The following come from Chi Running and Chi Walking workshops, and from ongoing training sessions I have led over the past eleven years.

Today I did my first Chi long run (a 10-miler) and it felt great! For most of the run I felt like I could keep going forever. When I reached the end, my muscles and joints felt quite unfatigued. It was really enjoyable. Thanks again for showing us the light.
—Dave, Menlo Park, CA, March 2019

Got your email and the Google Drive files - this is unbelievably helpful. Lisa R, San Francisco. August 2022

I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your exceptional guidance and ...(for explaining the) principles in a clear and engaging manner. Your easy-to-remember tips and thoughtful instructions have not only helped my but also inspired me to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for Chi Running with others. I am excited to see where this newgound knowledge will take me in my running endeavors. Once again, thak you for being an outsstanding instructor and helping me ryunb better. Amit K. San Leandro. July 2023

 

Hey Ed! Just wanted to update you. I had a fitness test today. I normally run the 1.5 miles in 10:20 and I’m dying. Today I ran it in 10:09 and I was doing fine after! Passed the test and ready to ship out end of August! Thanks again for your help!  Wade W, San Jose, CA. July 2022

Thanks for checking in. I am loving getting the chi running down--so much more stamina and easier on the body. Cyndy F, San Jose, CA, July 2022

In addition to the great coaching session, I really appreciated the thorough summary and videos I received after the session. It was great to have a detailed summary in one place that I can review and apply to my future runs. I am confident the techniques and behaviors I learned during the workshop will be valuable to me in the years to come as it will help me run pain-free and keep running for as long as I want.
—Gail, February 2021

 

Eric continues to run regularly (a new thing for him) as a result of your workshop.
—Eric’s wife Jennifer, August 2020

 

I am so happy to Chi running now. My cadence goes up to about 180 and I feel running lighter and smoother. I am enjoying running much more than before. I don’t have any race coming up right now and just enjoy summertime morning running. I would definitely love to come to your level II class to learn more.
—Newchi, June 2021

 

It’s been two and a half years since you taught me to lean forward and make my spine like a needle in cotton. Two weekends ago I finished the LA marathon. OK, so the walkers were walking faster than I ran, but I still finished in 8 hours. I wanted to thank you for your help and let you know your teaching has long lasting effects!
—Marjorie, April 2019

 

Running pain free for a 55 year old guy with 4 knee surgeries (not running related) is a miracle…Although not all due to your coaching, it certainly has helped.
—Phil, June 2018

 

Thanks for the pictures and thanks for the workshop. Was fun, inspirational and very instructive. I actually went for a 10k run at Almaden quicksilver park just after the workshop and tried to work on the different things. Came out from the run feeling very refreshed and not sore at all. Actually shaved 3 min from the time I got at the same place last week even though experiencing the run as less strenuous. Thanks for sending the videos and the additional pointers. Once again, I feel it very helpful and informative.
—Fredrik, April 2018

 

(Note: This testimonial is longer than most, but worth the read. Sent to me a month after the Chi Running Workshop.)

On Sat, I just completed the Dick Collins Firetrails 50 miler run in the East Bay hills, and more importantly, I ran it under 11 hours (11 hours is the requirement for getting into the Western States 100 mile lottery). It was a really, really difficult 50 miler – mostly steep climbs and descents – all the way from San Leandro along the east bay hills, up to the ridge above Berkeley and then all the way back.

It was really hard for me to do much “Chi Running”, but, I hit the turn-around (25 miles in 5 and 1/2 hours (trail running is very slow when it is mostly steep hills). I had absolutely “dead” legs, and my hamstrings were about to cramp badly and yet I knew I would obviously have to run EVEN HARDER on the way back in order to break 11 hours. There were some rolling hills of short duration (maybe 3 – 4 miles max) where I knew I could push it harder, but only if I could do with very MINIMAL ENERGY expenditure (hamstrings were about to explode by mile 35 so I knew I could not do traditional running on them). So on those rolling hills, especially under the giant redwoods, I made my “column”, abs/core tight and flat, got my lean going, legs bent, arms at 90* with short pumping for propulsion, lower body relaxed and I just let the trail come to me, picking up cadence and just put each foot back under my body as I kept the lean going…. And guess what??? IT WAS almost EFFORTLESS and I was FLYING!! (Felt like I was flying) and I was passing runners right and left from mile 37 to the end at mile 50, and I was doing this after 9 hours of running! And more importantly, I DID NOT CRAMP because I WAS NOT PUSHING THAT HARD with my legs…I was CHI RUNNING…well, probably not exactly Chi Running, but what I learned definitely helped, because I finished in 10:32 (10 hours and 32 mins) so I ran the second half 1/2 hour faster than the first half. And now I can enter WS100 mile lottery this fall!!
—Lance, San Leandro, CA

