Alignment, Balance, and Chi

It is everywhere we look. I find it fascinating that, upon discovering an insight in one corner of life, it begins to show up elsewhere. Last week, the insight was about tires. If we don’t balance and align our tires regularly, they wear out faster and the cost is impressive, both in terms of safety and expense. This week, the message is about Chi.

I am learning how to download audio books from the library. I resisted for the longest time. I am a visual person, and the idea of listening to a book instead of reading it with my eyes had little appeal. Then a friend told me how audio books added enjoyment to her long runs. With a winter training plan climbing to 2, 2.5, and 3 hours at a time on the indoor track and treadmill, I was ready to give it a try. This week’s read is Chi Running by Danny Dreyer.

My quest for injury-free running into the sunset years began with Jeff Galloway’s run-walk-run approach and continues with this read. For Galloway, safe and healthy running shifts between one type of impact and another. He offsets the tendency toward repetitive use injury by making the use less repetitive. Walking and running affect the body differently. Alternating between the two helps the body last longer.

Dreyer’s Chi Running is about energy. His approach is built on the principle that the running motion can be effortless; and, if effortless, it can also be free from harm. When our posture enables the body to support its weight on bones instead of muscles, we are properly aligned. When our gait allows forward motion to be driven by gravity instead of muscular effort, we are in balance. Chi flows through the body when alignment and balance generate relaxed motion around a stable core.

How do balance and alignment work in your life? Can you tell when they are out of whack? Does it feel different when you stop and adjust? Does energy flow more smoothly when you stand straight, look ahead, and lean into gravity? Do your body and soul appreciate the evenness of effort and reduction of impact when you relax around the core strength of both muscles and values? Check it out. Let me know.

Until the next time, go well.

Pam