How to Avoid Heel Strike: Video Instruction by Chi Running's Danny Dreyer

Danny Dreyer, creator of the Chi Running technique, how to avoid the injury through heel striking. His principle of the midfoot strike makes impact-caused injuries a thing of the past.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Stepping
• Past
• Your
• Hip
• chi
• running
• posture
• core
• strength
• lean
• gravity
• technique
• injury
• free
• pain
• midfoot
• health
• fitness
• barefoot

[cicirunner]

I'm not saying that heel striking is best, but I don't see how your method could give any solid running times. Your form cuts the stride length by almost 50% so I would have to increase my stride cadence by twice as much. Doesn't seem possible.

[chilivinginc]

@cicirunner The secret is pelvic rotation, and letting the legs lengthen behind you. We have thousands of testimonials from folks pr'ign on their events. Many of our Instructors win lots of races. Speed comes after you get the technique down... it's part of perfecting your form. Try it out and see what happens. We bet you'll increase your times.

[pamperedgurl]

how can one apply these techniques while trying to run? Should I hire a trainer? Its hard to watch yourself when your outside ha ha and not all gyms have mirrors in front of treadmills...

[chilivinginc]

@pamperedgurl An Instructor really helps. Like you said, it's hard to see if you're doing it correctly. Although, you can feel a lot less effort and your runs should feel easier if you are doing it correctly. We would recommend getting the DVD or checking out a Chi Running Instructor in your area on chirunningdotcom

[elegancebg07]

How to you run faster or get anywhere if your stride is only going to your hip ?

[chilivinginc]

@elegancebg07 When you lean, your stride gets longer behind you, not in front of you. Check out our video on the 4 gears. It will explain a good bit to you.

[rzfbgjy]

All you need to do is take off the shoes that are messing up your natural gait. Get Vibrams or sack up and take you old man cushion shoes off and heal yourself

[1969jmac]

using this technique the foot lands midsole to forefoot and over time if you are over weight it can cause damage to the foot and leg. I know I tried this method for a few months and wound up at the podiatrist getting custom orthodic made to relieve the stress on my foot



[1969jmac]

You have to be in good shape and a storng runner to beginwith in order to use this method, because running this way is very difficult to do slowly. As youlean the body moves forward and continues to increase in speed so you must have good running ability to begin with. try being a bit over weight and running to lose weight usingthis method and you will see its hard to do slowly

[dudertube1]

I have a hard time doing this technique while going downhill. Even a slight down grade feels awkward. Any advice?

[HitmanHugh]

Thanks! Now to actually run like that...

[pregodego2]

@cicirunner You probably do need to increase your cadence.

[TheMoldyCarrot]

buy some vibram 5 fingers, thats how

[gr8yearahead]

Danny. The most striking aspect of your technique to me is that amazingly graceful quality of your movement. The fluidness when you demonstrate the "wheel" is subtle but powerful. It makes me want to learn T'ai Chi even more than running!