This visualization meditation is designed to release tension throughout the body while on a dog walk, or sitting with a dog next to you. This guided body scan will slowly, from head to toe, recognize where you may be holding stress and imagine releasing tightness with each exhale. By allowing the body to decompress mindfully, you will be left feeling grounded and centered. When we are calm and stress-free, our dogs tend to reflect back a similar demeanor. 

For detailed show notes, visit dogwalkmeditation.com/episodes/s2-stress-relief-body-scan

Season 2 of the Dog Walk Meditation podcast is guided by Annette McGivney, who has been practicing meditation since she was young, finding calm while exploring the woods with her dog during a difficult childhood. Annette has studied Zen Buddhism for the last fifteen years, but her favorite contemplative practice is daily hikes outside in nature with her dog running off-leash, as she has done all her life. 

Annette is also an award-winning journalist and book author. She is the  Southwest Editor for Backpacker Magazine and contributes articles to Outside Magazine, New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, and more. Her reporting covers investigations of environmental issues, the rights of indigenous peoples, and the outdoor/hiker lifestyle. She has written several books connected to life outdoors, and her most recent book, Pure Land, won the National Outdoor Book Award. 

This show is a spinoff series of the Dog Save The People podcast, which features uplifting interview stories about how life is better with a dog. Both shows are original podcast series created by As It Should Be Productions.

Dog Walk Meditation website
Guidance on Off-Leash Dog Walks
Annette McGivney website
Annette McGivney on Instagram
Dog Save The People website
Dog Save The People on Instagram
Dog Save The People on Facebook
Dog Save The People on Twitter
Dog Save The People interview with Annette McGivney

00:00 - Intro
01:32 - Meditation Begins
07:14 - Closing