BALANCED N MOTION

Focus On Chi

ChiRunning and ChiWalking are mindful practices in that they are learned from using focuses. The mind directs the body through the use of focuses. Habits are quickly learned by practicing them often, the more times you work with a focus, the body adapts to the desired change. An example of a focus is “lift from the crown”. In both ChiRunning and ChiWalking, good posture is required to develop efficient movement. By working on and off lifting from the crown helps the athlete to begin to implement the lengthening of the spine. We recommend lifting from the crown for a minute and then allowing the body to do whatever for a minute, repeating on /off throughout the workout.  Eventually, the athlete will be catching themselves out of posture and making the adjustment. The goal down the road is it will become a habit that they will not have to think about and the body just does it. Each week I will introduce a focus to work with for the week.  First Focus “Lift From the Crown of Your Head”

You’re on a run one beautiful morning, everything is going well. Around mile three you start to notice a different sensation in your (insert one of the following foot, knee, hip -you get the idea.) what do you do? Deny that there is anything happening and hope whatever it is will go away just like […]
Ever wish you had just a little more energy inside you?  Or how about when you’re running up a slope that just will not stop and your lungs feel like they have checked out. One of the latest hot subjects that most running related materials have been covering is using “breath work” for increased stamina. […]
When learning something new it is always important to approach it gradually so that you can become proficient. For example when learning to play an instrument, you begin with learning how to hold the instrument and then are taught a few notes to practice with.  As you practice those notes, they feel awkward at first […]