| The healing power of music has been recognised
throughout history. Music has been used as therapy
since David played his harp for troubled King Saul.
The right music can take you from a highly tense
state to a relaxed state in a matter of minutes.
Music creates harmony out of discord and unlocks
emotion, leaving us free to relax. Like walking,
music draws away tension and anxiety and puts you
back in touch with yourself. So take out your Walkman,
slip on your headphones, put on some suitable music,
and start walking.
After a few minutes you will
begin to feel the tension ease away. After ten
minutes you will move into a flow state, opening
up your mind, body and spirit to new possibilities
and potentials. Feel the euphoric rush of energy
release as you move into a measured step with
the rhythm of the music, and experience an instant
‘high’. After 20-30 minutes’
aerobic workout, your muscles are stretched and
toned and you feel on top of the world.
What type of music? You can either play a favourite
piece of music or you can buy a specialist walking
tape. There are several on the market and they
are available in two types. One type matches heart
beat with the beat of the music (say 12O beats
per minute at a brisk pace). The second type also
matches heart beat and is more useful for beginners
- it has a voice over on the music and works as
a motivational aid. It has information on how
to get started, slowly build up your pace, and
how to walk to achieve maximum benefits. Specialist
tapes are available for a wide range of musical
tastes - pop, classical, swing, country and marches.
Instrumental pieces on piano, flute, harp or
by string ensembles tend to be more soothing than
vocal pieces. Experiment with music at different
tempos to match your walking pace, whether a stroll
or brisk workout. Just a note of caution. Headphones
can distract you from traffic and other dangers
on the road, so be careful when and where you
use them.
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