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This Post has the purpose of presenting outstanding data on 2 relevant aspects. The first (Unit A) is to show the results of the research that I have carried out on the official organizations and departments of countries worldwide that are in charge of making effective the laws, regulations and provisions in relation to the construction of urban infrastructure, which guarantee and facilitate movement. comfortable and easy for people through walking, belonging to the social sector who have reduced mobility; and second (Unit B), observe the progress that has been made in the activity of traveling by bicycle, as an element that will serve as a pattern (template) to achieve some goals regarding what we should do in the future, with respect to walking.

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Regarding the first aspect, the rules and provisions that those countries have issued that currently govern the design and construction of urban infrastructure, buildings, facilities and public spaces, recreational sites and areas, are presented, in general terms, urban facilities, squares and commercial buildings, multi-family housing and public transportation, to facilitate the mobility of this social sphere in a safe way, moving on foot

The social group of people we are referring to is those who have reduced mobility when walking, either due to age (older adults (1)) or who have some physical impediment to walking in an easy and comfortable way.

The second scenario emerges as a relevant element to analyze and confront because progress has been made in some countries, especially in Holland (Amsterdam and Ultrech), in the use of the bicycle as a fundamental means of individual transportation, and its study will allow us knowing its structural mechanisms and will also serve as a pattern to imitate in some general and specific proposals of the new paradigm of walking.

This post is the continuation of Post THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM AND PEOPLE WITH REDUCED MOBILITY, and also a core part of the series of 9 posts, titled “NEW WALKING PARADIGM”, a set of Posts that will lead us precisely to constitute the New Paradigm that we will build throughout this Blog.

Its development, regarding the first aspect, consists of 3 clearly defined and differentiated scenarios:

1. The group of people with limited mobility who cannot walk due to having both lower limbs in poor condition.

2. The group of people who can walk but one of their lower limbs is not in good physical condition and needs a crutch or cane for support.

3. The group of people who have their 2 lower extremities in good condition, can walk, but have some limitation in their mobility that makes it difficult for them to do so or prevents them from doing it normally, such as loss of vision in one or the other both eyes, problems with the hips, the spine, etc.

In general we could refer to these 3 scenarios as the group of people who have limited or reduced mobility for the practice of walking.

Although we could well include the elderly, we have decided not to do so in order to analyze it separately, although it contains very similar aspects.

To address these 3 scenarios, we have resorted to the available information and regulations and their specific analysis, in order to achieve their resolution in the “here and now”, defining those interdisciplinary actions (2) that are aimed at structuring the New paradigm that allows us to attend -permanently- to the needs of this social sector.

To address the problem with the resources and legal provisions that we currently have, we said in Post THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM AND PEOPLE WITH REDUCED MOBILITY: “…it will be addressed with the technical and regulatory mechanisms that we have at the present moment. I will allow myself to comment on all of them to the best of my ability. Legal provisions vary from one country to another, from one city to another, from one town to another; so each person must investigate this information in their place of residence (technical and legal), as well as about the services, supports and technical, engineering and architectural assistance that can be obtained for this social category, in order to better carry out this fundamental practice. It will depend on each person according to their physical-social position and where they are.”

We also expressed in the same Post: “We will achieve the second scenario – in a plural way – through an invitation that I have already made through several posts that belong to a series of them that will lead us to define a NEW PARADIGM IN WALKING [ …]. The incorporation of this social group in the integration of this new paradigm has a relevance of the first order, and therefore its great problems must be incorporated in the legal provisions, as well as in urban planning and architectural engineering projects, forever and in a manner continued.”

Likewise we said: “Regarding the efforts that have been made, I have been able to detect very significant results (substantial, transcendent), both in propositional documents and in practical programs, which I will present.”

There is the United Nations Organization WHO, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, which has the central function of seeking to care for the world population within certain frameworks of acceptable health. And one of those scenarios is to transmit the importance of exercising, that human beings must exercise permanently. However, I believe that in the immediate future it will be necessary to seek to address this sector with greater acquiescence, conveying that all member countries of the United Nations must focus on legislating within their legislative frameworks the timely attention of this social class.

As we can imagine, the technical, functional and legal regulatory information is dispersed in different orders in the different countries that have advanced in this area. I have dedicated myself – according to my possibilities – to obtaining this information in the countries that have it, synthesizing it, which I present in an accessible and brief manner in the following sections (blocks, modules, groupings).

Regardless of this effort, the inclusion within WHO of the incorporation of universal precepts containing a legislative framework should be considered, so that they can serve as a reference for all countries worldwide.

The practice of walking should be incorporated as one of the human rights that the UN has deployed worldwide.

Furthermore, it could be incorporated into an administrative and executive department in the same WHO organization, so that this social sector is better served at a global level.

This organization must extend its regulatory provisions in all areas and to all countries in the world. It may sound like a chimera, but it is worth trying, since there are several instances from a technological point of view that can help almost 100% of the people who make up this social group, at a universal level.

It is necessary to implement specific education in this sense (Future Post ENGINEERING, PEDAGOGY OR PSYCHOLOGY OF WALKING) that leads humanity to strengthen this fundamental activity of the human being, transmitting an education, through scientific instruction and financial support. That is to say, it must focus on this social sector, and propose the guidelines and principles for its operation, which is oriented to people in these 3 scenarios, and must also include the category of elderly people who have problems very similar to these, and that they must also be supported with specific legislation, at the international level and in each country of origin.

At a global level, there are various international treaties and conventions that establish rights and standards in the social sector of disabled people. Some of the most important are:

• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol: This United Nations treaty establishes the rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities and focuses on ensuring their full and effective inclusion and participation in society.

