Part two of the Toronto Chronicles:
One of the simplest forms of exercise to strengthen the body, build endurance, boost recovery, improve suppleness, relax and build confidence is:
Ground Movement.
A key element of training that I brought home from Toronto is the amount of ground movement that was done in each class. Classes nearly always began and ended with some ground movement. Many of the classes also had lots of ground movement during the classes.
Vladimir made a point of saying that ground movement is a great thing to do, especially at the end of the day, as it relaxes and de-stresses you.
For many adults ground movement can seem, well, child like. