| Man is distinguished from other animals by a | | | | and daily occurrences if one is accompanied. |
| myriad of characteristics, but perhaps the most | | | | Walking provides the opportunity to be an |
| obvious difference is that man walks upright. | | | | observer. In a park or country setting, one can |
| Whether you believe you are a product of a | | | | simply enjoy the abundance of nature or in a |
| higher being or evolved from other life forms, | | | | more urban setting there is the activity of day to |
| walking has enabled humans to easily move about | | | | day living that surrounds us. In either case the |
| the earth. In combination with a well developed | | | | focus is often removed from ourselves and gives |
| brain humankind has conquered many challenges | | | | our own mind the time to reflect and evaluate. |
| and developed a host of modern marvels. | | | | Events are occurring outside our direct sphere of |
| Walking enabled man to survive in the past and it | | | | interest and consequently the mind is often |
| remains true today. Walking provides the means | | | | rejuvenated, refreshed and invigorated. |
| to live longer and there is virtually no expense | | | | The physical benefits of walking are numerous. |
| involved, save for a pair of shoes - walking | | | | Our limbs are engaged in an activity that man |
| barefoot in many environments may pose a | | | | was designed to do. Our muscle structure is |
| health risk. It can be accomplished at slower | | | | enhanced as well as our internal organs. Our |
| speeds for the elderly or at a much quicker pace | | | | hearts may beat a bit faster thus improving our |
| for the younger and for both the health benefits | | | | respiratory and circulatory systems. Digestion is |
| are tremendous. | | | | benefited and fat is burned while improving our |
| Walking provides the opportunity to achieve | | | | flexibility and endurance. |
| better physical and emotional health. The old | | | | High blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol |
| adage of a sound mind in a sound body is | | | | plague many and the simple act of participating in |
| certainly a benefit of walking. The emotional | | | | a walking program offers the opportunity to |
| benefits of walking are as significant as the | | | | reduce blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels |
| physical aspects. It provides a bit of an escape | | | | in most people. If one wants to live longer with a |
| from everyday stresses. It provides a time to | | | | better quality of life the simple act of walking is |
| think if walking alone or to discuss issues, events, | | | | the path to follow. |