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Tracey Land
29th June 2009
"I really like the Walkactive programme because it uses an every day activity and transforms it into something much more beneficial."I have a 4 year old child, a career and a lazy greyhound! I was really struggling to ‘fit in’ exercise, partly because I already spent an hour a day walking my dog. But this walking was your normal very passive variety – no glut or abdominal action and definitely not cardiovascular! Since applying Joanna’s principles – which, having done Pilates for 10 years seems like the application of Pilates principles to walking – I have noticed some great benefits. Firstly in the space of a few weeks my abdomen (particularly the obliques), gluts and thighs seem much more toned. And secondly I find walking a much more satisfying, even meditative experience now – I am so focused on applying the technique – thinking about foot strike, abdominal contraction, lengthening from pelvis up through the spine and neck and getting the arm action right, it stops all my normal frenetic mental activity – I can be much more in the present - so I feel more refreshed after a walk. And all these benefits without having to invest a minute of additional extra time – so I can stop feeling guilty about not having time for ‘proper’ exercise!
I’m a nutritional therapist and am so taken by the benefits of the technique I am recommending it to lots of my clients. Many people struggle to fit in exercise – and this approach helps maximise something that most people can do. Plus being outside (not in some boring, sweat, artificially lit gym) is great for mental health and cognitive function too. It really is the ideal all-round exercise.
Tracey sums up why walking is a perfect way to exercise intelligently. Not only is it a great way of exercising gently and effectively but it is easily intergrated into every day life. Thank you to Tracey for recommending my technique and congratulations in keeping walking!