aanatawareness

Nature Awareness

Footwork
When is the last time you blindfolded yourself and took a walk through the woods? Would you trip? What would happen to your other senses? As humans our ultimate physical connection to the land is through our feet! How we walk not only affects our own bodies, but the land on which we walk. The easier we are on the land, the easier we will be on our backs, ankles, and related muscles. (The ankle bones connected to the�) When walking, try to keep your head up, as if you were looking at the horizon, and use your perifial vision to see obstacles on the ground. Walk on a trail or semi-open area at first, graduating onto more difficult terrain later. You may feel unsteady at first, but if you practice enough your method of walking will naturally change to a more "natural" way. Feel the ground with your feet (wear thin or no shoes) and imagine that there are eyes at the tip of your toes. (You wouldn't want to poke your eye out!) You may notice that you begin to be more careful, using your forward foot as a feeler before committing your full weight. How would you want to be walking if you were about to step on a nail? You would want to be able to feel that nail and change position/direction immediately� Try it! And remember, LOOK UP!