C.J.W. wrote:I'm starting a new discussion to elaborate on the point I made earlier in "Is Fitness the Ultimate Key" thread in relation to running. The gist of my statements is that, from the point of view of TCM, running long distances or at fast speed is detrimental to health for people who don't have enough qi (and/or blood) in their bodies. I also mentioned that running for health and fitness is "a relatively new and Western concept that did not exist in ancient China." And here's why.
In TCM, the strengthening and conversation of qi are key to improving one's health, and one of the best ways to strengthen qi is through regular physical exercise. Exercise, however, is a double-edged sword, since exercising too much or too hard will actually drain the qi as opposed to replenish it. For this reason, any type of exercise that causes a person to gasp for air and breathe laboriously over an extended period of time is usually frowned upon -- with running being a prime example. And whenever one begins to breathe hard during running, it's a sure sign that the heart and lung have gone into overdrive, and the qi that was supposed to be evenly distributed throughout the body and the other organs (e.g., liver, spleen/stomach, kidneys) has all been moved to the heart and lung in order to compensate. The result is that it puts the body in an unbalanced state that is only meant to be temporary -- such as in a fight or flight emergency.
The sweating that comes with running -- or any type of hard exercise for that matter --is another problem. While mild sweating has the effect of detoxification, excessive sweating can also causes too much qi to disperse, depleting the body's qi reserve.
The ancient Chinese understood this very well, which is why qigong or any other health-promoting exercises such as baduanjin and yijingjin are always done at slow-speed, and that running has never been touted as a means to good health.
Here's an interesting article that shows western medicine has found increasing new evidence against running and begun to catch on:
http://www.prevention.com/fitness/how-walking-healthier-running
everything wrote:CJW, are you a runner? From a practical pov I'd say just keep it 70% or easier.
From a theoretical pov would like to hear more. Modern culture's obsession with running as the only thing seems stupid. I know so many weekend warriors who overtrain then put the stupid sticker on their cars.
C.J.W. wrote: I'm sure you are aware of the gaunt physique of a typical marathon or long-distance runner?
Bao wrote:C.J.W. wrote: I'm sure you are aware of the gaunt physique of a typical marathon or long-distance runner?
The methods of long distance running are very close to principles used in IMA. More important than physique is conservation of energy, economy of movement and breathing. If you don't have the method and techniques, no fitness will help.
It's very interesting to watch videos teaching long distance running, it's like watching a Tai Chi vid. They same just about the same things. . . .
Danny Dreyer is the co-founder of ChiRunning and ChiWalking, revolutionary forms of moving that blend the subtle inner focuses of T'ai Chi with running and walking. His work is based on his study of T'ai Chi with Master Zhu Xilin and internationally renowned Master George Xu, and his 35 years of experience, running, racing ultra marathons and coaching people in “intelligent movement." He has taught thousands of people the ChiRunning and ChiWalking techniques with profound results.
C.J.W. wrote:I'm starting a new discussion to elaborate on the point I made earlier in "Is Fitness the Ultimate Key" thread in relation to running. The gist of my statements is that, from the point of view of TCM, running long distances or at fast speed is detrimental to health for people who don't have enough qi (and/or blood) in their bodies. I also mentioned that running for health and fitness is "a relatively new and Western concept that did not exist in ancient China."
C.J.W. wrote:I'm starting a new discussion to elaborate on the point I made earlier in "Is Fitness the Ultimate Key" thread in relation to running. The gist of my statements is that, from the point of view of TCM, running long distances or at fast speed is detrimental to health for people who don't have enough qi (and/or blood) in their bodies. I also mentioned that running for health and fitness is "a relatively new and Western concept that did not exist in ancient China." And here's why.
In TCM, the strengthening and conservation of qi are key to improving one's health, and one of the best ways to strengthen qi is through regular physical exercise. Exercise, however, is a double-edged sword, since exercising too much or too hard will actually drain the qi as opposed to replenish it. For this reason, any type of exercise that causes a person to gasp for air and breathe laboriously over an extended period of time is usually frowned upon -- with running being a prime example. And whenever one begins to breathe hard during running, it's a sure sign that the heart and lung have gone into overdrive, and the qi that was supposed to be evenly distributed throughout the body and the other organs (e.g., liver, spleen/stomach, kidneys) has all been moved to the heart and lung in order to compensate. The result is that it puts the body in an unbalanced state that is only meant to be temporary -- such as in a fight or flight emergency.
The sweating that comes with running -- or any type of hard exercise for that matter --is another problem. While mild sweating has the effect of detoxification, excessive sweating can also cause too much qi to disperse, depleting the body's qi reserve.
The ancient Chinese understood this very well, which is why qigong or any other health-promoting exercises such as baduanjin and yijingjin are always done at slow-speed, and that running has never been touted as a means to good health.
Here's an interesting article that shows western medicine has found increasing new evidence against running and begun to catch on:
http://www.prevention.com/fitness/how-walking-healthier-running
As a side note, I've read a theory put forth by several TCM professors and doctors that explains why Westerners gravitate towards long-distance running and hard competitive sports. It has to do with the diet.
Westerners usually consume larger quantities of animal protein, dairy products, and wine compared to the Chinese on their traditional diet. Wine and Animal protein, especially beef and mutton, are considered "yang" foods that boost qi and blood, while dairy products add heat and moisture (or dampness) to the body. In order to get rid of all the extra qi, heat, and moisture, the body naturally needs to exercise harder and sweat more -- hence the penchant for laborious workouts and head-bashing, body-slamming contact sports.
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