BodySense Fitness was created by Certified ChiRunning Instructor, Tracy Bigari in 2010. Our focus is to show individuals ways to stay physically active that foster the mind-body connection and “make sense.” We are based in suburban Milwaukee.
Tracy’s Story
“I ran my first marathon in 2005 to raise money for cancer research. Despite being an only occasional fitness runer before that experience, I found I really enjoyed training for and running the marathon. What I did not enjoy however was icing my knees after every long-run, and spending hundreds of dollars on chiropractics, active-release, massage and PT when I experienced a sudden attack of Illiotibial Band Syndrome 3 weeks before the race.
When I decided to get back into distance running after the birth of my third child in 2008, I knew there had to be a better way. I called a friend who had overcome severe back pain and had since completed several marathons, and she told me to check out ChiRunning. I immediately ordered the ChiRunning book and was struck by how much sense it all made.
I realized I had never been “taught” how to run. I had been taught to swim, taught to play basketball, tennis, volleyball, golf, but running had been something I just did by instinct. Apparently, my instincts were not that good!
The ChiRunning book made me realize that there was a much better way to move my body through this act of running, and that it didn’t have to be painful or hard. By learning to properly position my body and cooperating with the laws of nature and physics, running quickly became much easier and much less painful.
Gone are the days of a freezer full of ice-cups and mega-sized bottles of ibuprofen. I still have occasional twinges, but now I know what to focus on to self-correct and address any pain that may arise during a run. My body and I are in constant conversation – I am always body sensing!
I purchased the ChiRunning book in late 2008 and attended my first ChiRunning workshop in the spring of 2009. The workshop really helped to clarify a lot of the technique and drill it into my body. Soon I was telling everyone who would listen about ChiRunning and how it was helping me and could help them. My husband nicknamed me the “Chi Evangilist.” So many people I knew were struggling with running injuries, and I knew ChiRunning could help them.
In December 2009, I decided to train to become a Certified ChiRunning Instructor. After more than six months of self-study, practice teaching and a 4-day intensive intructor training workshop, I received my certfication in July of 2010!
I am so happy to be able to share the gift of ChiRunning and ChiWalking with all of you. I know there is a better, more healthy, more rewarding way to run, and I want to help you experience it too! Don’t struggle one more day with your nagging injury or feeling that running is just not for you. I believe we are all born to run, we just need to learn to do it correctly! “