PRACTICING HOW TO WALK

It turns out that most of us get to the point in the aging process where we need to improve the way in which we walk. An inflection point occurs in our lives when walking starts to become difficult. If we do nothing about it, our health spirals downhill because when it is hard to walk we of course can do much less so we become more and more sedentary. That has a seriously negative effect on our health and our later years are more unpleasant than we would like.

If we take a different path at that inflection point and improve our physical abilities, the proceeding years will be far happier and healthier for us. Critical in changing our walking abilities is to simply practice walking. "Practice makes perfect." Improving our walking skills makes so many things better. It's well worth our time to focus on something so simple yet potentially transformational.

Preparation for practice:

  • Find a safe place to practice in: Hallways which have bannisters are excellent. But kitchen counters work well too. Select a place with an even floor (no cracks or hazards).
  • Give yourself enough room to take at least 8 steps. More is great.
  • Have both hands free while you practice.
  • While practicing always have one hand on the bannister or the counter. Do not test yourself by practicing without holding onto something stable and sturdy. Use a light touch with your hand. Think of the bannister or counter as being there for your use as a guide instead of something to depend on.
  • Wear sturdy shoes which are flexible: That means you should be able to bend the shoe backwards enabling standing in releve. Some athletic shoes are too stiff. It is essential that your shoes support rolling through your feet.
  • Warm your feet and knees up before you start. Ankle and knee circles are easy, fast and effective. A link to a video demonstrating knee circles is included at the end of this article.

Ultimately we are practicing how to walk properly.

​Become familiar with the technique recommended:
  • Think of having your heel touch the ground first as you step.
  • Push off the floor with your back foot. 
  • Make sure your knees are bending as you walk.
  • This technique is discussed fully in in the Building Better Balance article Walk Much More Easily.

When you walk this way you will notice several things:
  • It takes much less effort to walk: Your legs no longer feel heavy. Your step is bouncy, smooth and easy-breezy.
  • Much less stress is placed on your joints: They move more smoothly and seem to get "oiled" by the action.
  • Your walk no longer makes noise: We stop sounding like elephants. Our step is more facile, gentle and soundless.

What should we practice?

  • Practice rolling through your feet: You can start out practicing this from a seated position, then standing in one place, then walking.
  • Practice holding your belly in as you walk.
  • Practice looking straight ahead, in the direction you are going, instead of down at the ground.
  • Practice being able to see hazards in your midst without looking at them directly. This means practice improving your peripheral vision, especially in a downward direction so that you can be focusing straight ahead and at the same time be aware of the ground in front of you.
  • Practice turning: Step slowly. Lift your feet up as you turn. Make sure there is nothing to stumble on. Focus your eyes as you go to stabilize yourself.
  • Practice a gait combination: Before starting your walk, look at the hazards around you. Walk. Stop. Again survey the territory. Walk, etc. Practice turning, resurveying and walking in a different direction.

  • When you have become really advanced and secure in your walking, practice walking backwards: Your shoes will need to be bendably flexible. Make certain to look out in front of you and hold your abdomen in. Practicing walking backwards has a peculiar and amazing effect on something else: your self confidence. It's an excellent karma booster. But make certain you practice in a totally safe environment.
Published August 25, 2025.