Slowing Down to Run Faster: A Sense-able Approach to Movement

by Edward Yu

A trainer and former triathlete shows you how to achieve the results you want with a new multidisciplinary approachWhy does trying harder sometimes become an exercise in futility? Why does following "expert advice" often lead to little or no improvement? What if there were an efficient way of learning that could be applied to every area of human experience? Drawing from the principles of Bagua, Taichi, and Feldenkrais, Edward Yu presents an innovative approach to power, speed, and agility are more related to your ability to sense your own body than to willpower or raw talent. Centering the art of running as an explorative, creative, and somatic-based practice, Yu shows us how to run faster by learning to become more sensible--that is, more sense-able--through the playful and systematic exploration of movement.

Genres: Fitness

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2020

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the philosophy in this book. Slowing Down to Run Faster is as much about slowing down mentally as it is physically. The author makes a great case for mindful running.

One caveat in my review is that I admittedly didn’t test out all the suggested exercises. However, this author’s knowledge of human mechanics and not just the human psyche, but the runner psyche were enough for me to recommend this book.

Had I landed on it a year ago, I’d have either set it aside or hated it, but it happened upon my path at just the right time.

Whether you’re a runner wondering why you can’t get faster, someone contemplating running, or an advanced runner interested in navigating some common mental traps runners can fall into, this book is for you!

If you just want to go as fast as possible all the time:

1) you’ll probably hate this book
2) my thoughts and prayers are with your ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones
3) you’ll probably hate me saying this too, but you’d probably benefit from some therapy (said with the utmost respect and appreciation for therapy)

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good advice in this book which I couldn't use because I am a runner who almost never "feels good" while running, and I couldn't run much slower. The last half is all exercises. I find this annoying because mid-stretch or exercise I always have to get out of the contortion to consult the extensive directions.

[Filipa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended for runners and non-runners alike! This book provides such a refreshing perspective on running—completely contrary to what I’ve been able to find in any of the other running or fitness books in the bookstore. It is insightful, delightfully narrated, and appropriate not only for runners, but I believe for anyone interested in going through life with increased awareness.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

100/10 stars, I don’t often buy a book to reference in my journey, this book is being added to my shelf.

[Jeff · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am beyond disappointed in this so-called new book “Slowing Down to Run Faster: a sensible approach to movement” by Edward Yu. Having read “The Mass Psychology of Fittism” published in 2015 and his first book “The Art if Slowing Down: a sensible approach to running faster” published In 2010. Here in lies my great disappointment, the new book is nearly the exact same book “The Art if Slowing Down: a sensible approach to running faster” for 276 pages. It is the old book “The Art” with small modifications and one new section Lessons 21-26 and a rewritten Acknowledgment. This is a rip-off for those of us who have the old book and I spent top dollar for maybe one new chapter - 40 pages. What is most distressing is there is no indication provided that this is essentially and updated version of the same book. It is literally a repackaging job and I am not amused. I may send it back. IF YOU HAVE “The Art if Slowing Down: a sensible approach to running faster” YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ IT AGAIN WITH ONE NEW SECTION. ED you lost a reader.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting. I was not able to do the exercises at the end, but I do like the author's emphasis on being mindful before and during the run. Running can become boring if it is perceived as another task to be done, rather than the potential for a new experience. I also liked how the author emphasized that running is something that encompasses the whole body, and not just the lower extremities. Thus, attention must be given to them to lessen the risk of injuries. I will incorporate his teachings by not using headphones while trail running, and looking at the mirror during a treadmill run to observe my form and footwork.