What is the Afghan March?
It is a practice that consists of walking by synchronizing your breathing with your steps. It combines the benefits of walking, the rhythmic breathing that is heart coherence, and it induces a meditative state. There are many variations, which I describe in my books, but on flat ground, you have to inhale for three steps, keep your lungs full on the fourth step, then exhale for another three steps.
Read also : Meditation: 7 health benefits
Where does this Afghan market name come from?
The Afghan march is the fruit of the observations of a Westerner, in Afghanistan. During an economic mission in Afghanistan, the Frenchman Edouard Stiegler was impressed by the nomadic caravaneers, renowned for their physical endurance, who only breathed through their noses. He therefore decided to imitate them and baptize this technique in their honor.
How long does it take to learn regarding Afghan walking?
In general, one day is enough to master the technique and experiment with it. Then you have to practice. The more you practice, the more benefits you get from the Afghan walk. Learning the Afghan walk is not just regarding learning how to breathe better while walking. It’s learning how to breathe better in life.
What are the health benefits of this practice?
The heart of the Afghan march is super-oxygenation. Today, we live in a world under oxygenation. The Afghan walk is first and foremost a moderate physical activity, which has benefits on the breath, cardiovascular health and muscles. It is also a practice that improves stress and anxiety. Recent studies find benefits on cognitive functions.
Read also : The benefits of brisk walking
How long should you practice?
It is generally advisable to do at least 20 to 30 minutes of Afghan walking each day. But you can practice anywhere, in town or in the countryside or in the mountains if you have the ability. You adapt your pace and duration to the terrain, your age, your physical condition.
To go further, read: I learn the afghan march and Afghan march for all