Aging with Grace: ChiWalking your way to fitness

Research tells us moderate exercise, such as walking, has improved the health and longevity of millions of people. ChiWalking is an inspirational, mind-body, health and fitness program that will get you up and out, and moving toward better health.

ChiWalking combines modern physics with the ancient wisdom of T’ai Chi to create a whole body fitness program for people of any fitness level. It’s perfect for seniors to improve their health in a safe easy way.

1. Get Aligned — physically with your posture, mentally with your intentions.

2. Engage Your Core — physically with your lower abdominals, mentally by using your will power.

3. Create Balance — physically between your upper and lower body and also between the right side and the left side of your body, mentally by creating a balanced fitness program.

4. Make a Choice — physically to walk in a new way, mentally to create health.

5. Move Forward — physically with grace and ease, mentally by focusing your mind on the next mindful step.

These Five Mindful Steps take you through an entire health and fitness program that will leave you energized and looking forward to each walk.

The ChiWalking program offers 12 different types of walks to create a balanced and exciting health program. The “menu” of walks includes: a Cardio Walk, an Aerobic Walk, a Flexibility Walk, a Loosening Walk, a Focusing Walk, an Energizing Walk, a Walking Meditation and more.

The ChiWalking Form emphasizes proper biomechanics of walking, based on principles of T’ai Chi, including: good posture, loose joints, engaging one’s core muscles, and relaxing the peripheral muscles of the arms and legs. This approach makes walking easier on the body and helps improve and eliminate the aches, pains and discomfort of walking incorrectly. Since walking is such a basic, everyday movement, when your walking form is improved, the benefits are far-reaching.

As with any exercise always remember to wear proper gear. While it would seem that walking doesn’t require any extras, in the heat of summer, there are a few things to consider. Wear lightweight walking clothes and shorts. Short-sleeved shirts are common. However, be certain to apply ample amounts of sunscreen (preferably a sports-safe sunscreen that is sweat-proof. Reapply as needed).

As with any exercise it’s important to warm up. March in place for a few minutes or start the first five minutes of your exercise at a leisurely walking pace. Stretch your back, arms, legs and neck before going full throttle. And, don’t forget to stretch again when you’re done.

Take breaks. Don’t forget to rest, if necessary. Gently stretching muscles you’ve been using is an extra step to relieve tension during a ChiWalk.

ChiWalking has within it the deep philosophical and psychological attributes of the centuries-old practice of T’ai Chi, which presents the opportunity for spiritual exploration and the integration of body, mind and spirit. ChiWalking takes the benefits of walking beyond cardiovascular, aerobic and mental health, by addressing the needs of your whole person; joints and muscles, body and soul.

Though the summer heat may make one less likely to head outside, ChiWalking may make you change your mind. This new way of exercising offers elements of fun as well as health benefits. Why not start your own ChiWalking group? Just ask your neighbors if they’d like to have some fun and get fit!