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights: This document establishes the fundamental and universal rights of all people, including people with disabilities.

• Council of Europe Recommendation R (99) 5: This recommendation sets out basic standards for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities in Europe and advocates a rights-based approach to the inclusion of people with disabilities in society.

These international instruments establish a legal framework to protect the rights of people with disabilities and guarantee their accessibility to society, including the construction of accessible infrastructure for their mobility.

EUROPE

At the level of the European Continent, there are several provisions and regulations that establish specific standards for the social sphere of disabled people:

• EU Directive on equal opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities: This directive establishes minimum standards to guarantee equal opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities in the European Union space.

• Oviedo Convention: This Council of Europe convention establishes the rights of people with disabilities and focuses on the protection of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

• Accessibility and non-discrimination law for people with disabilities in Spain: This law establishes the rules to guarantee the accessibility and non-discrimination of people with disabilities in Spain, including the construction of accessible infrastructure for their mobility.

• Law on equal opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities in Germany: This law establishes the rules to guarantee equal opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities in Germany, including the construction of accessible infrastructure for their mobility.

These European regulations and laws establish a legal framework to protect the rights of people with disabilities, guaranteeing and facilitating their accessibility to society.

Furthermore, in Europe, there are several provisions and regulations that establish standards in the social sector for the disabled in relation to urban constructions to facilitate the walking of people with disabilities, here I mention some examples:

• EU Directive on equal opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities: This directive establishes minimum standards to guarantee equal opportunities and accessibility in the European Union, including the accessibility of urban buildings.

• Accessibility and non-discrimination law for people with disabilities in Spain: This law establishes standards to guarantee the accessibility and non-discrimination of people with disabilities in Spain, including the construction of accessible buildings for their mobility.

• Law on equal opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities in Germany: This law establishes standards to ensure equal opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities in Germany, including the construction of buildings accessible for their mobility.

• Accessibility regulation in Switzerland: This regulation establishes standards to ensure the accessibility of public buildings and constructions in Switzerland for people with disabilities.

These European regulations and laws establish a legal framework to protect the rights of people with disabilities and guarantee their accessibility to society, including the construction of buildings and urban constructions accessible for their mobility.

Also in Europe, in some countries, there are regulations and provisions on urban infrastructure that establish standards for the social group of disabled people in terms of urban infrastructure constructions such as streets, roads, sidewalks, accesses, ramps, signage, etc. , regarding making it easier for people in this sector to walk.

Likewise, in the European Union there is the European Directive on accessibility for people with disabilities and older people to buildings and other public spaces, which establishes specific standards to guarantee accessibility in the construction of urban infrastructure. In addition, there are specific regulations in each European country that regulate accessibility in buildings and other public spaces. Some European countries, such as Spain, have national laws that implement this Directive and establish specific requirements for the construction of public roads, ramps, signs, etc. for people with disabilities.

In Germany, the legal framework for accessibility for people with disabilities is found in the Federal Act for the Equality of People with Disabilities and Disabilities (Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz). This law establishes standards to guarantee the accessibility of public infrastructure, including streets, roads, sidewalks, accesses, ramps and signs. Furthermore, the Technical Building Code (Building Code – DIN 18040) specifically establishes the requirements for accessibility in the construction of buildings and public spaces. These regulations apply to new construction and significant renovations, and establish requirements in terms of road width, ramp slope, switch height, and other features to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

In Norway, there are several regulations that establish standards for the construction of urban infrastructure accessible to people with disabilities. Some of these regulations include:

• The Accessibility and Universal Design Law, which establishes the obligation of local authorities and public companies to ensure accessibility and support for people with disabilities.

• The Technical Standards for Accessibility and Universal Design, which establish accessibility requirements in the construction of buildings, including ramps,

In Norway, the regulation that regulates accessibility in urban infrastructure for people with disabilities is the “Building Regulation”. This regulation establishes specific requirements for the construction of streets, roads, sidewalks, accesses, ramps and signage, to guarantee accessibility and safety for people with disabilities. In addition, there are specific regulations and standards for the construction of buildings and public spaces, including accessibility in elevators and escalators. The implementation of these regulations is overseen by the local building authority.

In England and the United Kingdom, the regulations that regulate accessibility in urban infrastructure for people with disabilities are the “Building Regulations” and the “Equality Act”. The “Building Regulations” establish requirements for the construction of streets, roads, sidewalks, accesses, ramps and signage, to guarantee accessibility and safety for people with disabilities. The Equality Act is a broader law that addresses discrimination in the workplace and in access to goods and services, including accessibility in urban infrastructure. The implementation of these regulations is overseen by the local building authority and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Finally, in France, the regulation that regulates accessibility in urban infrastructure for people with disabilities is the “Loi Handicap” or Disability Law. This law establishes specific requirements for the construction of streets, roads, sidewalks, accesses, ramps and signs, to guarantee accessibility and safety for people with disabilities. In addition, there are specific regulations and standards for the construction of buildings and public spaces, including accessibility in elevators and escalators. The implementation of these regulations is overseen by the local building authority.

NORTH AMERICA

In the United States of America there are Regulations and Provisions that establish standards in the social sector for the disabled in terms of urban constructions regarding facilitating walking for people in this sector.

The main regulation in the United States that establishes standards for the social status of people with disabilities is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This law requires that public and commercial buildings be accessible to people with disabilities and that certain accessibility standards be met in building construction, including ramps, elevators, adapted bathrooms, and signage. Similar standards also apply to the construction of multifamily housing under the Fair Housing Act.

