Mindful Movement & our Chi, with Dr. Larry Cammarata Running Anthropologist

How can I cultivate and balance energy in my running, and in life? What is mindful running? What is the difference between Tai Chi, Qigong, and other martial arts? All these questions and much more are answered in this interview conducted between Tampa, Florida and Ponte de Lima, Portugal- shortly after our chance meeting while I was on pilgrimage along the "Camino de Santiago". For more about that, listen to upcoming and past episodes on the Camino!

Dr. Larry Cammarata is a self-described "Chi Runner" and Mindful Movement Teacher, which means he applies the eastern traditional concepts of chi energy work to his running, notably techniques of relaxation and energy balance to injury-free running, developed by Danny and Katherine Dreyer. He knows eastern traditions of wellness, and is in fact an instructor of Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong, and has received advanced training in these arts, as well as being a practitioner over the past several decades. In our conversation, we discuss mindfulness practices and the joy of running in the classic methodology of Danny Dreyer, Chi Running, which is described as "a revolutionary approach to effortless, injury free running". Perhaps not completely effortless or now completely new, this method relaxes the body and allows the energy to flow in such a way that posture and mindful movement align, breathing is integrated with ease, and there is overall less stress on the body.

"Mindfulness" has been used much more often in practical ways throughout society in recent years, and applied to many facets of life. Larry is on the peaceful edge of this work, and is encouraged by the movement to slow down and bring awareness to our daily practices, including running, something he fosters in his work and life. He and his wife Linda (RN, RYT) are a dynamic team who also happen to run mindfulness retreats exploring different cultures and places across the globe: www.mindfulnesstravels.com - In his work as a licensed psychologist who specializes in mindfulness-based therapy and education, he includes the science and practice of mindful movement!

If you would like to know more about the above retreats or his ongoing travels and running adventures, Larry welcomes you to reach out through his own website, or link to all the methodologies and info we discuss at the Running Anthropologist blogsite: www.runninganthropologist.com

You can also message or follow us @RunningAntropologist on Instagram and Facebook!