The benefits of meditation are well documented and widely accepted around the world.  The considerable ease and low-to-no cost, make it accessible to almost everyone.  We've recently added a meditation session to our list of therapies at The Pointe and several residents have discovered that it helps them to relax.  Most people think of meditating and they imagine sitting with legs crossed on the floor. However, there are many ways in which to meditate.  Our residents did so while seated in their chairs (and even wheelchairs). A popular alternative to the traditional sitting is "walking meditation". 
For those people, such as myself, who find it hard to sit still for any length of time, walking meditation is a perfect option.  For people with arthritis or injuries, sitting on the floor may be uncomfortable or even impossible.  Walking can provide the action that some crave and even help to keep sore joints loose and muscles stretched.  The basic principals remain the same as for traditional meditating; mental focus, deep breathing and body awareness.
Gurucharan Singh Khalsa is a yoga expert who has been teaching walking meditation for 30 years.  The practice, called Breathwalk, focuses on synchronizing your steps with your breathing. This process not only provides the benefits of meditation, but also those of cardiovascular exercise.  Though Khalsa's Breathwalk,which includes warm up, cool down and stretching, can take up to an hour, it is easy to adopt your own routine and start at an easier level.  Here are suggestions for an easy, 5-minute routine:

Begin walking at a normal pace. Tune into the sensation of your body. Do you notice muscle tension anywhere? Visualize it melting away.

Focus on your breath. If it feels shallow or erratic, take a few deep breaths as you continue walking until your breathing becones slow, deep and even. If possible, breath through your nose instead of your mouth.

Synchronize your steps with your breath.  As you inhale, take 4 steps. Then, without holding your breath or breaking stride, exhale for 4 more steps. Continue this for several minutes and then walk and breathe normally. Take a moment to notice how you feel physically and emotionally.

It is important to avoid "daily thinking" and focus your mind on your body.  It will be common for the mind to wander; just gently bring it back into focus and do not get frustrated.  Over time, you will find it easier to maintain focus on the moment.

Do you have a unique way of meditating?  Have you experimented with meditation in the past? What were your results?