In a previous post (Running Motion for a Midfoot Strike), the ChiRunning motion was described as a midfoot (full-foot) landing with a heel lift/knee bend. Along with this motion, it is also very important to keep the legs and feet relaxed.

Running with a relaxed midfoot (full-foot) strike allows a subtle forward lean (fall) from the ankles to propel you forward with no resistance. If the legs/feet/ankles are holding tension, then the hinge (ankle) is stiff which acts as a brake against your forward fall. Relaxation also removes a significant amount of stress from the lower legs and feet. The statistics indicate that 65-80% of all runners get injured each year in some way. And most of those injuries are at the knee and below. Could it be that we are asking a relatively small part of our body to do a very big job? If we can relax the lower legs and feet, then we can (more…)

In ChiRunning, the approach is to land midfoot (full-foot) under your column and create a wheel slightly behind your column with your heels/feet. Visually, this running motion is similar to the Road Runner cartoon.

To create this wheel, the focus is to allow the knee to bend and to not consciously lift the knee. Lifting the knee can bring the leg forward; and allow the foot to move horizontally and land in front of the body. Bending the knee creates an arc with the heel and keeps the heel/foot moving vertically. See the diagram below showing this orange arc. (more…)

Like my fellow ChiRunning Instructor Bloggers, I was recently in Asheville for the ChiRunning Instructor weekend. You have probably read about the incredible running experiences we had and what a wonderful opportunity it was for us all to focus even more on our running form. It was a happy band of midfoot strike runners that’s for sure. What struck me though during the introductions was just how many people had turned to ChiRunning because they were experiencing, or were tired of dealing with running pain and injuries. As each person reflected on those times there was a different tone in their voice.

When I got home (I live just north of San Francisco) I was excited to go running with some friends, get caught up and tell them about the weekend. Then, one friend called to say he couldn’t make it. The reason? A sore Achilles Tendon was creating too much running pain. (more…)

When I first picked up a ChiRunning Book about four years ago - in pain, injured, frustrated and confused; I first realized my running philosophy was a bit off and then I realized my running technique was a bit off also.

On the surface, ChiRunning is about adjusting running technique to improve efficiency and prevent injury. Underneath, ChiRunning in rooted in simple principles of nature that if applied can dramatically change your running experience.  The same is true for ChiWalking and your walking experience.
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Distance running can cause a tremendous amount of stress on the body. Yoga is now recognized as a way for runners to stretch tight muscles and help lessen running pain. Runners tend to gravitate towards power yoga and fast paced vinyasa flow. It’s wonderful to see runners now practicing yoga but this approach of stretching muscles and getting an extra workout is only the tip of the iceberg. Yoga can offer so much more than just stretching. It can help you access a deep place of calm relaxation. A place where healing and recovery takes place.

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Many of us have heard the concept of “running is a metaphor [or mirror] for life”.

There have been many ways to apply and learn from this concept. Just Google the phrase and you will see many posts on the subject.

A few days ago a great quote came across my path:

“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are” ~ Chinese proverb

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