Running and Meditation
A Marriage Made in Heaven

FTC Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying  purchases. Learn more

Running and meditation work together so well that each one improves the other. Meditate while running to create more peaceful and enjoyable runs while improving your running ability and reducing injuries. Running while meditating also improves your ability to stay in the present moment, increases body awareness and calms your mind.

If you struggle with meditative running, our Guided Running Meditation (link below) can help you have more peaceful, enjoyable and injury free runs!


Amazon Outlet Pink

Meditative running can link our spiritual and physical presence in a method similar to some of the martial arts. Tai Chi is a meditative Chinese martial art. It combines use of the breath, angled positions and weight shifting in continuous movement to develop a strong awareness of self. It is done outdoors whenever possible to increase awareness with the presence of nature. Originally, the ultimate goal of Tai Chi was to go beyond the physical experience and develop your form, mind and energy flow to become one.

Running and Meditation

Running provides a great opportunity to do meditation. As when practicing Tai Chi, we can focus on our breath and our form as we continuously move forward. It is easier to become aware of our body during running. We can be more easily distracted from our mind as we focus on our muscles and all the sensations we feel as we move.

During running, there is an increased flow of blood to the brain. This reduces left brain functions, such as: solving technical problems, calculating numbers and analyzing information. This allows for an increase in right brain functions, such as: feelings, visualizations, intuition and imagination. That is the part of the brain that meditation needs to access. Running presents a unique opportunity to gain access to our intuitive side of the brain.

The Many Benefits of Running and Meditation

Running and meditation can provide the same benefits as a sitting meditation but it is so much easier to do and saves time. Running and meditation as one activity is certainly a positive example of of multi-tasking. 

How we deal with pain is often how we deal with life. If we can develop our ability to accept pain and physical discomfort, then we will no longer be afraid of pain. 

For running, this means your body is more relaxed and has less tension stored in your muscles, ligaments and joints. When you overcome the fear of pain, it removes tension in your body -- the tension that keeps you from running easily, efficiently and injury free.

With meditative running, your efficiency will improve as you will be running at a higher energy frequency. You will also experience better performances as you will have more control over your thoughts.

Other benefits of running and meditation include:

  • More peaceful and enjoyable runs
  • Reduced injuries
  • Learning how to become detached from our thoughts and let them go (as they are just thoughts)
  • Reduced worry, doubts, anxiety and negative thoughts
  • Learning how to stay in the present moment
  • Developing a relaxed body and a calm mind
  • Increased awareness of body and the life force within
  • Developing a higher sense of self as you connect to your inner self
  • More restful nights


How to Meditate while Running

Running and meditation go great together but as in all forms of meditation, it takes practice to learn this skill. It takes practice to be able to detach from our thoughts but that is the goal of meditation -- to stop our continuous brain chatter and listen.

Learn to listen to the silence and create the space that allows your inner voice to be heard. Meditation will take you more deeply into your body where you can access the wisdom of the body.

Guided Running Meditation

Begin your run as normal and after about five minutes, begin to focus on your breath. You can follow your breath as it enters and leaves your body or you can count your breath as you inhale and exhale if you find that easier, i.e. count to 10 and repeat.

Fully concentrate on your breath. If your mind begins to wander, just bring it back to the breath and accept that it is a learning process. Don't get frustrated or get down on yourself. Accept everything as it is and become focused again. Thoughts will always arise. Just become aware of them as an observer and then let them go. You may notice that some thoughts keep repeating themselves. These are probably the ones that have been negatively affecting you and how you run.

As you are learning, try to concentrate for short periods of time, rest and try it again. It will take time and patience to learn this skill, but the many benefits you will experience in running and in life will be worth it. As you continue to practice, you will learn to concentrate better and become less attached to your thoughts.

