Chi Running and Walking
From Dave Stratanski at E-chi Fitness
So what isChiRunning and ChiWalking? ChiRunning (Chi Running, "chee-Running") and ChiWalking combine the principles and inner focus of T'ai Chi with running and walking to dramatically improve energy efficiency and help to prevent discomfort, aches/pains and injury. The result is postural alignment and motion based on the body's design, simple principles of nature and laws of physics. The benefit is a safe and effective lifelong fitness program.
But should we really consider technique? Many suggest to just run or walk they way we do 'naturally'. But what if our posture and motion is inefficient and putting unncessary stress on our body and mind? And what if very subtle changes could make a very big difference; not only to our lap, mile or marathon but also to the rest of our day and the rest of our life?
When we start or want to improve in a sport or fitness activity, such as golf, tennis, swimming; we usually get some advice or take a lesson. Why would running, and even walking, be any different? In repetitive motion activities, like running and walking, technique is even more critical since the motion is repeated over and over and any negative effects can be magnified. Also, running and walking are two of the very few sports or fitness activities that are performed on varied terrain. As the terrain changes up and down hills, so do the forces of nature affecting us. If we don't adjust our technique for those forces, we are likely opposing and not cooperating with very big forces of nature.
And so what is the big difference? Here is a simple analogy: If you wanted to move an object across the ground,
would you rather it be a square block or a round ball? Simple answer, right? We would all probably want it to be a sphere,
ball or wheel for multiple reasons; the main one being it rolls with momentum and little resistance.
On the other hand, with the block there is almost no momentum, a lot of resistance and when you stop pushing or pulling,
it stops moving.
What if your running or walking could resemble more the rolling of a ball and less the pushing/pulling of a block? What would this mean to your fitness program?
How much more efficient would that be? How much easier on the body would it be, reducing or eliminating discomfort/aches/pains/injury. How would this efficiency and injury-prevention affect your consistency and enjoyment? These are just some of the many benefits of applying some simple principles of nature and laws of physics to our movement.
Find out how in the videos below ...
