Chi running
by Shang Lee
I’ve done Tai Chi. I’ve done running. And when I knew I could combine them both, I just couldn’t resist to buy that book
Posture is important in Tai Chi. The alignment from head to toe is important to achieve the “connection” with the ground so that strength can be channelled properly throughout the body. To get proper alignment, I’ve relied on my own eyes, other people’s eyes, my teacher’s eyes, and ultimately, my own feeling.
This is exactly what Chi Running is trying to achieve, to use proper alignment to optimise the body structure such that it is most suitable for running. Skeptical? So was I, I just couldn’t resist trying it out though. I ran for only 20 minutes, when I normally would have been exhausted, but surprised I wasn’t panting. I wasn’t even breathing hard. I didn’t feel any strain on the leg muscles. No strain on the knees. And I felt energised to go on and on! I had to go because of other commitments, but I’ll definitely try it again.
The marketing material says:
- low injury rate
- requires less effort
- requires little or no recovery time after the run
- feel energised
I say: if you forgot what it was like to run like a kid, when you don’t even think about running but just have the abundance of energy a kid has, try Chi Running.
p/s: It’s actually less intensive compared to my normal Tai Chi routine because of the smaller range of motion! So in a way, it’s a good introduction to Tai Chi.
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I discovered Chirunning last spring, after searching for running methods that would help me get around aching knees and ankles. I am happy to say that since applying the technique, my knees and ankles are doing great. I run appx. 6 miles a day, pain-free. Also, I use both Nike Free 5.0 and 3.0 with no socks. These minimalist shoes fit right in with the Chirunning technique. I honestly wish I could run barefoot, but this is not too likely, since there’s too much broken glass in the areas where I run. Therefore the Frees do a great job of bridging this gap. Hope this comment is of use to you.
Thanks for the wonderful comment Chuck. I have recently got a Nike Free 5.0 and been trying it out slowly, as advised by the instructions. I haven’t tried a 5 mile run with it yet, so the verdict is still to be seen, but am liking it so far. I’m not sure about the no socks part though. I think i’ll have to give it a go at least once.
[...] seen wearing this around town? I like the concept. I’ve been trying out Nike Free shoes for running the chi running way. I haven’t tried this. It seems like the closest thing to bare feet by wearing shoes. [...]
[...] propose is to set a regular goal, rather than a fixed-and-be-done-with goal. Say you like to learn chi running (a method of running in a low impact way), your slow goal would be “run with this method for 30 [...]
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[...] body does help the upward momentum. Failing to change weight proportions in a short period of time, chi running offers some useful guide. It proposes an upward swing of the arms, sort of like (almost!) punching [...]