Chi Running with Hannah Kirkman

“What is Chi Running?!” 

Was that the first question you asked yourself when you saw this? Mine too! So I HAD to investigate further. Knowing the physical and mental benefits of Tai Chi, I needed to know if it was this practice and the elements of it put into running, and if so, how? What a combination!

The endless runs I’ve been on where it’s hurt, I’ve grimaced through every mile, and even after all my stretching, my calves still scream at me days after.

Perhaps like me, the idea of lacing up and going out for a run knowing full well this won’t be comfortable fills you with trepidation, possibly dread, possibly even a bit detached, and becomes more a necessity than enjoyment. You’ve signed up for that race, or you said you’d join in with your friend, so you can’t NOT go out.

Or perhaps, the idea of running doesn’t even seem enjoyable. You don’t know where to start, you instantly don’t think you’ll be any good and you won’t get very far, so it’s quite literally a pointless exercise. And if you have, you’re not alone.

Hannah gets this! Hannah too has worked through the stretches and still came away with the injuries! Hannah too has had the tumultuous relationship that running brings. That is why it makes her an even greater instructor. Hannah Kirkman as well as PT and Oxygen Advantage coach is also a ChiRunning Senior instructor, having found Chi Running after constant injury battles with her Achilles, so she gets it.

So what is it?

As you would suspect from the name, it draws from the elements of Tai Chi, but predominantly the chi aspect, the energy or life force part of it, working with gravity and resistance rather than fighting it. Chi Running is a practice that enables your running to be more efficient, and more mindful. Allowing you to be aware of how you move, connecting with it, and finding a flow in your running that’s more efficient, and that as I learnt comes from your posture, keeping the step in front short. As Hannah teaches “[the] leg swing, arm swing – going on behind us, so we’re not fighting with the road. So your stride can still open up, but just not by reaching forwards” so rather than big open strides, you learn to allow your body to travel through the space, making adjustments from head to toes and everything in between.

Now, I won’t give any spoilers here, as I will save all the wonderful things for the course, but you are in for some really amazing learning! As I kept saying to Hannah on my day’s workshop with her, “there’s some kind of black magic working here”, there wasn’t of course, it was just my body working through her instructions, her visual clues, and her suggestions and really finding it working! It was incredible! Since the workshop with Hannah, I keep practicing the techniques she has taught me even when I don’t run, from adjusting my posture, thinking of the little area under my belly button (you’ll see what I mean) to even how I walk.

I kind of knew I’d want Chi Running featured on the In It Together project as soon I saw it pop up on my Facebook, but since the workshop, it consolidated my decision! It HAD to be a course on the project, not only because of the fantastic physical benefits but for the way Hannah teaches and who Hannah is. A calm, approachable, committed instructor. Who listens, who absorbs, who cares. She has a great way of explaining, and giving instructions. I’m a visual learner, and Hannah gave me numerous visuals to attach to my movements, which really helped me connect.

I can only say, let your inner curious being take charge on this one. It will change how you think, feel and move. As will your attitude and approach to running; becoming less in your head thinking about the graft, and more in the moment, embracing the energy and enjoying how you move through the space.

Written by Charlotte Norman, Women’s Development Officer 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO CHI RUNNING