When I run in my dreams it alway seems to be on all fours. I walk upright, but when I run, I go down to all fours. Last night I dreamt that I was in a huge warehouse on some scaffolding. I crashed to the ground (on purpose) bringing many shelves down with me and starting the building on fire. As I ran out, it was on all fours. I have had several different dreams with me running on all fours.

I would like to know what anybody might think running on all fours means. Any ideas?

Running on all fours makes me think about reverting to an "animal" state. Is there anything else about you that is different in the dreams than in real life?

hmm

I am able to jump huge distances when on all fours. Sometimes it feels strange to run like that and other times it feels like I can run really fast.

I guess maybe my arms are different. I can't explain it tho. Like my shoulders become disjointed or something. Even in my dreams, I am wondering why I run like this.

I am never able to speak either. I'm always out of breath when I try to speak. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. I did not try to speak in this last dream and I can't remember ever trying to speak while running. Just something else that happens a lot in my dreams.

Thanks Marcia!

That's interesting. It does seem like a more animal-like state. Maybe it has to do with just freeing yourself from responsibilities for a while. What is your emotional state in these dreams?

I think you are on to something about freeing myself of responsibilities or something. I have to think about that.

I can't say for sure my mental state. I would almost say it is calm. Or almost absent of a state. The running does feel good tho. The rush of the speed.

I was basically asking if you felt good or bad in that state. If you feel good, then it might just be a way of your subconscious letting you let go of your worries for a while. How do you feel when you wake up?

SAorry, but I'm not sure of that either. I certainly don't wake up feeling bad. Usually, I can't get the image of running on all fours out of my mind. I wake up in a ponder, if you know what I mean.

As long as you don't feel bad, either in the dream or when you wake up, I think the dreams are probably helping to relieve some tension in your waking life, so are good for you.

Running on all fours, huge stride!

I have what I guess could be referred to as a recurring dream. I have had it in my childhood, and also in adulthood... maybe once a year or so. It always takes place in the neighborhood where I grew up (of course) and I am running, sometimes just running, and sometimes from someone. But the cool thing about it is that I am cheetah-like, I run on all fours and I can move very swiftly... like my stride is awesome, I can cover a whole block with one stride, so like with 8-9 strides I am accross the town... but I'm not big like the hulk or anything. I wish I could translate it better! Does anyone know what this ,might mean?

I never really know or see what I'm running from, it's not always like that though. Most of the time I'm just running. I don't think I'm being chased per se, more like I am just running, almost like I am rescuing?? someone. I don't know. I know the feeling it gives me during the dream is AWESOME!!! And sometimes it is a chase, I am the chaser sometimes and also sometimes being chased but never in a scary way..I always get away, far away because of the huge strides I take. The freedom feeling that I get in it is just awesome. A psychologist friend said that it sounds like loving life/freedom of movement thing! Who knows! I will add this... the effort it takes for the strides I take is really hard to get started, then once I am going it's very fluid and smooth.

WOW!!
That sounds like it fits me. Thank you

The act of running suggests the idea of making very fast progress in life, an idea which also seems emphasized by the awesome strides. In this dream the most significant issue appears to be the manner in which this fast progress is being made. The running is done in a cheetah-like manner, on all fours. The association with the cheetah also emphasizes the speed of making progress (as the cheetah is the fastest moving animal).

On all fours is an animal-like position. Thus the progress you see yourself making occurs by going on instincts/emotional power. The on all fours position also implies putting oneself down; demeaning one’s own human and thus rational nature. While making progress this way seems “cool”, it does not honour your human god-given nature/ability to act rationally.

Having the scene take place in the neighbourhood where you grew up implies that you may need to review the grounds of reasoning on which you base this manner of progress. The neighbourhood grounds would justify the mental attitude and beliefs of your growing up years, namely your youth. This can suggest the period of immaturity and inexperience.

Getting across town with only a few bounds in cheetah fashion seems to suggest that progressing in this emotional manner is good for the long run or “in the long run”. This would be contrary to reality since the cheetah is known to reach high speeds quickly but cannot sustain them for long periods of time. This would suggest that progressing on instincts may work well for short term situations but will not prove adequate over greater time periods. Note that children tend to function on an emotional level and the use of reason has to be cultivated.

Running from someone can suggest an idea or a certain person you fear. Running away appears to be an instinctive act here but not perhaps a rational one.

That's Strange

You know, I wouldn't have connected those two (jumping far distances and running on all fours) had I not read your post here. I was originally looking for some meaning to to running the way I was. You even described the differences in how i run. Let me guess, when you're jumping far distances you're actually trying to fly but you can't right?

Are you referring to your own dreams? This thread is over 5 years old. The OP hasn't been around for a while.

A week ago, I learned that it is hard(slow and awkward) to run while upright in dreams because your body is inhibited from moving. Small movements, in close proximity to your body are easier to accomplish. From that, I inferred that running on all fours in a dream is just easier for your brain to process. Running on all fours requires short movements of your appendages in close proximity to your body.

That's very interesting. It makes me think of dogs running in their sleep.

Since it seems to be normal to walk upright in dreams, I wonder if fear/anxiety (from whatever is causing you to dream about running) is an added factor making it harder for your brain to process more difficult movements.

well in my dream last night i dreampt i was running to a fight and i was up right and i could feel my chest get tight.

I have the same exact dream

My personal belief is that it's just me connecting to the inner animal in me, primal if you will. I once had a women tell me i have a strong animal magnetism within me and it was an attraction to others, as i researched more i learned that in being a libra its said i am to be both alluring and hold some sort of attraction to others. Since then i've noticed ppl have alwys seem 2b willing to open up 2me n they find me very trusting ina way. To sum up i think its just an inner beast in us coming to light if u will.