Likewise, there are regulations and provisions in the United States of America that establish standards in the social class of disabled people regarding the construction of urban infrastructure such as streets, roads, sidewalks, accesses, ramps, signs, etc., with respect to facilitating the walk the people of this sector.

In the United States, the law that establishes standards for the disabled category regarding the construction of urban infrastructure is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This law establishes requirements for the construction of streets, roads, sidewalks, accesses, ramps, signs, etc., with the aim of facilitating walking for people with disabilities. Additionally, the ADA also sets standards for accessibility in buildings and other public spaces. All new public and private buildings, as well as public transportation facilities, must meet ADA accessibility standards.

In Canada, the primary law that establishes regulations for building accessibility for people with disabilities is the Accessibility for People with Disabilities Act of Ontario (AODA). This law establishes that organizations must make their buildings, products and services accessible to people with disabilities. This includes the construction of ramps, elevators, adapted bathrooms, signage and other elements that facilitate access for people with disabilities. Additionally, the AODA states that organizations must provide training to their employees on how to provide an accessible service to people with disabilities. The AODA is administered by the Ontario Accessibility Commission, which is responsible for enforcing the law and providing technical assistance to organizations.

Likewise, in Canada, the law that establishes standards in the disability social sector regarding the construction of urban infrastructure is the Ontario Disability Support Program Act (ODSPA). The ODSPA establishes requirements for the construction of streets, roads, sidewalks, accesses, ramps, signs, etc., with the aim of facilitating walking for people with disabilities. In addition, the ODSPA also sets standards for accessibility in buildings and other public spaces, and applies to all provinces and territories in Canada. All new public and private buildings, as well as public transportation facilities, must meet accessibility standards established by the ODSPA.

SOUTH AMERICA AND CENTRAL AMERICA

There are regulations and provisions in some countries in South America and Central America that establish norms in the social sphere of disabled people in terms of urban constructions with respect to facilitating walking for people of this class, they are noted below:

Those countries in South and Central America that have standards similar to the ADA are the following:

• Argentina: The Law on the Integration of People with Disabilities establishes universal accessibility as a right and requires that public and private constructions meet certain accessibility standards.

• Brazil: The Inclusão da Pessoa com Deficiência Law establishes universal accessibility as a right and requires that public and private constructions meet certain accessibility standards.

• Mexico: The General Law of Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly requires that public and private buildings meet certain accessibility standards and that accessibility be provided to persons with disabilities.

• Colombia: Law 361 of 1997 establishes universal accessibility as a right and requires that public and private constructions meet certain accessibility standards.

These countries also have government agencies charged with enforcing these laws and regulations, and offering technical assistance to homeowners and builders to ensure accessibility in buildings.

RUSSIA

In Russia, the law that establishes standards in the social sphere of disabled people regarding the construction of urban infrastructure is the Federal Law of the Russian Federation on the social inclusion of people with disabilities and improving their quality of life. This law establishes requirements for the construction of streets, roads, sidewalks, accesses, ramps, signs, etc., with the aim of facilitating walking for people with disabilities. In addition, the law also establishes standards for accessibility in buildings and other public spaces. All new public and private buildings, as well as public transport facilities, must meet accessibility standards established by law.

JAPAN

In Japan, legislation for accessibility for people with disabilities is found in the Act on the Promotion of Measures to Remove Barriers Facing Persons with Disabilities. This law establishes standards for the construction of accessible infrastructure for people with disabilities, including streets, roads, sidewalks, accesses, ramps and signs. In addition, Japan’s Ministry of Construction and Transportation has established technical standards for the construction of accessible infrastructure, including requirements for ramp slope, road width, and signage. These standards apply to new construction and significant renovations. These regulations are designed to ensure that people with disabilities can move safely and accessible in urban infrastructure.

CHINA

In China, there are various regulations that establish standards for the construction of urban infrastructure accessible to people with disabilities. Some of these regulations include:

• The Law on the Protection of Persons with Disabilities of the People’s Republic of China, which establishes the obligation of local authorities and public enterprises to ensure accessibility and support for people with disabilities.

• The Regulations for the construction of buildings for people with disabilities, which establish accessibility requirements in the construction of buildings, including ramps, elevators, signage, etc.

• The Traffic Sign Regulation for People with Disabilities, which sets out the requirements for traffic signs accessible to people with disabilities.

These regulations seek to ensure that urban infrastructure is accessible and safe for all people, including those with disabilities.

Most of these provisions and regulations that we have mentioned established in different countries refer in general to disability, but do not specifically refer to the activity of walking.

Of course, they do implicitly include it, however, I believe that they should be more explicit about this activity -not only for the disabled or those with reduced mobility-, but for older adults and other citizens, in such a way that we find the future – which is just around the corner – with regulations that give greater comfort and safety to walkers in all these spaces (2).

Our work will continue to develop these tasks until we have an adequate model to implement at a universal level.

Likewise, the human rights embodied in the United Nations only talk about the Law of people with disabilities and the Law of older adults, which is the topic that concerns us in this Post, however, our final objective is WALKING. The Right to freedom of movement gives us the freedom to move but there is no SECURITY (3) when moving WALKING.

The format that WALK21 has used seems very appropriate to me. Its 8 strategic principles that it points out in its International Walking Charter seem to me to place us on an appropriate path to achieve a universal culture of walking, as it points out in its 8th principle.

In the near future we will have to join forces to legislate on this fundamental human activity at a global level.

