Running with Mindfulness: Dynamic Running Therapy (DRT) to Improve Low-mood, Anxiety, Stress, and Depression

by William Pullen

This perfect gift for runners delves into the positive effect of running therapy, including anxiety relief and reduced stress by focusing on the meditative nature of exercise. This running workbook allows you to practice mindfulness in your everyday routine, whether you prefer an afternoon stroll or a morning jog. Movement is medicine. Letting your mind wander as you take a long walk, a slow jog, or a brisk run can give you a powerful, uplifting feeling. Some call it a runner’s high, others attribute it to endorphins. In this interactive workbook, psychotherapist William Pullen teaches you how to channel that exhilarating energy and use it to make positive change in your life. This radical new approach to obtaining the benefits of mindfulness originates in the body itself. Using a combination of mindfulness, focused questions, and exercise, Dynamic Running Therapy (DRT) has proven to be a simple, intuitive, effective, and therapeutic method for managing stress, trauma, anxiety, anger, depression, and other conditions. With carefully tailored thought exercises to be implemented while on a run or walk, DRT brings the mind into perfect harmony with the body through the healing experience of mindful running.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2017

Reviews

[Elwin Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a self-help/motivational book that is essentially about combining running with Taoism.

I absolutely loved it. As a big fan of most (not quite all) of the concepts within Taoism and with a new present motivation to run more and focus fire on fitness, reading this book hits me with impeccable timing and a place in my life where this was a perfect fit.

This book has inspired me to make a goal of 3 days a week, 60 minute sessions of DRT (or DMT, Dynamic Movement Therapy, as I would like to call it, because it doesn't have to be running... it could be hiking, rucking, cycling, swimming, rowing, even hitting a punching bag).

Another great highlight of this book is it gives some exercises to perform while you are doing your DRT/DMT. For example, focusing internally from the top down (head to feet), focusing externally (surroundings, etc), and then finally focusing on your mental/emotional state... all of course with the flow and guidance of Tao.

All in all, this book is quite amazing and I really think it could not only change ones mindfulness (if they actually buy-in), it could also dramatically improve ones physical health as well if you start practicing DRT/DMT on a regular/weekly basis.

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this book.

Highly recommend!

[Trish at Between My Lines · Rating 3 out of 5]

During my time with this book, I changed from a runner to a walker due to injury.

However the mindfulness exercises, worked really well on my walks too, or even when just sitting.

I suffer from anxiety and found some great coping skills that I can apply before and after my walks. To be honest, I found this was more of a therapeutic book, than a book about running. And that suited me well.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a mix of mindfulness and running ideas, but doesn't get super deep into either one. Essentially, the idea is to use mindful running as a form of therapy - so your physical movement is your therapist, not another person. (However, there is an entire chapter on how to use DRT with a running buddy that was interesting and seems legit and doable).

Dynamic Running Therapy is an interesting idea and I'm excited to give it a try. The book is set up almost like a workbook with a bunch of questions to answer and space to answer them then add your own questions and thoughts. If it works for you, it'll be the cheapest and most healthy therapy ever!

I recommend a printed or kindle copy of this one over the audio version because you're going to want to take notes and/or go back and refer to the questions in each chapter over and over again as you progress on your DRT journey.

[Claudia Blanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book might be called Running With Mindfulness, it is more a book about overcoming depression and anxiety - which is all great - then a book on integrating the practice of running and mindfulness. It missed its mark, in that regard, so even with all of the helpful information hidden within its pages, I was not happy with it - simply because did not fulfill its promise. If you are looking for a book on mindfulness or running, or the combination of both, you won’t find answers in this book.

I received this book for free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Becky Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pullen's book confirms something I've suspected ever since I began running competitively almost 20 years ago: running is inherently healing and cathartic. Somewhat of a paradox, given the beating that many of us put our bodies through to get faster, this concept has proven true time and time again, often without my awareness. How many times have I taken off on a run, feeling sluggish or down, and felt worlds better as I found my rhythm? And how many deep, uninhibited conversations have I had on long runs or long hikes? More than I can count. In his book/workbook, Pullen reinforces the power of running with mindfulness, giving the reader tips for mastering the practice and reaping maximum benefits. After reading Running with Mindfulness, I'm convinced that the more mindfulness I can incorporate into my training and racing, the more I'll gain as a person and an athlete.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was more of a therapy book than a running book. It ended up talking so much about the things that make us sad and angry. Where was the running with mindfulness? Not until the very last quarter of the book were some running mindfully exercises explained. A let down of a book.
Favorite quote: "Trying to fix yourself means starting at a place where you are broken. This is the opposite of the self acceptance that sits at the heart of dynamic running therapy."

[Justine Oh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bookends with:-

'Remember, your path will continue to meander, your imperfection will remain. But as long as you practice self-acceptance, acknowledging who and what you are, you will always be enough just exactly as you are.'

I can't say it's the best of all mindfulness books but it sure has many encouraging statements. And it helps.

[Blackdogsworld · Rating 3 out of 5]

การวิ่งไม่ได้เป็นเพียงการวิ่ง หากยังเป็นหนทางในการทำความเข้าใจตนเอง และรับมือกับสภาวะทางจิตใจที่ก่อให้เกิดความทุกข์ หนังสือเล่มนี้นำเสนอหนึ่งในแนวทางอาศัยการวิ่งเพื่อจุดมุ่งหมายดังกล่าว แต่ละบทมีแนวทางที่แนะนำให้ปฏิบัติตามทีละขั้นตอน มันอาจไม่ได้เหมาะกับทุกคน แต่ก็น่าสนใจที่จะทดลองดูครับ

[Brooke Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I love the ideas behind it. I'm not really sure what else to say other than it's a great way to use running, and I would say you can apply the concepts to many forms of exercise to increase mindfulness in my life, as well as work through struggles I'm having throughout life.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's pretty clear about the science between mental health and exercise, can't say I was shocked to hear his stats about how running can help but I did think the book was a good reminder of the basics of mindfulness

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

could not get into this,,

[Chrystall Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts come easy while running and this book is a great guide for getting the most out of that process.

[Aja Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

love this. would like to refer back to it for some of the questions and techniques.

[Tony Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

audiobook. runners already know :)

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will have to re read soon!

[Julie Tuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Running/exercising has always been a huge part of life; I call it my free therapy. I will try the techniques from this book when I’m running, walking, or even sitting, to be more mindful. ❤️

[Frank Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less about running, more about talk therapy

[Beat Cab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great method to use your running pad to achieve mental success and peace.

[Liz DeLise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. A good reminder but not as detailed as I was hoping for.