ChiRunning is a form of running influenced by
tai chi
is a Chinese martial art. Initially developed for combat and self-defense, for most practitioners it has evolved into a sport and form of exercise. As an exercise, tai chi is performed as gentle, low-impact movement in which practitioners ...
.
It has been described as a "quasi-
yoga
Yoga (UK: , US: ; 'yoga' ; ) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines that originated with its own philosophy in ancient India, aimed at controlling body and mind to attain various salvation goals, as pra ...
-based style of running that is purported to reduce injury risk".
Principles
ChiRunning has also been described as using "the principles of tai chi to focus on alignment, relaxation and proper form when running and walking".
[ It is said to emphasize ]posture
Posture or posturing may refer to:
Medicine
* List of human positions
** Abnormal posturing, in neurotrauma
**Spinal posture
* Posturography, in neurology
Other uses
* Posture (psychology)
* Political posturing
Political posturing, also known a ...
, core strength
Core or cores may refer to:
Science and technology
* Core (anatomy), everything except the appendages
* Core (laboratory), a highly specialized shared research resource
* Core (manufacturing), used in casting and molding
* Core (optical fiber), t ...
, relaxed legs, and "mindfulness".
Scientific Evidence
A 2012 study, ''A Comparison of Lower Extremity Joint Work and Initial Loading Rates among Four Different Running Styles'', was conducted over the course of one year with 74 runners who were separated into four groups based on distinct running styles: traditional shoe wearing rearfoot strikers, certified Chi runners, minimalist shoe wearing anterior foot strikers, and minimalist shoe wearing rearfoot strikers (MSR). The results of the study suggested that Chi running may be an alternative for runners with a history of overuse injuries of the lower extremities or for runners seeking to reduce lower extremity forces which may potentially cause injury.
Technique
Dreyer has outlined the technique to ChiRunning as follows: "focus your mind", "sense your body", "breathe to tap into Chi", "relax your muscles", "practice good posture", and "start slow".
Development
ChiRunning was developed in 1999 by Danny Dreyer, an American ultramarathon
An ultramarathon is a footrace longer than the traditional marathon distance of . The sport of running ultramarathons is called ultra running or ultra distance running.
Various distances, surfaces, and formats are raced competitively, from the ...
runner, tai chi practitioner, and founder of the North Carolina–based company Chi Running.[ A Forbes contributor claims that in 2004, Dreyer's first edition of his book, ''ChiRunning'', was released and sold 150,000 copies however, there was no proper citation within his article to back up that claim.][
]
Workshops & Instructors
Creator and founder Danny Dreyer teaches the ChiRunning technique in a variety of workshops across the world. Additionally, ChiRunning certifies instructors worldwide who demonstrate the ability to accurately and professionally teach runners the ChiRunning technique. ChiRunning-certified instructors must meet a wide variety of criteria, and must renew their certification each calendar year, ensuring that these instructors provide quality instruction to runners.
Bibliography
ChiRunning publishes a wide variety of resources, including Danny Dreyer's books:
* ''ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-free Running''
* ''ChiWalking: Fitness Walking for Lifelong Health and Energy''
* ''ChiMarathon''
References
{{Reflist
External links
Official Website of Chi Living, Inc.
Danny Dreyer Video
Running by type
Tai chi