard that draws people of all ages. Many challenge themselves to climb the mountain on their bikes. Some even run at dawn to drink in the sunrise while doing some cardio.
So, Katherine and I drove to Mount Diablo one Sunday afternoon; it was the hottest day in early October. After parking the SUV on the side of the road, we made our way across the road to the hill next to us. Nothing was visible – other than a grounded log – and just beyond that log, an open golden land that offered an easy run or hike to the top.
During this picture-taking session, I took my shoes off and strolled, feeling the dry grass tickle the soles of my feet. Immediately, I felt disengaged from the day’s rush and a deep sense of connection to the earth.
Sensations of being balanced, solid, grounded, and connected flooded my body and spirit as I traversed this hill. The scene was one of quiet majesty. With each step, I noticed holes out of which a snake could easily poke its head. Still, that didn’t faze me because I was really
enjoying the direct connection to the earth. I walked on – barefoot and optimistically cautious. (You should always exercise caution when walking barefoot in Nature; still, it’s worth trying!)
A walk in Nature can be an opportunity to reconnect with your inner self, to feel new things, and to witness aspects of our outer world we typically miss as we keep up the frenetic pace life seems to demand of us. One of the benefits of taking this type of walk is that, when you can’t be on the trail or the mountain, you can call to yourself your previous outdoor experiences in the comfort of your home. Simply close your eyes or look into the middle distance and find something to focus on. As you notice your breath, see what images come up from your last foray into Nature.
Next time you get a massage, you can try a visualization meditation that recalls the last time you enjoyed a nature walk. The self-care that is meditation “marries” well with the self-care that is massage, enhancing the healing of body and mind.
Whether starting a meditation exercise or a massage session, the key to success is to set your intention. This action – setting your intention – is as simple as asking yourself, “What do I want to get out of this experience?” That way, you are immersing your whole self in the experience – solidifying the connections between your mind and body and delivering the best self-care you can.
Enjoy your Nature’s Walk!
