Flow in Movement
16 Jul
One component of fitness that is typically overlooked is quality of movement. This is difficult to teach in a typical set/rep format, so it isn’t often incorporated into many programs. We try to work in movement work during warm ups and cooldowns, but this is really just the tip of the iceberg. There is a huge area to be explored here, and we look at some of that in my Monday night mobility class. Training the body to “flow” has so many benefits, as you’ll see in the link below..
Coach Scott Sonnon has often referred to aging as the loss of complexity. Think about it…the easiest way to guess someone’s age is to simply observe how they move. Range of motion AND smoothness of movement both degrade in the modern aging process. However, this loss of movement is NOT an inevitable fact of aging – it is simply a consequence of our modern lifestyle that has engineered all but the simplest of movements out of daily life. Even those who exercise diligently often are simply reinforcing this aging process – most modern gym movements are very simple and only move thru one plane of motion. With this loss of complex movement ability, injury eventually becomes certain, and aging accelerates.
Some of you may remember my good friend Ido Portal from Israel. He was in Portland for the workshops here last May. Ido has launched a new project “The Floreio Art” that will be an invaluable resource for anyone looking to improve their movement ability and flow. I intend to incorporate his new material into my own training, and suggest that you check into it, too! If there is enough interest, we may look into more of this material in my Monday night mobility class.
From Ido:
Floreio is a movement modality that involves high end development of joint mobility, strength, endurance, control, balance,
quality of movement, flexibility and dominance of one’s body all blended into a flowing, beautiful art.
For a demo of Floreio flow:
Floreio work is great complement for people who are already involved in some form of physical development practice: fitness enthusiasts, movement
artists, Yoga practitioners, crossfitters, power and speed sports participants, circus performers, dancers, martial artists, etc…
For more information about Floreio practice:
1. Email me with the subject line ‘Floreio’ to floreioart@gmail.com
2. visit my blog at: http://idoportal.blogspot.com/2009/07/floreio-art.html
hey scott,
that reminds me a bit of capoeira. i think i mentioned to you that i’m moving to a new apt at the top of mississippi soon. my neighbor-to-be is a copoeira instructor. i’ll see if i can get him to come down and have a chat with you if you are interested.
i remember working on some series of movements in the monday night classes months ago. i’d like to see more of that, and this by ido as well.
thanks,
a
Love what you said:
“our modern lifestyle that has engineered all but the simplest of movements out of daily life”
Watching that video, it looks like a few core moves there. On the downside, all of those moves are basically impossible. Kidding.
People! Go try your first Floreio workout:
http://idoportal.blogspot.com/2009/07/floreio-workout-number-1.html
A lot of gems in that article, enjoy,
Ido.