ChiWalking: Fitness Walking for Lifelong Health and Energy

****"ChiWalking: The Five Mindful Steps for Lifelong Health and Energy" is a life-changing book for a walker. ChiWalking is essentially a way of using the body's energy system to maximize your walking experience. This encompasses a variety of things, from the form or posture you use when walking, to how you move, to what you think of or meditate on or focus on, and much more.Before I started ChiWalking, I had a lot of pain in my left hip. Since learning the ChiWalking technique, I have no more hip pain.However, I availed myself of much more than just the ChiWalking book. I started with the book, and thus understood what I needed to do and why. I am not very good at translating something from a book to action, so I wasn't able to duplicate the movements on my own from just the book alone. I would not blame this on the book, however, because the book is very clear, and would be really beneficial for those readers who can pick up mechanical movements from illustrations and exposition. I then purchased the ChiWalking DVD, which helped a lot. I saw people practicing what I had read about in the book. Still, I could not translate that into action, mainly because of my learning limitations. However, it excited me and motivated me to take a ChiWalking seminar in a nearby large city. In the seminar I received feedback as to what I was doing wrong. This was what was most helpful to me. Without the book, however, I would not have had the background to fully implement the instruction I received or to really incorporate it into my walking practice.The ChiWalking book thoroughly explains theory and practice behind ChiWalking. It is where you should start to find out if ChiWalking can help you to be a better walker. It explains all steps, skills, technique, how to design a personal program, variations such as hiking, off-road walking, and treadmill walking, plus various specially designed walks to develop your "chi" or overall energy.If you love to walk, you should own this book. If you want to walk, but have had problems doing so, you should own this book. Even if you just implement the proper form in your walking, you will benefit from reading "ChiWalking". If you are intrigued at all by the idea of your personal energy system and walking, I would highly recommend this book.****

Excellent for an aging walker like meI am 67 and like to walk 5K, 10K, and half-marathon events whenever I can (I've been running/walking since I was 28). However, the heel land, roll to the front, and push off from the toes technique was jarring my whole body. After recently watching a group of women runners using that technique, I realized how jarring the heel landing was. I stumbled across ChiWalking and have been using this method for the past few months - what a difference. One of the most important lessons I've learned is to constantly be aware of and adjust my body's alignment. I listen to the audible audio of this book while I am walking to reinforce the technique and make adjustments.I also purchased the ChiWalk-Run DVD and will be trying out this approach for my next half-marathon in October. Ever since watching one of the episodes of the Sharpe's series (starring Sean Bean) on BBCAmerica several years ago, the episode in which he and two other men out-marched the rest of their group by doing a combination walk-run has fascinated me (I think it was the Sharpe's Rifles episode). It will sure get me to the finish line a lot faster than just walking.

ChiWalking, by (mostly) Danny and (partly) Katherine Dreyer is an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand book about -- surprise! -- WALKING. But it is about walking with a twist, i.e., walking deliberately, using the principles of Tai Chi, which stresses, above all else, keeping ones balance. And the best way to keep ones balance is to stand, or move, keeping all of ones weight (head, chest, and pelvis) as centrally aligned as possible over the center of gravity at all times. The Dreyers outline very carefully how one can accomplish this, and advise the reader to adopt the way of walking in a step-by-step (no pun intended) manner, using the Tai Chi principle of "Gradual Progress" to ensure that one has thoroughly learned "step A" before one moves on to "step B." Even though the book is easy to read and understand, it makes it clear that the program that it promotes will take a lot of time, so be prepared to read it again and again. That's not bad, though, as it is quite an enjoyable read.

This book will motivate you to get out and walk. The five mindful steps of ChiWalking are described in depth including alignment and balance. Chi skills, i.e., flexibility and breathing are discussed along with ChiWalking techniques. Twelve different walking plans are provided allowing you to design your own walking program. My personal favorite in the book is the section on hiking.I do, however, have one small complaint. The covers on my copy, both front and back, curl up like a paper towel roll. While not critical to the contents, it could have an adverse impact on the longevity of the book if you, like me, reference the information multiple times and then bend the covers while sliding it back in the bookcase. Even with the curly covers, though, this is one of the best walking guides I've read and I would definitely recommend it for your walking pleasure.

I thought I knew how to walk, even though I continually hurt my calves. Quit walking? Not willing, so enter Chi Walking and Chi Running! It has taken several years, but now I am walking completely differently, and finally have no pain! Unintended side benefit: I can walk on ice without slipping and without fear. I may get back to running even, if I choose. Thank you Danny Dreyer, Katherine Dreyer, and your publisher, editor, and everyone else connected with this project! I think of you often, share your ideas with others, and continually monitor my movements with an open mind that there is always a better way.

This book arrived well packaged and well within the stated due date.Although still recovering from a nasty achillies injury, I have started to put in to practice some of the teaching in the book.The book is well written, I have not finished reading the whole book yet but I am impressed with the book so far. I write this review never having done any tai chi or similar activities before; I am now thinking of enroling in a tai chi class.

The book describes in great detail- including sketches - the beneficial effects of Chia walking, exercises to be done before and after walking as well how to walk properly to use your energy to the utmost effect.

Very handy.

A great accompaniment for anyone who is about to, or has ever practiced Tai-Chi, as I have done in the past. Very good on correct posture.

interesting concept, seems to work too. Went for longish walk at 60 steps per min, no leg reaction after, I am 76.