It's all about the walk...

As the iconic Sheila Barker always says, "It's all about the walk." A performer telling a story on stage, a dancer drawing the audience in with a mere step, a singer moving towards the mic to begin their ballad...they all think about one big thing. The walk. We spend so much time just walking with power, intrigue, and authenticity in performance. But, walking holds even more power than that.

Walking has been proven as one of the top forms of fitness suggested for any human in any walk of life. Athletic walking for as little as 20 minutes a day can be one of the best movement practices you can do. Walking has been shown to boost immune function, increase mobility, improve mental health, increase energy, stimulate blood flow, support memory functions, and promote healthy muscle use. Plus! It's free to walk!

We at T.A.P. love a daily walk to clear the brain and move the body. But, when I moved to NYC it became hard to go on walks because of the amount of walking asked for during a commute. It became easy to choose not to go on a normal walk after a day trudging around the city with a giant dance back, make-up on my face, and the stress of the work shift after my audition. But, this is when I started realizing the value of going on a speedy walk without the commute aspect, without the bags on my shoulder, and with the intention of clearing my brain. Suddenly, I started doing a daily walk to encourage muscle and brain relaxation. I suddenly found my mood and energy increased for further production and rehearsal later in the day. 

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If you (like me) find it hard to get motivated to have a daily walk, take a look at our suggestions below!

1. Find a route that brings JOY! Even in the middle of downtown Astoria, I found a lap that took me to Kaufman Film Studios. It brings me joy to look at the studio buildings. Or, I love my lap to the waterfront, giving me a view of the water, and a trail with a fresh breeze.

2. Pack a bottle of water or electrolytes. Then, you won't get too thirsty and can maybe even go for longer!

3. Add an exciting treat into the excursion! There is so much fun in grabbing a yummy beverage at the start of the walk to enjoy during the venture.

4. Grab a buddy. As performers, we barely ever have time to catch up with friends and loved ones. So! Whether its over the phone or in-person, have someone join you on your walk.

5. Get excited to vibe!! Grab a playlist, podcast, or book on tape to totally get drawn in to. We recommend talking a break from "career-based" content and screen-time, all in an effort to give the brain a true break. We even have a great walking playlist with some of our favorite jams: Spotify

6. Choose an outfit. Find comfy clothes, great sneakers, and (if needed) pull your hair up in a way that makes you feel put together versus thrown. This bit of "prep" will motivate you to look good and feel good, and you are gonna be comfortable in your own skin. Stay tuned to T.A.P for great sneaker recs.

7. Stretch afterwards. :) Our bodies can tense up so much after any type of movement. But, after our 20-min. walk, we challenge you to stretch for only 10-min. to release the body and truly cool down. Check out our ON-DEMAND videos for some great stretching options!

This week, be sure to tag T.A.P. during your walk!!

Sending good moving vibes!

Abbi

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Sources:
Harvard Health: 5 surprising benefits of walking
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking

American Heart Association: Why Is Walking the Most Popular Form of Exercise?
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/walking/why-is-walking-the-most-popular-form-of-exercise

British Heart Association: 6 surprising health benefits of walking
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/activity/6-surprising-health-benefits-of-walking

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