(1) In future Post SUBSTITUTE EXERCISES IN PART OF THE PRACTICE OF WALKING we present a series of exercises that can help people who cannot practice walking because they have restricted physical mobility; likewise, in the future Post RECOMMENDED EXERCISES IN CASE YOU DON’T GO FOR A WALK ONE DAY, it could be used since it also consists of exercises for people who can walk perfectly, but one day they didn’t want to do it, and for them those are recommended exercises.

(2) Loya Lopátegui, Carlos, Walking: Redefining the Future of Humanity, EMULISA, Mexico, 2024. Available on Amazon, Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0DNGLS67N. The general objectives achieved in this book are the following: a) Propose a comprehensive forecast on the role of walking in the next five decades and design architectural, urban and technological solutions that revitalize this activity: This essay analyzes walking in its deepest dimensions, proposing a forecast that not only considers the challenges, but also the opportunities that the future offers for those who travel on foot. From an architectural and urban framework, and with the help of constantly evolving technologies, we propose solutions that allow walking to be revitalized as a daily practice in human living environments. Innovative ideas are explored to redesign cities and rural spaces, integrating systems and structures that promote walking as a fundamental activity for people’s physical, mental and social health. This essay aspires to propose a model of pedestrian space that includes safety, accessibility, beauty and comfort, and that is adapted to the needs of a diverse and constantly changing population. b) Analyze the concept of pedestrian safety from a holistic perspective: Pedestrian safety, understood here in its broadest sense, represents much more than accident prevention. It involves a comprehensive approach to protection and well-being at every step, addressing essential factors such as road design, interaction with other urban elements, the presence of adequate rest areas, well-distributed accesses, and the inclusion of signage and technologies that facilitate an experience of safe and reliable walking. Thus, safety does not only refer to physical infrastructure, but to a system of conditions and measures that allow all people—regardless of age, gender, physical ability or context—to feel supported and safe when traveling on foot.

(3) Loya Lopátegui, Carlos, Walking: Redefining the Future of Humanity, EMULISA, Mexico, 2024, pp. 40-56

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Once upon a time, there was a young elk named Bruno in the vast northern forests. His parents were a couple of loving moose, who had found him one snowy winter, abandoned and alone. They decided to raise him as their own son but Bruno knew nothing about this event. Since he was little, he always showed a special passion for walking. While the other young elk played and jumped, he preferred to explore the forest trails, sniff the scents of the pines and listen to the rustling of the leaves under his hooves.

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As he grew older, Bruno ventured farther and farther, discovering crystal-clear streams, meadows full of wildflowers, and secret corners of the forest that seemed straight out of a fairy tale.

His proud and protective parents immediately noticed his curiosity about the world around him. Bruno, sometimes I felt like there was something different about him. His legs were lighter, and sometimes, he saw himself soaring through the skies in his dreams.

Throughout his youth, Alcim faced many challenges. During the harsh winters, when snow covered the ground and finding food was difficult, Alcim never stopped. His long walks allowed him to find the best bushes to feed on and the safest areas to rest. Thanks to his perseverance and determination, he always managed to stay strong and healthy.

However, not everything was easy in forest life. One day, while walking near a clearing, Alcim heard a strange noise. They were poachers, men who hunted animals illegally. With his heart beating rapidly, Alcim remembered all the ways and paths he had learned on his adventures. He used his knowledge to sneak away silently and find a safe place. That night, as he watched the stars shining above him, Alcim realized that his long walks had saved his life. Likewise, while his gaze was fixed on the starry sky, he saw an owl on the branch of a tree that was looking at him with curiosity.

“Hello, young Bruno,” said the owl. “You have a mark on your forehead that I recognize very well.”

Bruno, surprised, looked up further and asked: “Who are you and how do you know my name?”

I am an owl, and my name is Oscar. And I am very wise that is why I know your name. Everyone calls me “Oscar, the wise owl of the forest.” And I also know more than you imagine. That mark on your forehead is a sign. You are Alcyone, son of reindeer whom I have known for a long time.”

Bruno frowned in disbelief. “That can’t be. I’m a moose. My parents are moose.”

Oscar let out a soft, gentle laugh. “Come with me, I’ll show you something” Bruno accompanied him, reaching a small pond nearby. “Look at yourself in the reflection,” Oscar told him.

Bruno looked out into the water and, to his astonishment, saw that he didn’t look like his parents. Its antlers were different, thinner and more elegant, and its body had a lightness that I had never noticed before. “But…what does this mean?” he asked confused.

Oscar nodded. “Your biological parents called you Alcim, a diminutive of Alcyone, which means Luminous. They have been looking for you since they lost you in a storm. They are reindeer, and like you, they can fly.”

“Fly?” Bruno couldn’t believe it. “That’s impossible.”

“Try it,” Oscar said with a smile. “Close your eyes and feel the lightness in your paws.”

Bruno did it. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suddenly felt a powerful urge. He opened his eyes and found himself flying through the skies with Óscar. The tops of the trees passed quickly beneath him as the wind blew gently through his fur.

When he finally landed, Bruno felt a mix of excitement and confusion. “So, I’m a reindeer… and I can fly.”

“That’s right,” Oscar confirmed. “And now that you know, you can look for your real parents. They will be very happy to know that you are alive.”

A few months passed and Bruno became a strong and healthy adult Reindeer. He met a beautiful elk named Alena, and together they enjoyed walking through the forest, discovering new places and sharing adventures.

The winters kept coming, and each one seemed harsher than the last. But Bruno and Alena were always prepared to face those harsh winters. Thanks to daily walks, they knew the best shelters and the safest routes. Even in the strongest storms, he always found his way home.

