Walking the Land is an 8-week community program in which participants choose an area near their home to walk every day (or as close to every day as possible) during a chosen period of eight weeks.

The walk is intended to last at least 11 minutes, but longer is even better and less can work, too. If you have a yard, you can see if you can find a route that traverses every corner of the space around your home and takes at least 11 minutes. If you live in an apartment or have a very small yard, you can find a route that begins outside your door, or nearby, and encompasses as much open space as possible. You may decide to choose a route through a local park or conservation area, or simply around your neighborhood. The important aspect is to walk the same area every day in as natural a setting as is possible, but ultimately, any route is good.

During Your Walk

As You Walk

As you walk your circuit each day, pay attention to the ground beneath your feet, the weather, the more-than-human world that surrounds you, and the air and sky. Notice people you pass by, sounds you hear, the wind, precipitation, and sounds from traffic and airplanes. Notice trees, shrubbery, and herbs, and see what attracts your attention. As the days go by, consider what is happening to your feeling of connection to the land.

First Peoples

While walking, you may be drawn to think about the first peoples who walked this land before Europeans and others arrived. You can find a map here to identify the particular Indigenous lands you are on. Once you have this information, you can research specifics about the Native Nations that live in your area.

Journaling or Photographing

You may wish to record your experience and its impact on you through writing, drawing, videos, photographs, audio recordings, or other media. If at any point during your walking experience you are open to sharing your reflections in any media, please send them to us at Ma’yan Tikvah (or to your sponsoring organization).

A Community Experience

The intent of Walking the Land is for people to walk in the context of a community and to experience the walking and its impact on them with others, even if they are walking alone. Participants can choose to walk alone or in pairs or groups. The experience and the impact of Walking the Land are both likely to be somewhat different if it is done as a solo experience or with others.

Regardless of whether walking alone or with others, Land Walkers from a participating organization are encouraged to connect with each other and to share their experiences, including any obstacles to getting out each day. These connections are intended to encourage walkers to keep going and also to share the learnings, delights, surprises, or other notable experiences from their walking. People may choose to connect with one or two others, or with a whole group.

Enhancing Your Experience

Fundraising

A possible additional aspect of this project is to use it to raise funds for your organization as it shares its mission with the world. Each participant pledges a small donation to the sponsoring organization.

If you are walking with Ma’yan Tikvah, we hope you will make a donation.

Blessings Along the Way

Follow-up

After the eight weeks are over, groups who participated are encouraged to gather in person or virtually to allow people to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a facilitated conversation. Participants can share photos and videos, as well as describe their experiences, as the organization provides an opportunity for reflection on the overall impact of the experience on both individual participants and the organization as a whole.

Ma’yan Tikvah will be holding an event in January, and if you sign up, you will be notified.

You may wish to use the blessings found on the Ma’yan Tikvah website to enrich your experience. You can order Jewish Blessings for Nature Walks cards, tri-fold business card size with these blessings on them, in multiples of 10. The size of a business card, these tri-fold cards can be kept in your wallet for easy access when walking outside. Contact us to order.

You can find additional Jewish nature blessings and readings at:
https://jewishcamp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Brachot-for-Nature.pdf
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-earth-as-a-source-of-wonder

https://www.jewishunpacked.com/18-jewish-quotes-blessings-and-readings-for-earth-day/

Questions and Answers

Who Can Participate?

Walking the Land is also open to any individual who would like to participate. You can do so on your own, independently, or you can join with Ma’yan Tikvah or another organization to be part of a communal walking experience.

Walking the Land is also open to any organization that feels that it aligns with their values and mission. You can sign up your organization to participate and then adapt it to the needs of your community.

What is the time period?

You or your organization can choose any 8-week period you wish. Some possibilities include:

from October 31 until the first day of Hanukkah, December 26
from the day after the election until January 1, the last day of Hanukkah
starting on or after Thanksgiving

Any time period that works for you or your organization is the right time!

And don’t worry if you travel during the eight weeks. You can walk wherever you are!

Why Walk in Nature?

As you may know from personal experience, walking in nature has many benefits for the mind and body. Numerous studies have shown that nature not only improves concentration but cognitive function and memory as well. Walking in nature has a variety of health benefits, including reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, improving heart health and circulation as well as lowering cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure. Plus, it feels good! Even a 5-minute walk in nature can improve our mood, self-esteem and help us relax, all of which reduces stress and lowers cortisol levels.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/naturesbenefits.htm

https://www.travelbugtonic.com/blog/walking-and-wellbeing

Why 11 Minutes?

Some studies have shown that walking just 11 minutes a day can lower the risk of early death by 23%. It also reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 17% and certain cancers by 7%. While walking more can raise these percentages, fitting 11 minutes of walking into a daily routine is easier and therefore more consistent.

https://www.eatingwell.com/walking-minutes-day-add-years-to-life-7229325

Why Walk Right After Rising?

Walking outside has many health benefits no matter what time of day but walking first thing in the morning, within an hour of rising can help naturally boost your energy all day, help set you up to make healthier choices the rest of the day, help you sleep better, and leave you feeling less sleep-deprived. Getting outdoors the first thing in the morning can improve mental health and reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes, as well

https://www.womanandhome.com/health-wellbeing/benefits-of-an-early-morning-walk/

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/morning-light-better-sleep

Why Walk Right After Eating?

Going for a walk in nature right after eating can help aid the body in healthy digestion by promoting stimulation of the stomach. Walking right after eating can also help improve blood sugar management as well as help regulate blood pressure.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/walking-after-eating

Why Walk Alone?

Walking alone can offer moments of peace and quiet allowing people to visualize and self-reflect. Since it is on only one person’s terms, confidence can be built by keeping and increasing the pace when right for that person. Solo walking also allows the person to experience nature the way they want (stop to look at certain flowers, leaves, mushrooms, etc) as well as being able to fit into a person’s schedule with ease.

Why Walk with Someone?

While solo walking has its own benefits, walking with one or more people also has many positives. Walking with a group of friends is a great form of socialization. Socializing has been shown to fend off isolation and loneliness which has its own set of health benefits. Walking with people may feel safer as well as provide a sense of accountability and motivation.

Some Jewish Sources Related to Walking

Genesis 24:63

וַיֵּצֵ֥א יִצְחָ֛ק לָשׂ֥וּחַ בַּשָּׂדֶ֖ה לִפְנ֣וֹת עָ֑רֶב וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּ֥ה גְמַלִּ֖ים בָּאִֽים׃

And Isaac went out walking in the field toward evening and, looking up, he saw camels approaching.

Rashi on Gen. 24:63

TO MEDITATE — this means “to pray” (Genesis Rabbah 60:14), as we find (Psalms 102:1) “[A prayer of the afflicted …] when he pours forth his plaint.

Sforno on Gen. 24:63

AND ISAAC WENT OUT WALKING – he had detoured from his regular path to the field in order to pour out his heart to G’d in prayer. He did not want to be interrupted in his devotion by passing travelers whom he would have to greet. This was in spite of the fact that he had already prayed in Beer lachay Ro-i, and his prayer had been answered already.

Exodus 3:5

And [G!d] said [to Moses], “Do not come closer. Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.”

Deuteronomy 28:9

Adonai will establish you as G!d’s holy people, as was sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of your G!d Adonai and walk in G!d’s ways.

Additional Resources

52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy by Annabel Streets

Wanderlust: The History of Walking, by Rebecca Solnit

Walking: One Step at a Time by Erling Kagge

How to Walk by Thich Nhat Hanh

Ma'yan Tikvah