What is Chi?
Posted on Fri, Oct 09, 2009 @ 12:53 PM
By Robyn Lee Quinn, Assistant to the President
In traditional Chinese culture Chi (pronounced Chee) is an active principle forming part of any living thing.
It is frequently translated as "energy flow". The literal translation is "air," "breath," or "gas" (compare the original meaning of Latin spiritus "breathing"; or the Common Greek πνεῦμα, meaning "air," "breath," or "spirit"; and the Sanskrit term prana, "breath").
So what does this have to do with how we run? Well, finding your Chi in running can change the way you run for the better. For me, I have never been taught how to run nor had a professional evaluate how I run but I often wonder if I run correctly and to the best of my ability? I've been reading that I can actually change the way I run by focusing on my form for two vital reasons: injury prevention and energy efficiency. What? Use less energy, go faster and longer distances, sign me up! These five elements below are called ChiRunning, even the name itself sounds more relaxing. These basic moves can keep us running for many more years and help us achieve our running goals, like adding mileage for me. I ran my first 10K last week in just over a 9 minute mile, a great start for me!
ChiRunning is based on the physics of body mechanics and focuses on posture, leg swing, the position of the pelvis and a forward lean.
1. Keep your alignment straight, your skeleton is supporting your weight. Don't slump forward or bend at the waist, good posture puts less strain on your legs.
2. Lean slightly forward so your body falls forward using gravity to your advantage. Your foot should land under you. You actually lean from the ankles not your waist so your posture stays strong.
3. When your foot lands on the ground it's best to have it in line with your shoulders and hips, underneath or slightly behind you. Land mid-foot strike to keep you in balance.
4. Always engage your core muscles when you run, this will help (ladies most) any discomfort you may have in your hips or pelvis area while running. If you stand against the wall push your lower back towards the wall, feel your pelvis tip, you are now engaging your core (it's like a mini crunch). Remember that feeling and maintain that solid body tip when you are running.
5. Relax and breathe. Stiff shoulders and muscles use much more energy; we are running for our health and well being remember. Try and ask yourself when you are running, are my shoulders relaxed and I'm not shrugging them? If they are, straighten them out of a good shake and take a deep breath in, that should rebalance you.
So here is the real question, can I change my technique? YES YES YES! Dedicate one run a week to evaluate your running and concentrate on change, it gets easier the more you do it. Go by yourself, no music or chatting just concentrate on form. Very soon you will have retrained your muscles and they will just know what to do. See how much longer you will be able to run, how much zippier you can go and how fabulous you will feel.
Chirunning.com