One day, as the sun was setting and the sky was turning orange, Bruno commented to Alena in a clearing: “Walking has taken us to wonderful places,” he said with a smile. “It has made us strong and kept us united. We must never forget the importance of every step we take and have taken.”

And so, Bruno and Alena continued walking, exploring and enjoying the beauty of the forest and inspiring many other moose to follow in their footsteps.

Final message:

Dear boys and girls, just as Bruno the Pilgrim Reindeer discovered his true self and the magic he carried within and in that way found strength, wisdom and adventures by walking, you too can discover a wonderful world with every step you take.

Walking is not only a way to move, it is a way to explore, learn and grow. So put on your most comfortable shoes and go for a walk! The world is full of paths waiting to be discovered, and who knows, maybe they will also discover the magic within them.

This first part is just the beginning of Alcyone’s adventures. Don’t miss his next adventure where he will search for his biological parents.

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The act of walking is an ancient practice that connects human beings with their environment and with themselves. Since time immemorial, cultures around the world have valued walking not only as a means of transportation, but as a form of meditation, introspection, and spiritual connection. In this post, we will explore the relationship between the practice of walking and the Tao, the ancient Chinese philosophy that seeks harmony and balance in life, including the concept of Yin and Yang.

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The Tao and Taoism:

The Tao (or Dao) is a central concept in Chinese philosophy that is commonly translated as “the Way” or “the Path.” It represents the fundamental principle underlying the universe, the natural flow of life and the force that guides all things towards their purpose and balance. Taoism, founded by Lao-Tsé in the 6th century BC, is the philosophical and spiritual tradition that focuses on living in harmony with the Tao.

Relationship between Walking and Tao:

1. Flow with the Tao:

Walking in nature allows people to experience the flow of Tao, moving to the rhythm of natural life and synchronizing with the environment. Each step becomes a manifestation of the harmony and balance that the Tao represents with the being itself.

2. Meditation in Movement:

Walking can be a form of active meditation. In Taoism, Wu Wei (non-action or effortless action) is valued, which involves acting in alignment with the natural flow of things. Walking without a fixed goal, simply enjoying the act of walking, is an expression of Wu Wei.

3. Connection with Nature:

Taoism emphasizes the importance of being in contact with nature to understand the Tao. Walking in natural environments, such as forests, mountains and trails, allows people to absorb the surrounding vital energy (Qi) and feel part of the universe.

4. Simplicity and Tranquility:

Walking, especially in its simplest form, without technology or distractions, encourages simplicity and tranquility, essential principles of Taoism. This practice helps clear the mind and find inner peace, aligning with the Taoist quest for a simple and natural life.

5. The Path as a Metaphor of Life:

In Taoism, life is seen as a path that one must travel with wisdom and acceptance. Walking becomes a powerful metaphor for this journey, reminding us that every step counts and that the journey is as important as the destination (Post WALKING, AN EXISTENTIAL METAPHOR. PART 1 OF 4).

Yin and Yang in the Act of Walking:

The concept of Yin and Yang is fundamental in Taoism and represents the opposite but complementary forces that exist in all things. Integrating this idea into walking practice can provide a more balanced and holistic perspective (Future Post THE YIN AND YANG AND THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM).

1. Dynamic Balance:

Walking reflects the dynamic balance of Yin and Yang. Each step involves a balance between movement (Yang) and stability (Yin). As we progress, our body continually adapts, finding harmony in movement.

2. Breathing and Rhythm:

Conscious breathing while walking can align with Yin and Yang. Inhalation represents the active and expansive energy of Yang, while exhalation reflects the passive and receptive energy of Yin. Maintaining a balanced breathing rhythm can help harmonize these internal forces.

3. Natural Landscapes:

By walking in different natural landscapes, we can observe the manifestations of Yin and Yang in nature. Mountains and hills represent Yang with its ascending energy, while valleys and rivers embody Yin with its descending energy. Recognizing these forces in our environment helps us connect more deeply with the Tao.

4. Time and Space:

Walking at different times of the day and in various weather conditions can reflect the balance of Yin and Yang. The morning, with its fresh and active energy, represents Yang, while the afternoon and evening, with its tranquility and calm, symbolize Yin. Adapting to these changes helps us live in harmony with the natural cycle of Tao.

Taoist Practices Related to Walking:

1. Walking Qigong:

Qigong is a Taoist practice that combines controlled breathing, meditation and movement. Walking Qigong is a specific form that integrates walking with breathing and visualization techniques to harmonize the body and mind.

2. Walking Meditation:

Inspired by Taoist and Buddhist teachings, walking meditation focuses on walking slowly and mindfully, paying attention to each step and the immediate surroundings.

3. Nature Walks (Shinrin-Yoku):

Although Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) is a Japanese practice, its essence of finding calm and healing in nature aligns closely with Taoist principles. Spending time in nature walking consciously allows people to reconnect with the Tao (Post WALKING WITH THE TREES).

Specific recommendations:

Walking is not just a physical exercise, but a spiritual and philosophical practice that can deepen our understanding of the Tao and our connection to the natural world. By incorporating the wisdom of the Tao and the balance of Yin and Yang into our walks, we can find a path to inner harmony and balance in our lives.

An interactive phase:

• Personal Story: Share a personal experience or anecdote about how walking has influenced your life and your understanding of the Tao.

• Practical Tips: Offers tips on how to practice walking meditation or Walking Qigong.

• Additional Resources: Recommend books, articles or videos on Taoism, Yin and Yang, and the practice of walking.

By exploring these connections, we can engage with a rich and profound perspective on how the simple act of walking can be transformed into an experience of wisdom and self-knowledge, guided by the principles of the Tao and the balance of Yin and Yang.

