Chi Workouts Part II

Last week’s blog was all about how to use gravity to your advantage in your Chirunning or Chiwalking exercise. This week we focus on the principles of chi. Chi is also known as many other things: Qi, vim, ki, energy, vitality, innate, spirit, or life-force. Two thousand years ago, Chinese masters wisely studied nature and its properties taking notice of how universal laws create a balanced system. The laws of the universe work on four basic levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. So we use motion to create momentum, seek fulfillment in our lives, study and discover truth, and connect to our own spirituality. Breaking universal laws can result in a stressed system and eventual breakdown. In Tai Chi and in ChiRunning, all movement originates from your center, so body alignment is crucial, while your arms and legs are soft as cotton and hold no tension. Free, flexible, and relaxed motion in your spine allows your center to work efficiently. Do you have this flexibility and adaptive quality in your own spine? Our spines house our nervous system, the master-system that controls all actions of the body. Health in the spine translates to better health throughout the whole body. Be patient with yourself and be sure to read more about ChiRunning and ChiWalking, or try an instructional video. This is a gradual process and should be started slowly so your body has opportunity to adapt to movement. Balance is two-fold in effort and physical movement with the purpose to create symmetry and harmony. For those who wish to learn more about Tai Chi principles and its many health benefits, click here.