Finding health and inner peace by ChiRunning

According to Chinese philosophy, tai chi is the ultimate origin of the cosmos. It has also inspired ChiRunning — a combination of tai chi and running, which is purported to reduce injury.

The training philosophy, founded by ultramarathon runner Danny Dreyer from the United States, has gained popularity globally. It emphasizes a leaning posture, muscle relaxation, mental-mindfulness, and a systematic breathing method.

In 2017, Wen Yi, 52, an avid runner from Huizhou, went to Shenzhen and Hong Kong for a ChiRunning training event that was taught by Dreyer. Wen had aches in his knees and fainted once during a marathon, so he decided to find a safer and more efficient running method.

"ChiRunning combines the essence of tai chi philosophy and techniques of running, it's a scientific running system that prevents you from being injured," Wen says.

"Tai chi was originally an ancient Chinese wisdom that was published in books. There are more people learning about the wisdom through the fitness activity, and starting to comprehend the meaning of life," he says.