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It was a day when the wind seemed to whisper secrets in the ear of whoever knew how to listen to them. In a secluded corner of a leafy park, among paths that meandered like lost thoughts, Synesfrido appeared, an enigmatic being who radiated a strange calm, walking on a hidden path unseen among the trees, where the echoes of the wind intertwined with the murmurs of the leaves. His gait was not common; his steps seemed to merge as they combined with the heartbeats of nature, creating inexplicable sensations around him.

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He was not the typical walker, as he did so at the rhythm of the emotions of his surroundings. He was a being that inhabited the intersection of the senses, a traveler between colors, sounds and aromas.

For Sinesfrido, every corner of the world was a melody of senses, a choreography in which everything was connected through an invisible symphony. He walked alone, although it did not seem like it, because the paths responded to his steps, and he, a traveler in the universe of synesthesias, perceived everything with an overwhelming intensity.

It was in the middle of this path that Synesfrido saw an individual sitting under a large oak tree, bewildered and somewhat dazed.

Synesfrido, always curious and connected to the energies of the senses, approached gently and spoke with a voice that mixed tones of dawn and dusk.

SYNESFRIDO

-Who are you? asked Synesfrido, stopping before him.

The individual looked at him, unable to respond immediately. I had felt his presence before I saw him.

“I’m GOVOT,” he finally answered, with a voice that seemed to vibrate with each of the senses. I perceive the world in ways that sometimes I don’t understand. Everything comes to me at once: the colors taste like fruit, the sounds caress me like the wind, and the smells… the smells paint landscapes in my mind. But I don’t know how to handle the reason part. I’m overwhelmed.

For GOVOT, the world was a sensory satisfaction; every detail flooded him with such magnitude that he could barely process it.

GOVOT, was an individual who embodied the essence of the five human senses – taste, smell, sight, hearing and touch – but in that place he found himself confused, as if the world around him were an ungovernable chaos (without direction, without government , without dominion, without direction, without regulation) or a reasonable order without control.

GOVOT

In the middle of this path, Synesfrido saw an individual sitting under a large oak tree, bewildered and somewhat dazed.

Synesfrido, always curious and connected to the energies of the senses, approached gently and spoke with a voice that mixed tones of dawn and dusk.

-Who are you? asked Synesfrido, stopping before him.

The individual looked at him, unable to respond immediately. He had felt his presence before he saw him.

“I’m GOVOT,” he finally answered, with a voice that seemed to vibrate with each of the senses. I perceive the world in ways that sometimes I don’t understand. Everything comes to me at once: the colors taste like fruit, the sounds caress me like the wind, and the smells… the smells paint landscapes in my mind. But I don’t know how to handle the reason part. I’m overwhelmed.

For GOVOT, the world was a sensory satisfaction; every detail flooded him with such magnitude that he could barely process it.

GOVOT, was an individual who embodied the essence of the five human senses – taste, smell, sight, hearing and touch – but in that place he found himself confused, as if the world around him were an ungovernable chaos (without direction, without government , without dominion, without direction, without regulation) or a reasonable order without control.

Synesfrido, understanding his new companion’s dilemma, smiled calmly. He knew exactly what he had to do.

—My name is Synesfrido. And get used to walking through this and other forests. What you need, GOVOT, is to walk.

-Walk? GOVOT asked, confused. How could walking help me order all this chaos dominated by reason?

—You know, GOVOT? —Synesfrido told him, knowingly. The senses you carry with you are waiting to be awakened. But for that, you need to walk. Only the movement of the body awakens the movement of perception. Why don’t you start walking? The senses respond to the step, and each way of walking brings them a different gift.

GOVOT, a little bewildered, looked up and asked without much conviction:

-Walk? And what will that change in me, Synesfrido?

“Because walking is not just moving your feet, my friend,” Synesfrido responded with a deep look. It is the most natural way in which human beings connect sensorially with the world. When you walk, you give a rhythm to your senses. You synchronize them, you distribute them. And if you walk in certain ways, you can experience your senses in ways you never imagined.

GOVOT frowned, intrigued but still doubtful.

Synesfrido smiled, his eyes shining with a gleam that held more than words could say.

“I propose a challenge to you,” said Synesfrido, extending his hand. Let’s walk together. But not in any way. I will show you how walking can awaken true sensory harmony in you.

—Walk slowly, as if time were lengthening before you. Close your eyes, GOVOT. If you dare to take a few steps in the darkness of your own senses, touch will awaken first. You will feel the texture of the ground under your feet, as if each step were a secret conversation between you and the earth. You may notice a breeze caressing your face, and without needing to see, the wind will tell you the direction of its travel.

GOVOT stood up, accepting Synesfrido’s hand.

Intrigued, GOVOT let Synesfrido guide him.

The two began to walk, and Synesfrido guided him towards a series of unique experiences.

First, they walked slowly, almost in slow motion. GOVOT’s steps were slow and cautious at first. Immediately, he noticed how the air played with his skin, and his body, which until then had been a mere structure, began to feel.

GOVOT began to notice how the touch of each blade of grass under his feet felt different, like a delicate caress. The wind caressed her skin as if it were wrapping her thoughts in velvet. “Touch,” GOVOT murmured, marveling.

Then, Synesfrido told him to walk with his eyes closed. At first, he hesitated, but soon, his hearing sharpened, perceiving the rustling of leaves, the distant song of a bird, the sound of the river in the background. It was as if the world spoke to him through sounds, a harmonious melody that he had not heard with such clarity and harmony.

