Core competence

ChiRunning is a cheap and effective way to stay fit.

With less disposable income, the gym membership is likely to be the first to be cut off the list of expenses. But fitness is, or should be, a life-long commitment. Running is probably the least expensive form of exercise that one can continue, even if there isn’t extra cash in the bank any longer to throw around.

This summer, instead of just plain old running, consider ChiRunning. This form of running has been described on founder Danny Dreyer’s website as combining “modern physics with the ancient wisdom of T’ai Chi to create a running form that is easily learned and makes running more effortless and enjoyable”. Says hotelier Ajay Bakaya, who has been ChiRunning for several years now, “You use the gravitational force to run. This lessens muscle wear and tear.”

Chi literally means “energy”, and is one of the key concepts in some eastern healing systems. Lack of chi or weak chi can impact your life negatively and it is also believed that one can direct one’s chi. Dreyer’s website outlines the goal of ChiRunning, which is “to increase the amount of chi, to learn to focus your chi and to make sure your chi does not get blocked or stagnant”. Says Bakaya, “ChiRunning works on the basis of using the energy emanating from your core.”

Apart from enjoying running without the injuries associated with it, Bakaya also says ChiRunning helps in making you run faster. He says, “It helped me shave several minutes off my half-marathon running time.” Like with regular running, ChiRunning can be done on both hard and soft surfaces without any problems.

Though Dreyer’s website is comprehensive in explaining how to get started, Bakaya feels that you do need to be taught first. Says he, “I learnt it from a friend who was visiting, and I have passed it on to other friends here in India. You can’t explain ChiRunning to someone, they have to see it.” Bakaya says that to the best of his knowledge there aren’t any classes or trainers here who teach ChiRunning. Yet, it is extremely popular in the US.