Customer Reviews

The Spirited Walker: Fitness Walking For Clarity, Balance, and Spiritual Connection

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been exercising for many years now. At the time of reading Kortge's book I was recovering from a form of chronic fatigue syndrome and looking for an exercise that did not compromise my recovery. This was it! In the past I had turned my nose up at walking; I was after all a runner! But this book changed my ways. Each morning before I exercised I read a chapter and was able to apply all that I had learned on my walk. It is one of those books that I didn't want to end. Spending a 1/2 hour with Kortge in the morning was a great way to start my day. (By the way I am now back to running and the principles still apply.)

What makes the book special is there is a fine mix of theory, stories, practice and it is written with an energy that is encouraging, motivational and spiritual. I highly recommend this book to the novice walker and seasoned exerciser.

This book is terrific for a beginner or experienced walker. She will get you out your door and moving! It's very easy to read, and conducive to looking at a chapter or two at a time. She writes especially well about working through mental blocks, and assures the reader that *every* walker has a moment in *every* work-out when s/he wants to give up. She also gives sound advice about stretching and walking form with some simple illustrations. She encourages readers to connect to their own spirituality without espousing a particular religion or belief system. I no longer wear headphones regularly when I walk because of this book: she's helped me turn my walks into truly active meditation, refreshing me mentally with every step. I tried one of her ideas of silently repeating a phrase while I walk ("I am fit, and I am strong") -- and it powered me through hundreds of training miles and my first marathon! Share this book with friends who think they're not athletes, and watch her inspire them to change their self-perception. Great advice for a 15-minute or 15-mile walk, and highly recommended by this Team in Training marathon alumna and Avon 3-Day Walk veteran.

I've found this book remarkably helpful. As one who has not exercised for some time due to health problems, I am just getting back into exercise by walking. I'm finding this book helpful with ideas of how to walk to keep things interesting and moving forward physically and mentally. It also keeps me inspired. I read a little every couple days just to keep my interest and inspiration levels up. I've found it very helpful and would recommend it to anyone, whether a beginner at exercise or one who has been walking physically but would like more "spirit" in it.

I enjoyed this books suggestions on using mantras to encourage yourself to go that extra distance. It is written with the beginner and beyond in mind to motivate you to bring more "sacredness" in to a simple act that we often take for granted. It isn't packed with alot of technical information about aerobic walking but does suggest reliable resources for the absolute beginner. It also includes the author and other's stories of "flagging motivation" and how they were able to overcome it by bringing more mindfulness to the situation. This is key not only in walking but in life in general (try the mantra exercise the next time you need motivation to get that laundry folded or wash those dishes!) If you're looking for something to motivate you to put more "pep in your step" this is one great book to do it.

Though not a race walker, I'm well beyond fittness walking, walking faster than many others run. It's hard to find a book that takes you beyond fittness walking, but this one does. It has plenty of material for the beginning or average fittness walker, but also has lots of exercises for those who are ready to take thier practice to the upper levels.
I also love the fact that there are also plenty of exercises for those who would like to combine thier spiritual practices with thier fittness routine. This is very practical those of us who have many demands on our lives & little time to go around.

This is an excellent book for anyone who is just starting to walk or for someone who walks on a daily basis. I highly recommend it.

I love this book. It has helped me a lot not only with my walking but with jogging, hiking and biking. I was a shallow breather with a lot of stress. This book helped me to relax which in turn helped me to go faster and farther. I use the imagery and positive self talk all the time when I am trying to overcome all the complaints in my head about exercising. This book makes a great gift for all the stressed out people in your life.

This is a great book for anyone who would like to start meditating, but has trouble sitting still. I use the simple techniques when I'm hiking,and even biking. It gives my mind a break from all the unnecessary rehashing of problems or life stress. Now, after a workout, I feel much more refreshed from being in the moment and focusing on my breath and positive affirmations. I would recommend it to all levels of walkers and meditators.