Later, Synesfrido suggested that he walk backward. GOVOT, bewildered, agreed, and immediately felt the smells that had gone unnoticed begin to come to life. The earthy aroma of wet leaves, the sweet perfume of nearby flowers, and the freshness of the humidity-laden air enveloped him in a whirlwind of olfactory sensations.

Finally, Synesfrido proposed something even more daring.

“Take this notebook,” he said, handing him a small pad and a pencil. While you walk, write. Write what you feel, what you perceive, without stopping.

GOVOT obeyed, and as he moved forward, the pencil moved on its own, guided by something deeper. As he walked and wrote, flavors revealed themselves to him: he could “taste” the sweet bitterness of the air, the metallic taste of the sun on his skin, and the cool touch of morning dew.

When they finally stopped, GOVOT was exhausted, but filled with a new range of sensory (synaesthetic) experiences.

—Do you see it? said Synesfrido, smiling. Walking has allowed you to synchronize and harmonize your senses, it has given you a rhythm. Now you can live in harmony with what you perceive. Walk, GOVOT, because it is the only path to true synesthesia, to true connection.

GOVOT gratefully agreed. He didn’t feel too dazed anymore. Now he understood that walking would help him strengthen his path towards sensory balance.

The day had turned into a serene evening, with the sky painted in shades of purple and orange, and as the two friends walked away down the path, Synesfrido knew that he had planted the seed of something greater: the wisdom of walking, of reading the world through the senses, writing about it, and drawing it with each step taken.

This meeting between Sinesfrido and GOVOT reminds us that walking not only takes us to a physical destination, but also awakens and harmonizes the senses.

Dear reader, whatever your pace, whether slow or fast, with your eyes closed or drawing in a notebook, let your feet take you to experience the world in new and extraordinary ways!

Let your steps take you further than your thoughts and imagination can take you.

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🔊 Listen to Post

Walking is an activity that, although everyday, can become a deeply musical experience. Our feet, when they touch the ground, create a natural rhythm, a percussion that resonates with each step. This percussion is the soundtrack of our walk, an endless number of cadences that form a unique symphony.

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Normally we hear the percussive sound (percussion) of our footsteps, however, sometimes that sound is inaudible. We hear them inside our body, not with the auditory sense but within our bodily interiority. It is an internal rhythm within our body. We make our steps with our own compass (The Compass of Footsteps). It must be considered that the beat is not an appropriate concept for the activity of walking, because it is reserved for music. Well, I would like to mention and emphasize that walking as a natural (instinctive) activity does include musicalization and is therefore performed by marking a beat. And it is a percussive musical beat (percussion). One could still add that as percussive (percussion) it does not entail notes; this is true. Then someone else might still ask: Is it music or is it not music? Of course it is music and it makes us walk with our own unique musical percussion, because it contains a percussive cadence that implies a rhythm (Rhythm and Cadence), but also organization and harmony. In percussive music (percussion) it involves rhythm and time periods. An arrangement that leads to intonation and harmony. It is the series of percussive sounds (percussion) that are performed in a standardized and regular way. The percussive cadence (percussion) in walking also implies the movement that is made with the body to match the intonation (tones) that is produced with the steps. It is the perfect and normal distribution and organization of the sounds generated by the steps and movements of the body as a whole. This cadence when walking can normally be combined with sounds, movements and pauses, in both cadence spheres, which participate in physical and auditory intonation, in full harmony. It is the normal harmonization that the body achieves when walking, when taking steps to a musical rhythm and compass.

Every time our feet hit the ground (Our Feet Percussion), they produce sounds that vary in pitch and intensity. This phenomenon, known as the percussion of our feet, resembles a constant drumming that sets the rhythm of our movement. The music we make when walking is subtle but constant, a melody that accompanies our thoughts and emotions. That is why walking is a source of healing for our morbid emotions (Posts EMOTIONS AND THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM; THE POWER OF EMOTIONS; AUTOLIBERATION OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONS THROUGH SELF SUGGESTIONABILITY; FIGHTING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS WITH THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM, SOLUTION TO PROCRASTINATION).

This rhythm is not only perceived externally; it has a deep connection with our body, it has an intrinsic relationship with our organism, as a whole: physical and mental. Walking activates various body systems, from cardiovascular to muscular, promoting blood circulation and improving oxygenation of our tissues. Additionally, the percussion of our feet can resonate with some of our internal organs. For example, a constant, balanced rhythm can help regulate breathing and stabilize heart rate, promoting a general state of well-being.

The footsteps have their own beat, their own rhythm and cadence. This beat can vary depending on the speed and intensity of our walk. A slow, leisurely pace may have a more relaxed, almost meditative beat, while a fast, energetic step has a faster, more vibrant rhythm. Finding our own compass when walking is essential to maintaining good health and enjoying the act of walking.

The rhythm of our walk is defined by the frequency with which we take our steps. Maintaining a constant rhythm helps our body adapt and optimize its functioning. The cadence, on the other hand, is the regularity with which these steps occur. A balanced, natural cadence is crucial to avoiding injury and maximizing the benefits of walking.

Huizinga in his book HOMO LUDENS (p. 222), comments: The same rhythm that “contains” the body, always, from the most remote times, which has manifested itself in the manufacture of food (archaic era), in an instinctive way. , we also observe that it is done by the body, unconsciously (imperceptibly), when walking.

