August 2008
ChiRunning / ChiWalking Newsletter

"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." - Sign Hanging in Albert Einstein’s Office at Princeton

Dear Friends,

We're happy to say the New Balance 800, the first shoe to be specifically designed for the mid-foot strike, is now available. Our instructors have tested these shoes and we've gotten some great responses from them. This shoe is perfect for when you are learning the ChiRunning method and the mid-foot strike. Try it on to find the perfect fit at your local running shoe store.

As I write this month's letter I contemplate the sign that Einstein had in his office (above). Yes, it is really fun to have run your best personal record (PR) and it is a fabulous feeling to finish a marathon that you have worked towards for six months. What is even more important is how you feel about those efforts.

What really counts? The minutes, the hours, the miles, the speed, or is it the moment-to-moment feelings and insights that have accumulated into a wiser, more substantive you? Have you become stronger in your center? Is your body more in balance and harmony? Do you have a mind that can focus and respond creatively to the needs of the moment? Are you more in tune to the needs of your body? Can you feel your own presence more deeply?

These are the promises of ChiRunning and ChiWalking, promises that require a commitment from you: To make the choice to effort in a new way. We don't ask you to force, push or try harder. We ask you to stop, listen, relax, breath, get loose, and yes, strengthen your core and make your next step a conscious and aware one. We even ask you to play and have fun and lighten up!

What counts to you? We'll do our best to help you whether you want to learn to walk or run, recover from an injury or get it right the first time. You can get faster or create a stronger core and find more balance in your life.

One thing we do know: you count to us. It's thanks to you that ChiRunning and ChiWalking continue to grow and spread to new cities and new countries and help new people. You make it happen.

We're grateful as always - Katherine, Danny and the ChiLiving Staff

Testimonial

Each month we share a testimonial from one of our students. Here is one about ChiRunning:

Hi,

What else can I say but WOW! ChiRunning is awesome. I'm 45 years old, been running all my life and had my share of injuries. Straight up running was my style.

Tim

Read More >>

Many thanks to all of you for your ongoing support of ChiRunning and ChiWalking. If you have your own success story you want to share, please contact us. We love hearing from you.

Read more Success Stories >>

THIS MONTH'S ARTICLE

Gathering and Issuing

I was running up a hill the other day. Actually a little more than a hill, it was 5 miles of steady grade with a 2000' elevation gain. My goal was to do it without stopping to walk. So, whenever I felt myself getting a little tired, I would do this First, I would locate my "center" which is located in front of my spine and in the area of my lower torso. I would then watch my arm-swing and every time my hands were swinging toward my body I would imagine that I was gathering energy from the world around me and bringing it in to my "center."

Read more >>

Danny's Blog

Visit Danny’s blog to read his expert advice on injury-free running and walking, energy, T'ai Chi principles, sore quads, painful calves and more. Here's an excerpt from a post about foot strike:

"There seems to be much debate in the running community today on what is the best footstrike for running. Runners of all levels divide themselves into three basic camps: the midfoot strikers, the forefoot strikers and the heel strikers. So, here is my attempt to put forward my best understanding of the three basic types of foot strike and what each one does for a runner."

Click here to read more >>

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