Training with Chi Formulas

Building up to a marathon, triathlon, or other event you are most likely in a high stress phases of training interspersed with periodic recovery periods. One of the key principles is to push to your potential, but know yourself enough not to push until you break. That being said, one of the keys to not “breaking” is allowing your body to recover and rebalance after your training. You may utilize stretching, weight training, icing, orthodic shoes or other injury prevention techniques to this end. Chi Herbal would like to introduce you to an additional method: Chi Formulas.

Used throughout history by select royalty and martial arts masters in East Asia, secret Chi Formulas have been used to promote health and longevity for over 1000 years. Chi Herbal is a unique provider of these formulas and therapy movements. Chi Formulas help you recover faster, prevent injury and maintain a healthy overall condition longer. In addition, these formulas, when used in conjunction with key movements called Chi Therapies, provide even greater benefits. Here are some suggestions for incorporating Chi Herbal Formulas into your daily training and main event competitions.

Topical spray for daily training
Foot Energy Spray and Harmonizing Spray are staples for daily training. Foot Energy Spray is specifically designed for the hips and down, while Harmonizing Spray is used on the upper body. Before and after running, biking, swimming or weight training, spray the appropriate formula on your feet, knees, lower back, shoulder or any other body area that you feel is overly taxed during your training. These formulas help reduce soreness and fatigue, and help to alleviate stresses that if left unattended, can eventually result in injury. To better maintain joint condition, use the Chi Herbal formulas in conjunction with one of the appropriate Chi Therapies.

Rest day tune up
If you want to increase recovery on a rest day, try a Tea Bath foot soak. Pour ¼ bottle (8 ounces) into a foot tub, and add water. In most cases, it is preferable to add warm water, and soak your feet for 15-30 minutes. If you are concerned about using heat, then soak using room temperature water. The Tea Bath is a concentrated herbal formula that helps bring circulation to the feet, alleviate foot soreness and balance the energy in your feet. If you do a foot soak on the morning of your rest day, your feet will get more benefit from resting – with balanced Chi or energy, the body is able to recover more quickly and effectively.

If, during your training, you strain a particular area of your lower body (ex. knee, ankle, hip or foot), use the Athletic Herbal Wrap. The Athletic Wrap is a concentrated formula of Chinese herbs, worn topically for 12-24 hours. The wrap brings Chi to the traumatized area, helping the body naturally recover more quickly.

The Athletic Herbal Wrap can also be used as a general “tune up” on your rest day. As previously mentioned, injuries tend to be the result of compounded stress, fatigue or weakness. In these cases, Chi or energy flow is off balance or weak. Using an Athletic Wrap on a joint is a good prevention measure, helping to strengthen and re-balance energy in the joint.

Traveling to your event
Traveling can take a lot out of you, especially when you’re concerned about being in top form for your race. You will most likely be flying, staying in a hotel with an unfamiliar bed, eating food inconsistent with your normal diet and dealing with other logistical aspects of travel. When you arrive at your race destination, adjourn to your hotel for a full body Harmonizing Bath. It’s a way of relieving stress, balancing jet lag effects, and bringing the mind and body together. After a bath you may be extremely relaxed, but the next day, it will help you be alert, calm and clear-minded for the race.

Easy-to-use wraps, sprays, baths and teas that help you prevent injury, recover faster and maintain condition longer. Learn more>>

Movements, stretches and therapies to promote flexibility, strength and balance. Learn more>>

Pre race preparation
Use Foot Energy and Harmonizing Spray liberally. If a joint or muscle group tends to feel strained when you run at a race pace, apply Foot Energy to that area as well. When you are applying it, make sure you apply it before applying any lubrication or sunscreen you may be using. Petroleum based lubricants and waterproof sunscreens will seal the skin, making Foot Energy and Harmonizing Spray much less effective.

Post race recovery
You may be mentally and physically relieved and happy about your finish, but don’t take a break yet, you have some maintenance to do. Whenever you compete you shock your system. At a microscopic level this shock can take the form of micro-tears and ruptured cells. To help the body more quickly re-balance, do the following:

• Immediately after the race, apply Foot Energy to your lower body and any area that is feeling weak. Apply Harmonizing Spray to the upper body.
• The night following the race, take a full body Harmonizing Bath. It’s like getting a massage for the inside of your body.
• To rebalance internally, use Chi Herbal Revitalizing Formula. An ounce a day for the week following the race will do wonders for resetting your energy and helping you recover from your efforts both mentally and physically.
• If you overstressed a particular part of your body, use an Athletic Herbal Wrap. Apply it for 12-24 hours. Depending on the severity of the condition, you can do multiple wraps. If you are going to wear multiple Athletic Wraps in succession, for best results wear one for 12-24 hours, take 24 hours off and then repeat.

Injury recovery
If through training or during a race you sustain an injury or feel like you are headed for one, wear an Athletic Herbal Wrap for the recommended 12-24 hours. More specific direction is available in the Prevention and Recovery section of the site. In general, the Athletic Herbal Wrap works great for foot, ankle, calf, knee and thigh conditions. It also works well for the lower back, elbow and wrist. When applying an Athletic Herbal Wrap, make sure to apply it over the area of greatest pain or discomfort. Sometimes this is straightforward, and sometimes it takes some forethought. If you have questions, give us a call or send an email to: customerservice@chiherbal.com.