CHI RUNNING

by

Please to welcome MARCIA. After my experience with MOVING MEDITATION I grew curious about Chi Running.  What is it? Would I like it? How would I ever know?
The answer is *always* found in our tribe….

 

picstitch

 

I didn’t intentionally become a ChiRunner.

I just ran.

I heard things like “She runs on her toes” often enough to think something was ‘wrong’ with my stride.

So I tried to change to a more ‘normal’ gait where I touched down with my heels first, instead of with the balls of my feet. It wasn’t until I tried on a pair of minimalist running shoes at my local running store that I learned there was nothing ‘wrong’ with a mid-foot strike at all. In fact there was plenty ‘right’ with it.

What is ChiRunning?

Chi is life force. The energy created by movement. ChiRunning, therefore, is a natural form of running like we did as kids. Over time, physical and emotional stress, tension and slouching caused by hours behind a desk make the body tighten up and our running form changes for the worse, making injury more likely. While traditional or ‘power’ running relies on leg strength, ChiRunning teaches the optimal conditions to move chi through your body.

Good posture, relaxed limbs, engaged core muscles, mental focus and breathing techniques are emphasized. ChiRunning teaches you to turn your focus inward, listen to your body and adjust accordingly. Shoulders over hips over ankles. It’s all about balance: mental and physical.

Tips for getting started:

  • Start slow. Make your sessions very short and progress from there. This can be as simple as running up and down your driveway.
  • Because there are so many components to think about, ChiRunning can be overwhelming at first so focus on one element at a time: align posture, engage core, breathing, etc.
  • Remember to relax and listen to your body

For more information, including step by instructions, or to find a ChiRunning workshop near you, check out Danny Dreyer’s book ChiRunning or visit the ChiRunning website.
Here’s a demo from a ChiRunning Master.

Marcia Kadens is a Chicago area mom x 2, marathoner x 7, newbie duathlete, freelance writer and founder of Marcia’s Healthy Slice.

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Comments

  1. I’m very interested in Chi Running. My local yoga studio has a session going on this summer focused on it that includes running on the beach. Too bad it’s at a time I can’t make it! 🙁

  2. Marcia–you look great in that pic! I love the messages of chi running, but I will agree with the statement that it is overwhelming. You have to break it down and focus on one aspect at a time. It is a great concept, though.

  4. I’ve read the Chi Running book and tried to teach myself the form/techniques. Would love to do a class, but they’re a little pricey.

    • Hey there. I’m a ChiRunning instructor and will always do what I can to accommodate a client who can’t pay the full price. I’m sure other instructors feel the same way. You should contact an instructor near you to see how they can help you!

  7. I discovered Chi Running about after I started running and I’m so glad I did! It is definitely a lot to process and I found working with an instructor really helped to make sense out of all the techniques outlined in the book.

  8. Posture/form, breathing and focus are SO important in running! They make the biggest difference in the world.

    Mid-foot strike is what I always aim for. That and an open chest, relaxed shoulders, shorter, quick strides, a symmetrical rotation of the hips and knees, and regular breathing (focusing on exhaling well).

    I use relatively minimal shoes (not the lightest but pretty light) and that makes me more aware of how my foot behaves. No injuries in a long time! 🙂

  10. I’ve been interested in buying that book. I also run on my toes and have assumed it to be a flaw b/c of my ballet background. I’ve tried to change it but it just seems to be my natural “way.” Thanks for sharing!

  11. Interesting … I tend to get out of form when running longer distances, and I more often than not can feel it the next day. I will begin to focus on this the next few times I am out. Thanks!

  13. The entire concept of Chi running has always been been appealing to me, the idea of using running as a moving meditation is something I’ve done intuitively since I started running. Thank you so much to Marcia for explaining more about this style of running!

  14. I’ve been very curious about Chi running too but have been intimidated by it, because like you said, it can be overwhelming. I love your explanation of it though Marcia and I definitely want to look into it more.

  15. “running like we did as kids”…. it’s so weird how we grow up and forget. I suppose it’s the cares of the world — inside our own little world — that makes us forget. 🙁

  16. I’ve always run on my toes and of course had people tell me I was wrong. “You’ll get used to heel striking.” I never did and it hurt. There’s more than one way to do something and I wish people would realize that. I love chi running.

  18. you know I have been a Chi Runner for a few years now… really helped me with hills!

  19. Love seeing Marcia over here!!!
    I’ve never tried Chi running but I love the concept (and I tend to run on my toes, too).

  21. I never heard of this!!! Pretty interesting! The balls of my feet are where my feet issues are so.. I can’t do that & that is why I found my Hoka shoes BUT very interesting the thought process & all!

    I LOVE THAT PIC!!!! Maybe if I got deep in that thought part, I would not mind the running so much! 😉

  22. I had such a great time reading your article. I enjoy each & every bit of it. It was really informative. I feel strongly about it and got knowledge more on this subject. The tips are really very nice and help us in getting rid of extra fats and weight.

  24. This is fabulous! When I’m running I focus on my core and making sure my shoulders are relaxed. I really don’t care about my feet. I’ve just always done that since I started running. This sounds perfect for me!

  25. I’m so glad that I read your blog… I’ve learned so many new things here! Even though I’m not a runner, I like to be up on fitness ideas and theories. I am pretty sure the internet has made me a more well-rounded person 🙂

  26. First time to hear about chi running. Come to think of it, I haven’t run for a long time now. The last time I did run was way back my childhood days.

  27. Running is my passion. I feel like I won’t survive without running. However, this is my first time to hear about Chi running and I’m very interested about it. I don’t usually reach the point that I’m meditating while running but this is a great concept to learn more about the inner strength of mind and body.

  28. This is the first time that I’ve heard of Chi running and I must say that it is really interesting. I wanna try it on my next routine. I believe that this is also helpful in my emotional being as you run while you meditate. 🙂

  29. I have a friend who swears by chi running. I was interested in the topic, but I had never really read anything about it until now. I run in Vibrams with a mid-foot strike and I love it. Maybe I was chi running without even realizing it?

  30. I was always a mid-foot striker. I ran track in college and because of my martial arts training, continued to run. I only ran with headphones in the beginning. I’ve run a lot, lol! I now run off road or on softer roads and I feel that is a good idea. I feel some cushioning is best.

    Running has been my moving meditation for over 100,000 miles…

  31. Sounds more like an art form than a type of running style.It’s so important to do everything possible to lead a healthy lifestyle. Good food and exercise is essential and so is a peaceful mind. Trying new things such as chi running is definitely worth trying!!

  32. Interesting! I’ve never heard of chi running before and I’m a huge fan of running, I will definitely have to look into it.

  33. morning walk have good way to weight loss, many people have not time to do this activity, You can try fat burner to lose weight but many fat burner available on the market, which is choose them, you can try phen375 its a very famous fat burner in the market with no side effect. you can buy phen375 from official website and also read read phen375 customer reviews

  36. I find that I can CHI run after I had a breakfast or a fiber meal. Sometimes I eat ALL BRAN cereal and then take my Skinny Fiber supplement. I have been using it for 3 weeks now and I already notice a big difference. Down one dress size. I am going to combine it with CHI running for sure. Here is where I have been getting my supplements from if any are interested. http://www.skinnyfiberresults.com

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