 

I have no more knee or hamstring pain. I ran my 2nd half marathon a week ago and recovered much quicker than last year.
—Veronia Presedo, San Jose, CA

 

Ran the San Francisco Half Marathon yesterday using many of the tips from our Chi Running clinic in January. PR’d at 2:09:58 and best of all…felt way better than usual today. My legs don’t feel thrashed! Here’s the first sign that my legs felt great afterwards: during the walk to the shuttle bus I didn’t look like I was on a Death March!

The 6 miles on the Great Highway are almost perfectly flat. By working on lean and the one-legged stance it felt like I was running downhill. Late in the race having things to focus on other than discomfort helped me keep my form from falling apart. So cool!
—Loyd Ochiro, San Francisco, CA

 

So far I’ve logged 220.8mi (1st place in the Taji 100) in February and I must give you and the Chi-running method full credit! I’ve implemented your teachings and found the post training email/pictures/video/critique to be incredibly valuable. Prior to understanding the Chi-running principles, I found myself after shorter paced based runs 5K’s & 10K’s dealing with post workout aches and pain. I can honestly say that after logging over 200+ miles in 22 days (power walks included) I’m virtually pain free. In the past I had chronic knee, lower back and hip pain due in most part to poor running form.
—Bertrand N., San Francisco

 

I have been practicing and really enjoy the ChiRunning technique. It is challenging but I can feel the benefits from it already.
—Brad H., Sacramento, CA

 

Thank you Ed! I had a blast learning about ChiWalking. I thought you did a fabulous job instructing us, I hope to be able to attend the follow up!
—Sheryl G., Scotts Valley, CA

 

You have really made this training enjoyable for us. Thank you!!!!
—Dadri S., Aptos, CA

 

Just thought I’d let you know that I practiced hip rotations today on a long walk/run I did. Amazing difference I must say. Less bounce for sure. Thanks for all your encouragement, support and good feedback!
—Nancy Z., Boulder Creek, CA

 

Thank you so much for the fun chi running class. What a wonderful way of running. I really want to master it!!! Thanks again, Ed; you’re the best! It’s weird to run with no pain!!
—Meaghan B.. Santa Cruz, CA

 

Thank you so much for giving us your time, advice and support. You are the best coach. Thank you for inspiring all of us to be better people and athletes.
—Jen S., Ben Lomond, CA

 

Ed’s training helped me successfully start running again after 25 years. His chi training is superb and his passion for nature and people is contagious.
—Nancy Z., Boulder Creek, CA

 

Thanks for asking about the breathing. I went on a 6 mile run/walk in Nisene Marks last Thursday and used the breathing suggestions. And I used the other chi running elements you taught us: the stretching, the alignment, engaging the abdomen, placement in the middle of the foot, leaning from the ankles, small steps; and it’s the first time I’ve been able to run comfortably and can see that I am going to be able to breathe and improve. Not only that, but when I did zumba and racquetball on the weekend I could feel that my stamina is improving and I can run for the ball better. So the value of running for cross training is beginning to be apparent. It was exciting for me to see that it actually works to use these techniques. I’m so glad that there is going to be a group that you’re putting together. Just let me know when.
—Holly H., Santa Cruz, CA

 

Yesterday I rode my bike and popped a tire about 5 miles from the house in a rural canyon. I walked a bit, tried jogging with bike cleats (not a good idea), and finally decided to give my socks a try, I ran over 3 miles on pavement with bike in the right hand and helmet in the left; about 10 minutes/mile. I ran on the solid white line along the roadside and felt great! Best new is that my supposedly “arthritic hip” and associated pain in the right calf have disappeared! Thanks, Ed…and Chi Running!
—Paul, San Jose, CA

 

And many more.