#65 – ChiRunning to empty your mind

Yesterday, I discussed how Level 3 listening teaches us to be present with others and ourselves.

Today, we’ll explore how ChiRunning can enhance our physical, emotional, and mental awareness while refining our running technique.

ChiRunning integrates T'ai Chi principles into running, emphasizing efficient energy use to help us run longer with less effort.

Needle and cotton: strength and relaxation can coexist

The first principle is "needle and cotton." By properly aligning our skeleton, we create a strong structure (the needle) that allows the rest of the body to move freely and relax (the cotton), maximizing energy flow.

This balance results in endurance with minimal effort.

This principle extends beyond running: a strong foundation provides power, while staying relaxed fosters creative regeneration.

From control to focus

Sensing our body while running is key to becoming aware of our movements.

At first, we focus on one aspect, like peeling the feet off the ground with each step (instead of pushing off with the toes, which requires more effort). During the run, we hold our focus on this for one minute, then relax it for the next, and repeat.

We replace controlling the body or the mind with focusing the mind on one aspect of the body movement and its physical sensations.

Beyond running, focusing on body sensations helps us become "immune" to distractions—mind chatter and intrusive thoughts. Our minds can’t engage in two things at once: either we focus on our body or we listen to our mental noise.

Presence and joy

Since a focused mind is a happy one, as this well-known 2010 study showed, being present with our body while we run increases our sense of contentment.

And the more we practice contentment, the more our self-confidence and self-assurance grow.

In turn, because we're more self-assured, our inner critic stays quiet for longer periods, and when it shows up, we spot it and dismiss it faster – which means, keeping the mind empty of useless thoughts.

What activity helps you focus on something so deeply that useless thoughts stay at bay?

Love,

Carolina