“Sounds are eternal units that reside in the mind, in the interiority of the being, entities that participate in creation when they are emitted by the voice or received by the ear. It seems that someone whispered to us advising that the highest art, the best art, is that which is performed with the greatest number of human senses. And therefore, we could venture to say that the rhythm in corporeal movements has a profound and subtle effect on the preparation of the dishes. That rhythmic faculty, sensation and capacity are determining factors in the being for this. I do not wish to expand further on this, but I do wish to comment that the activities that take place in the kitchen, aimed at preparing food, have always been carried out in the company (association, adhesion) of work songs and tunes (tunes) since ancient times. oldest and in very primitive activities such as mashing, grinding, cutting, kneading, crushing, combining, chopping, beheading, cutting off, mutilating, topping, slicing, carving, mixing, baking, roasting, and all of them surely had a compass, a song, a rhythm, a melody, that accompanied and led them.”(1)

It is truly challenging and motivating to think that we can walk to the rhythm of our own beats.

Generally, when we walk freely we do so at a beat that our body defines unconsciously. When we are not conditioned and forced to a rhythm imposed by the group of people walking next to us, or by the deafening traffic driving a disconcerting dynamic, we can manage to walk – we say – at our own rhythm.

The easiest way to become aware of one’s own beat is to think that our feet can achieve a percussive system (percussion) that is animated by beats that encourage us to do so.

That form will be in compasses of the binary type, where it ends in a pair, and repeating the beat to infinity; however, it will also be possible to make compasses where one of the feet does not settle as well as its pair, and repeating also this beat to infinity.

“A particular habit is a sustained rhythm, where all acts are repeated, fairly exactly equaling their novelty value, but without ever losing that dominant character of being novel” (pp. 61-62). THE INTUITION OF THE INSTANT, F.C.E., Mexico, 1987 (1932 in French), Gaston Bachelard.

Walking with rhythm is pacing our body as if we were instituting (establishing) a musical compass, of any kind, in our walk.

This allows us to put our entire body in motion, as well as each part that makes it up, with a cadence (beat) while we walk.

We have learned that cadence that we use (and use) when walking over millions of years.

“The human being is an integral sum of rhythms” ; “Chronotropisms will be those that integrate habits into that integral sum of rhythms that form the being”, THE INTUITION OF THE INSTANT, F.C.E., Mexico, 1987 (1932 in French), Gaston Bachelard, p. 64, 65.

YIN YANG

We could equate (compare) this harmony that we achieve with walking (with walking) through the analogy with the Chinese Yin and Yang (Post WALKING AND SEXUALITY), which They are two principles that go hand in hand in life, and keep the individual, male or female, in balance – harmonious and dynamic – with their complementary counterpart (Future Post THE PATH OF TAO: ANCESTRAL WISDOM OF WALKING).

“Walking on the shady side of the mountain (YIN) or walking on the sunny side of the mountain (YANG)”, History of Philosophies, 21st century, volume I, p. 233, 237, 255.

YANG: Sure, positive, masculine, active. Cosmological force or active and masculine principle in Taoism. See Yin. Jung, Psychological Types, Volume I, . 290.

Walking with a beat (rhythm, cadence) – any one – is a simile of dynamic balance movement, comparable to maintaining the rhythm (beat, cadence) of life (vital rhythm). That compass that we implement when walking, we always perform – consciously or unconsciously – in order to give our physical organism and its component parts a dynamic strength, and likewise, our mind a stable and harmonious balance.

LEGS AND ARMS IN THE YIN AND YANG

On the other hand, we must point out that walking with our own rhythm implies a synchronization of various parts of the body and fundamentally of the upper and lower extremities. For example, the natural coordination of the movement of the opposite leg and arm, i.e., when the right leg is forward it is done naturally with the left arm, and when the left leg is placed in the forward part of the body it is accompanied by the right arm.

We can compare both legs to these two natural principles: the left leg corresponds to Yin, that is, to the woman, and the right leg relates (refers) to Yang, to the man.

Both parts exercise (work) together when walking, with a certain compass (rhythm, cadence).

As we can see in the previous figures, the right leg and the left arm are balanced forward, while their opposite ones are backward, and vice versa.

Generally speaking, it is unhealthy for the social environment to impose its rhythm on us  in all its indications and manifestations: in eating, at work, in transportation, in walking itself, etc.; we must impose our rhythm, and the first thing we have to start with is walking with our own rhythmic cadence, with our own natural walk.

ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS TO WALK IN OUR OWN COMPASS

To walk according to our own beat and ensure that it is healthy, it is important to adopt certain attitudes and actions:

1. Listen to Our Body: Pay attention to how we feel when walking. If we feel tired or in pain, it is important to adjust our pace.

2. Adopt Good Posture: Maintaining an upright and relaxed posture helps you walk more efficiently and avoids unnecessary tension.

3. Breathe Deeply: Deep, regular breathing synchronized with our steps can improve our oxygenation and reduce stress.

4. Wear Appropriate Footwear: Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning helps protect our feet and maintain a healthy pace.

5. Practice Mindfulness: Being present in the moment, enjoying the environment and the act of walking, can transform our walk into a more pleasant and meaningful experience (Post WALKING WITH THE TREES).

6. Vary the Terrain and Pace: Changing the terrain (such as walking in parks, beaches or trails) and varying the pace from time to time can make the walk more interesting and beneficial (Post WALKING BAREFOOT. PART I . Types of soil).

In conclusion, the percussion of our feet when walking is an intrinsic melody to our existence, an intimate connection between our body and the environment. Finding and walking at our own compass not only improves our physical health, but also allows us to fully enjoy every step we take.

Let’s go out for a walk with our own compass and listen to how it beats.

(1)Loya Lopategui, Carlos, Cocinopea, EMULISA, México, 2011, p. 9

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