Student Centered: Science of Trail Therapy and its Spirituality
Lizzie Nelson
In my thesis paper for the end of the semester I decided to focus on the therapeutic aspects of hiking trails, specifically the Pacific Crest Trail, and how this very important motivator for some can relate to the spirituality we have discussed throughout class. In one article in particular I was reading, a blogger discusses the physical benefits of hiking these trails. She talks about how many studies have been discovered the multitude of positive effects on the body simply by getting steady the form of steady exercise we often see on trails, working all day but never quite getting to the point of total aerobic exhaustion, hopefully. The article discusses how oxygenation to the body’s muscles and organs is extremely beneficial to their overall well-being, this exercise also heats up the body and increases its T-cell function making it easier to kill off bacteria and other diseases. I found it fascinating how we have discussed such spiritual and theoretical topics like flow and untethered communication with nature and those around you, but we never thought to stop and discuss whether [art of this change is because pf the change occurring within our own bodies. Whether the fact that each step along these trails is healing our bodies first, thus leading to the openness of our minds.
In my thesis paper for the end of the semester I decided to focus on the therapeutic aspects of hiking trails, specifically the Pacific Crest Trail, and how this very important motivator for some can relate to the spirituality we have discussed throughout class. In one article in particular I was reading, a blogger discusses the physical benefits of hiking these trails. She talks about how many studies have been discovered the multitude of positive effects on the body simply by getting steady the form of steady exercise we often see on trails, working all day but never quite getting to the point of total aerobic exhaustion, hopefully. The article discusses how oxygenation to the body’s muscles and organs is extremely beneficial to their overall well-being, this exercise also heats up the body and increases its T-cell function making it easier to kill off bacteria and other diseases. I found it fascinating how we have discussed such spiritual and theoretical topics like flow and untethered communication with nature and those around you, but we never thought to stop and discuss whether [art of this change is because pf the change occurring within our own bodies. Whether the fact that each step along these trails is healing our bodies first, thus leading to the openness of our minds.
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