We’re moving right along so it’s time for something different – or maybe for you it’s not. It’s not trite to say the even something you may have been doing habitually becomes new when approached with open eyes. There’s a good chance if you’ve been walking or running for a long time you’ve tried walking or jogging backwards both to loosen and strengthen muscles.
In Europe it’s common and called retro-walking or retro-running. There’s evidence that it was even done in ancient China. It’s simple: turn around and walk backwards. Practice pushing off for a couple of steps, then turn around and continue for a while the usual way. Then once again, 180 degree turn – a few more steps. Of course do this where it’s safe – not in the street or on a crowded sidewalk or steep trail.
It’s good on a couple of levels. Physically, it uses and fires muscles in a different order, releasing built up tensions and even minor cramps. Mentally, one has to consciously coordinate the movements of hands and legs in addition to maintaining ones balance.
However there’s another aspect of going backwards that’s perhaps more important: It gives you a chance to see where you have been and how far you have come. It connects you with your past and lets you see things from a different direction. And subtly you soon realize that you’re not going to compete in any kind of backwards race – no need to backward run anyone into the ground. And how about recognizing that you’ve given yourself a chance to be silly and have NOT been destroyed!
In case you’re curious, in 1915 Patrick Harmon accepted a challenge and walked backwards from San Francisco to New York. He completed the 3,900 mile walk in 290 days.
Now for the fun part – or another interesting aspect. We could repost any of the pictures of the paths we used with the previous two essays and indicate that these were the paths walked backwards. But could you tell? (Perhaps yes if there were snow on the ground or you looked closely at the footprints in the sand.) But taking in the pictures at a glance I doubt there’d be a sign – and that’s even if there were directional arrows on posts alongside the trail, for alas, too many people disregard laws, when driving and even more so when walking! Could you really tell if you were coming or going? If there were stairs or hills: did you just get to the top or were you contemplating going down?
Ah. And now reading this (probably not while walking or retro-walking) let’s give some thought what this may mean in life. If we’re here NOW, we can look back and see the difficult and dangerous terrain we’re already traveled. For those of you who have served – WOW. So when you turn around, more than a couple of pats on the back. You’ve the strength and courage to go forward. And even if we didn’t see combat – or are civilians – hey, life is a battle, no shit, don’t need live rounds coming in. We all take hits from life’s incoming events. It’s always been that way and certainly seems as if it will stay that way!
The point here is we’ve proven we can persevere – find the strength for the next step by ourselves or with the help of friends and others. And if we need to call in the heavy artillery, pick up the phone, reach out and call someone!
Now here’s a fun exercise. Take one of those pictures or another of a trail or path from a magazine or online. Look at it for a while. Put one finger on one end and then another finger (use a different hand) on the other end – probably the sides of the picture. Slowly move your gaze from one side to the other along the path. Take in as much as you can. Repeat once or twice, same direction. OK. Close your eyes. Take a couple of deep breaths. Open them. Fingers back in place but this time walk the path in the opposite direction. Again, repeat. Close your eyes. Don’t think about it. Get up and go for a walk! Later see what your back brain has done with the paper walk. There’s no right or wrong answer!
And I had another back-brainer thinking of some pics my wife can shoot for this retro-walking essay. Try this. Think of your house, apartment, car, wherever you may be sleeping as home base, a bull’s eye. Next time you leave, turn around in a couple of spots and walk backwards – you’re leaving. Do it the last time when you feel you’re completely left the target, say reached the sidewalk, or the corner of your block. Note what you’re feeling. There’s no right or wrong answer. Try it again in a week, a good day vs bad day etc. I’m going to try it myself. Just a few safe steps backward. Good luck.
Here’s some ammunition for your walk – little acts of loving kindness. As simple as smiling at people you meet or picking up a piece of litter to dispose of properly later.
Enjoy your walk; all your steps are going to be steps in the right direction!
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Ken was a Professor of Mathematics, a ceramicist, a welder, and an IBMer until downsized in 2000. He taught yoga until COVID-19 decided otherwise. He continues writing, living with his wife and beagle in Shorewood, Wisconsin. He enjoys chamber music and mysteries. He’s a homebrewer and runs whitewater rivers. Ken is a writer and his literary works can be found at https://www.kmkbooks.com/
He welcomes feedback on his articles and can be reached at havokjournal@havokmedia.com.
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