Name Ashley Welch

Age 32

Why I Tried It To try a new way to meditate

Im no stranger to meditation, though I cant say it always comes easily to me. Ive been a practitioner of yoga for many years, and while I definitely savor the tranquility that comes with final Savasana, it is the moving meditation of going through the poses that keeps me coming back. Nothing beats the feeling of being on my mat, flowing from one asana to another in an almost trancelike state, fully present and aware of my breath and bodys movement. Its taught me to slow down and notice every sensation going through me and to appreciate all my body does for me.

But COVID-19 restrictions have kept me out of the studio, and virtual yoga classes dont always cut it for me. Trying to find an hour of Zen in the same small space where I work and sleep just isnt as peaceful or appealing. I will occasionally listen to a guided meditation on YouTube while in the bath or just before bed, but I often find it difficult to sit still and meditate. Thats why I loved the idea of a walking meditation. As the ongoing pandemic has limited most of my regular activities, I already take frequent walks these days to get out of my apartment and into the fresh air. And as I know from my experience with yoga, my favorite way to meditate is to do so while moving.

MindTravel is an experiential music company founded by composer and musician Murray Hidary. The company offers ticketed live events conducted both virtually and in person (although in-person events are not currently taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic), as well as digital music and meditation products that focus on sleep, inspiration, creativity, and more. Most people use MindTravel in the comfort of their own homes, or, in the case of the Silent Walking Meditations, by walking safely in their neighborhoods and local parks.

Pricing for MindTravel experiences vary. Ticketed/live events cost between $15 to $30, while digital music and meditation products range from $3.99 to $23 per product, with discounted monthly and yearly subscriptions available.

MindTravel offers a free 20-minute Silent Walking Meditation and a $17 expansion pack that includes a 30-minute and a 60-minute guided walk.

My first experience with MindTravel was the 60-minute Silent Walking Meditation. A few days later, I tried the shorter, 30-minute walk. Both are very similar, with the 30-minute walk basically a condensed version of the longer one.

I began my first walk on a sunny day and hit play on the meditation track as soon as I left my apartment, which, for me, was a mistake. I live right off a busy street, and the noise of cars whizzing by made it too difficult to concentrate. I decided to pause the recording and wait until I was in a less populated area to switch it back on. While the goal of the meditation isnt to go anywhere, MindTravel suggests you know your route so youre not worrying about directions, and I highly agree. Anything to minimize distractions is helpful. MindTravel also emphasizes safety and instructs you to always be aware of your surroundings and move in line with the meditationonly if it is safe.

Once on a quieter route, I was really able to focus on the soothing sounds of Hidarys voice over the background of the calming music he also composed. I listened as he told me to pick up my pace to a brisk walk and feel my heart quicken and then slow down to gentle steps. By this point, I had made it to my local walking/running path along the river thats beautifully dotted with trees and expansive green space. This was the perfect location for a walking meditation, as Hidary instructs you to really take in your surroundings and thats much more enjoyable when youre looking at nature rather than crowded city streets. At one point, he makes an analogy comparing life to a river, both at times calm and turbulent. Listening to that while actually looking into the sparkling ripples of a river brought an overwhelming sense of serenity. When I returned home from my walk, I felt light and energized, my spirits lifted on an otherwise routine weekday.

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For the short guided meditation, I chose to walk to another body of water this time a lake not too far from my home. The weather was gray and misty, so it wasnt as pleasant as my first walk, but I do enjoy seeing landscapes in different lighting. Having done the longer walk only a few days earlier, I was familiar with much of the meditation, though I still found it engaging and was able to keep my mind present for the majority of my walk.

Here are three reasons why I found MindTravels Silent Walking Meditation to be a great tool to practice mindfulness:

While I thoroughly enjoyed MindTravels Silent Walking Meditation, here are some things I didnt love:

Overall, my experience with MindTravels Silent Walking Meditation was very pleasant. Both walks reminded me of the feeling I normally get after a good yoga class a slight buzz with a sense of appreciation of my body, health, and space in this world. It reignited my interest in mindfulness and made me want to explore other avenues to practice meditation while staying safe at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Smart Health: I Tried MindTravel's Silent Walking Meditation and It Reignited My Zeal for Mindfulness - Everyday Health