Tips to enhance your running and meditation:

  1. While you are focusing on your breath, develop an awareness of everything -- your body as it moves, how your feet feel as they hit the ground, the environment, all sounds -- everything that is present in this moment. Focusing on the present is necessary to let go of all thoughts.
  2. When running becomes difficult and you feel tired, accept and focus on your temporary state of tiredness. Accepting it will help you to overcome it. Use this affirmation: This too will pass.
  3. If you feel pain during your run, it is a reminder to go back and focus on your breath. Pain can keep you present. Just as suffering in the world exists to bring us back to conscious awareness, running pain can be used to bring us back to our own awareness and breath. Whenever you experience pain, don't resist it. Accept it to transcend it. Note: Vipassana Meditation is a meditation practice that specifically focuses on overcoming pain and physical discomforts.
  4. During your running meditation, feel the overwhelming joy within as you connect to your inner body awareness, strengthening your ability to remain in the present moment.
  5. Speed is not important to this practice. It doesn't matter what how fast or slow you run, but it needs to be at a comfortable pace for you to allow you to move consciously keeping your focus on your breath, your body and the present moment.
  6. When your meditative run is completed, continue to allow the feelings of peace, contentment and joy fill you and overtake all other emotions for the remainder of the day and maybe even until your next meditative running session.

Keep practicing your running and meditation to enhance the joy of running and life -- simultaneously!

Namaste!

If you still more help with this skill, try our Guided Running Meditation or a Loving Kindness Meditation for Runners!

You might like these

Related articles and pages:

Learn to Run Mindfully

The 12 Best Meditation Apps

5 Ways Mindfulness Can Enhance Your Running Experience

Shambhala Meditation

Dealing with Chronic Pain Through Meditation

Mindful Eating

Benefits of Meditation

Back to top of Running and Meditation

Back to Running Injury Free



FTC Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying  purchases. Learn more

NEW FEATURE - DISQUS COMMENTS!

Be the first to comment.
Login using Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus.

Loading Comments
#disqus_thread { min-height: 200px; }

Recent Articles

  1. It's an Awesome Product!

    Aug 28, 25 09:25 AM

    My iPhone 16 fits perfectly!
    I went out for a walk this morning and I used the #PRPocket for the first time. I had to check at least 3 times because I thought I lost my phone (iPhone

    Read More

  2. Running in Hot Weather: What Every Runner Needs to Know!

    Aug 14, 25 01:00 PM

    Female running on bridge with colorful flowers

    Hot summer runs can feel brutal—but they don’t have to be. With the right strategies, you can keep your pace steady, your body cool, and your mindset strong.

    Read More

  3. Sick of Dieting? You’re Not Alone — And There Is a Better Way.

    Jul 30, 25 12:18 PM

    Young woman happy after losing weight

    It's not your willpower that’s the problem — it’s your subconscious beliefs. I help people reprogram the beliefs that keep them stuck, so they can finally lose weight for good — without the constant…

    Read More

  4. Tips and Drills to Improve Your Running Cadence

    Jul 25, 25 12:52 PM

    Runner demonstrating quick, light steps to improve running cadence

    Learn how small changes can help you run faster, reduce injury, and feel stronger on every run.

    Read More

  5. Give Yourself a Self-Myofascial Release at Home with a Foam Roller!

    Jun 28, 25 07:19 AM

    Female athlete using foam roller to prevent running injuries

    Feeling sore after a run? Don’t skip your recovery! Foam rolling is one of the easiest ways to release tight muscles, boost flexibility, and prevent injuries.

    Read More

  6. The Overlooked Key to Better Performance and Fewer Injuries

    Jun 13, 25 01:13 PM

    Male runner on beach  running relaxed and injury free

    Most runners focus on building strength, endurance, and speed—but there’s a hidden performance booster that often gets ignored: relaxation.

    Read More

  7. 5 Ways to Speed Injury Recovery!

    May 02, 25 01:30 PM

    Smiling and happy female runner running injury free

    Struggling with a running injury and feeling frustrated or stuck? Let's take charge of our own healing so we can quickly recover from any running injury!

    Read More

  8. Want to Run Stronger and Feel Better Doing It?

    Apr 19, 25 10:14 AM

    Female runner feeling happy proud at finishing line

    Discover how positive affirmations for running can completely shift your mindset and transform your runs—from start to finish.

    Read More

  9. Do You or Someone you Know Suffer from Achilles Tendonitis?

    Mar 28, 25 03:14 PM

    Diagram of Achilles Tendon problems and Tendonitis

    Find out more about this frustrating condition, including why active recovery is essential and exercises to speed recovery.

    Read More

  10. Every runner needs to master this essential drill!

    Mar 17, 25 01:55 PM

    Young male runner running fast on a road on a beautiful sunny day

    The 100-Up exercise is a highly effective drill that enhances both running technique and performance. It can be practiced indoors or outdoors, and it also serves as a valuable tool for injury recover…

    Read More