Walk Therapy

Walking meditation is a technique of mindfulness used in ancient and modern forms of Theravada and Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and Yoga. It locates the mind in the immediate environment using sensory inputs to create consciousness of one's surroundings and one's role in them.

Just Be

All of modern motivation, communication, inspiration pushes you to change. Change can only come when you accept who you are, where you are, why you are, when you are, and how you are. Without this basis, the push to change can become frustrating. Walking meditation allows you to use the resources you have without regret and without wishful thinking You are where you are for a reason and everything in your life has brought you to this point. Savour it all.

Breathe

Like many forms of meditation, walking meditations focus on the breath. It also focuses on utilising the five senses. In terms of psychotherapy, we use positive withdrawal to step away from anxieties and find an empowering mental space. This technique also uses grounding to locate you in your here and now. In terms of spirit engagement, meditation is not something you do, it its what happens when you stop trying to do everything else. In mind, body, spirit, you are thus integrated.

Why Women?

Women rarely take time out for self care. Morning walks are consumed by scheduling, prep for oneself and others, housework, chores, long commutes, etc etc. Take 45 mins to 1 hour out when you can for unmitigated self care. Allow your thoughts to come at you, watch yourself unfurl, and disentangle the inside of your head. Walking serves multiple purposes, movement keeps you aware of your body, allowing for mind+body+spirit integration. It pulls you out of your lethargy (against self care) and helps you reclaim a tangible physical space around you.

How group walking works

Group sessions are meant to connect you with the Buddhist ideal of the sangha - people like you who are also on their individual journeys. The sangha is a powerful tool for collective progress. You do not interact with them. Nor they with you until the event is over. A group session is a silent walk in which guided meditation will allow you to process sights and sounds and what's going on inside your mind. Don't worry too much about it though, 94% of all communication is non verbal. And sure, you can ask questions if you need to. Just try to stick to speaking with the group leader rather than chatting with a friend. Remember that chatting disturbs the meditations of other members of the group. Your work and process is inward. And yet, here you are, at once individual on your path and together in your struggle.

Come as you are

Weekend group slots allow you to walk with the collective that motivates and boosts you. On individual slots you could also book an early morning, middle of the morning, lunch time or evening slot, depending on your schedule or need. Individual walks are designed one on one for the client. Walk in your own environment, at your own pace, with your own needs. Take in your surroundings and use them to arrive at acceptance, and grounding which brings in the balance in your perspective, that will allow for change. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes.

Included in cost

We bring bottles of water and a fruit for each member.

What it's not

It's not an exercise group so don't wear your Fitbit or check your weight before and after. It's not a meet up either so we won't be sitting down and catching up on each other's lives. It's also not an errand run, so don't bring grocery lists or shopping bags hoping to dart out. Come with your hands free to sense the world around you, a commitment to the hour, and an open mind.

A note about the venue:

We meet at prominent locations at each venue but move on a route. One reason is to use the environment as it presents itself to us, but also to avoid disturbing other walkers, joggers and runners. Locations we function at are: Horniman Circle, Fort, Yeoor Hills, Thane, Jogger's Park Bandra, Shivaji Park, Dadar, and Aarey Colony, Goregaon.

Led by:

Gayatri Jayaraman has been a senior journalist in the Indian media for over 20 years with experience and insight into the socio-economic and cultural lives of people. Her work has appeared in Mint Lounge, Hindustan Times, India Today and in an award winning anthology of the literary magazine Out of Print, amongst others. She is the author of Who Me, Poor? (Bloomsbury India) based on an essay that went viral for Buzzfeed. Her forthcoming books include Who Me, Feminist? (Bloomsbury India) and Diary of a Vipassana Novice (Hachette India). She has a diploma in Indian Culture and Spirituality, a Master's in English Literature, a Postgraduate diploma in Journalism, is training as a counsellor at XICP Mumbai and is a regular Vipassana meditator. She uses emotive and humanistic psychology in her counselling.

She founded Shamah | शम:, a mind+body+spirit counselling practice, in 2020.