ChiRunning® & ChiWalking®
Learn to run or walk with greater ease and less risk of injury.
Developed by nationally ranked ultra marathoner Danny Dreyer, the ChiRunning® and ChiWalking® techniques focus on improving postural alignment and biomechanics to greatly reduce the risk of injuries, aches and pains, and soreness. At the same time, the techniques provide a framework to practice focusing the mind, engaging the core, and relaxing the rest of the body. These skills will benefit you in all aspects of your life, not just your running or walking program. The ChiRunning® and ChiWalking® techniques can be beneficial to anyone, but they can be particularly of value to:
- Long-time runners or walkers who have scaled back or quit because of injury
- Competitive runners or and fitness runners/walkers seeking to improve their form and performance
- Beginning runners/walkers who want to learn proper technique
- Practitioners of yoga, Pilates, or martial arts looking for a complementary cardio-aerobic activity
To learn more aboout ChiRunning® and ChiWalking®, click here. Read below for opportunities to learn the techniques from Ease of Motion owner Alice Peters Diffely, a Certified ChiRunning® & ChiWalking® Master Instructor in Portland, Oregon.
Improved Postural Alignment for Runners & Walkers
Learn tips to improve postural alignment to help you run or walk with greater ease and less risk of injury. Workshop will draw from principles of ChiRunning® & ChiWalking®, and will also include gentle yoga poses and simple breathing techniques. All levels are welcome, but participants should be able to get up and down from the floor with ease.
- Next anticipated offering in early 2024
- Online via Zoom
- Registration is usually offered through Portland Community College's Community Education/Recreation & Wellness Department. Check back here for details about future offerings.
ChiWalking® Half-Day Introductory Workshop
Learn to walk with greater ease and less risk of injury by improving postural alignment and patterns of movement. Develop skills to focus your mind, move from your center, and walk in a manner that is both strong and relaxed.
- Saturday, October 7, 2023 from noon-4pm PDT
- In-person at PCC's Sylvania Campus in SW Portland
- Most of the workshop will take place outdoors at PCC's track. Dependent on the weather, portions may take place indoors in a large gymnasium.
- Registration will be through Portland Community College's Community Education/ Recreation & Wellness Department. Once registration has opened, details will be posted here. In the meantime, individual and small group sessions are available by appointment.
ChiRunning® Half-Day Introductory Workshop
Learn to run with greater ease and less risk of injury by improving postural alignment and patterns of movement. Develop skills to focus your mind, move from your center, and run in a manner that is both strong and relaxed.
- Saturday, September 30, 2023 from noon-4pm PDT
- In-person at PCC's Sylvania Campus in SW Portland.
- Most of the workshop will take place outdoors at PCC's track. Dependent on the weather, portions may take place indoors in a large gymnasium.
- Registration will be through Portland Community College's Community Education/ Recreation & Wellness Department. Once registration has opened, details will be posted here. In the meantime, individual and small group sessions are available by appointment.
Individual & Small Group Sessions Available by Appointment
Whether you're a new or returning client, finetune your running or walking form with an individual or small group ChiRunning® or ChiWalking® session with Alice.
- For new individual clients, schedule a pair of 2-hour sessions, ideally spaced 1-2 weeks apart. Cost is $120 per 2-hour session.
- Sliding scale rates for 4-hour small group workshop. (2 people = $140 per person; 3 people = $130 per person; 4 people = $120 per person; 5 to 7 people = $110 per person; 8 to 10 people = $100 per person.)
- For returning individual clients, schedule 1-hour Refresher Sessions with Alice for $75 each time. Discounted pricing will be offered if you schedule with a friend.
- Most sessions are held at either Duniway Park track in SW Portland or Grant Park track in NE Portland. For returning clients interested in focusing on hill and trail running or hiking technique, we might meet in Forest Park or another wooded area.
- Contact Alice at alice@easeofmotion.net or at 503.962.9994 to schedule.
Portland ChiRunning® Meetup Group
On a periodic basis, Alice offers free informational sessions through the Portland ChiRunning® Meetup Group. These events typically include a brief overview of the ChiRunning® technique, a mindful approach to running aimed at helping us learn to move with greater ease and less risk of injury. Alice provides participants with a preliminary critique of their running form, as well as some initial tips to help them on their way to improved running technique. The group runs short distances at a relaxed pace. Anyone from new runners to accomplished endurance athletes will benefit. Individuals who are experienced with ChiRunning® are also welcome to attend to refresh their skills. Next event:
- Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 7:30am-9:00am PDT
- Grant Park track in NE Portland
- RSVP here.