Pat's Credentials and Inspiring Story

Pat Reichenbach's Credentials
Teaching Experience and Certifications

Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
IFTA Certified Senior Fitness Specialist
ChiRunning® and ChiWalking® Certified Instructor
CPR Certified by the American Heart Association

Pat really enjoys the opportunities she is given to inspire, motivate and educate. She feels confident teaching one-on-one as well as in group situations. She has taught boys and girls, men and women, ages 4 through 86.

Pat has been in the teaching profession for most of her adult life. Her experience began with teaching Red Cross and YWCA swim lessons while still in college. After earning her degree in Physical Education, Pat taught Phys Ed in public schools. But, her favorite sport was gymnastics, so she focused on coaching private gymnastics for 15 years and also taught group aerobics until back surgery sidelined her. All of Pat's experiences and education contribute to her teaching skills as a Personal Trainer as well as a ChiRunning and ChiWalking instructor.

Pat is pleased to say that her teaching methods always emphasize correct technique and safe execution, and her knowledge of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology is a real plus in understanding injuries and other physical limitations.

Pat says, "helping someone to improve their level of health and fitness is so worthwhile - and it's really fun!"

Inspired by ChiRunning
Pat's Story

After a spinal fusion in 1989, Pat had no problem doing aerobics, weight training, bicycling, swimming, water skiing or snow skiing. But running always hurt her lower back, gave her shin splints and aggravated an old knee injury. Eventually, Pat gave up running completely.

In 2004 after not running at all for 15 years, Pat decided to add small segments of running to her workout. After a year, she was cautiously running 2 miles on the treadmill, aware that her back, knee and shins were easily aggravated.

Then in early 2005 Pat read an article about ChiRunning, described as an injury-free and energy-efficient form of running that centered on correct postural alignment. Danny Dreyer, the founder and creator of ChiRunning, was coming to Raleigh to give a lecture and workshop.

Pat attended his lecture and was immediately convinced. That weekend, she took her running outdoors, incorporated what she learned and ran 3 miles! In a few months, her weekly long run became six (6) miles, then ten (10) miles - pain free and absolutely pleasurable. Running quickly became her favorite activity and she knew that she wanted to teach ChiRunning to others as well.

In April 2006, Pat Reichenbach was certified by Danny Dreyer as a ChiRunning and ChiWalking instructor, and has had the pleasure of teaching ChiRunning every single week since then.