Bhubaneswar, April 5: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA’s) first ever Acupressure Walkways in the city get encouraging response from morning walkers at Biju Patnaik Park.
After setting up open air gyms in 26 parks and skating rinks in two major parks, this is another innovative step taken by the development authority to keep the citizens of the State Capital fit and healthy. The two walkways, each of around 27meters have been created in the middle of the sitting arena near the Biju Patnaik statue in this park which is also popularly known as Forest Park.
BDA sources said work started around November 2017 for the Pilot Acupressure Walkways, which was completed in February this year. While one is of 27 metres in length, the other one is of 27.5 metres. People have started using it from February-end. The total cost of the facility is around Rs 6.7 lakh.
As one of the major parks in the city, Biju Patnaik Park with a sprawling 22 acres, now has several innovative facilities including the Acupressure Walkways, Open Air Gym along with separate “morum’’ jogging track and concrete and tiled walk path, among others. The children’s play area in the park also attracts hundreds of kids and their parents, everyday.
The Acupressure Walkways, according to BDA Chief Horticulturist (in-charge) Ashokananda Dhar, “are also known as “Reflexology Foot Paths”. Especially designed with soft, smooth, river rocks or cobblestone, the Acupressure pathways or walkways provide unique massage experience to the feet as they stimulates acupressure points on the soles of the feet. As per scientific studies, acupressure points on human feet are connected to various energy meridians of the body.
According to Acupressure.com “an acupressure point actually has two identities and ways of working. When you stimulate a point in the same area where you feel pain or tension, it’s called a local point. That same point can also relieve pain in a part of the body that is distant from the point, in which case it is called a trigger point. This triggering mechanism works through a human electrical channel called a meridian.’’
The meridians, on the other hand, are pathways that connect the acupressure points to each other as well as to the internal organs. Just as blood vessels carry the blood that nourishes the body physically, the meridians are distinct channels that circulate electrical energy throughout the body. They are thought to be part of a master communications system of universal life energy, connecting the organs with all sensory, physiological, and emotional aspects of the body. This physical network of energy also contains key points that we can use to deepen our spiritual awareness as we heal ourselves.
“We have created two pathways in Biju Patnaik Park to provide a more relaxing and comfortable experience by walking barefoot or with shocks. From kids to the elderly persons all can benefit from the facility as it has a very effective neuro-motor effect on human beings,’’ the senior BDA officials observed.
As per traditional practice the Chinese indigenous healing system advocates use of acupressure and Reflexology Foot Paths or Acupressure Walkways are very popular in China. It helps people keeping their nuero-motor balance and hence getting the person relaxation as he or she moves on the path.
As per scientific studies carried out across the world, walking on a cobblestone mat surface resulted in significant reduction in blood pressure, and improvement in balance and physical performance among the senior citizens.
Appreciating the BDA initiative Sujata Kamalini, a young working woman residing in nearby Ratha Road and a regular morning walker at Biju Patnaik Park says, this unique walkway is getting crowded day by day with more walkers opting for it and personally I feel better and lighter after 10 minutes of walk on this walkway.
Prabir Mohapatra from Old Town area goes to Biju Patnaik Park every day in the morning for a walk. “After the walk I along with my friends stroll along the acupressure walkways as they provide a relaxed feeling. It’s a very nicely initiative by the authorities of the Smart City.”
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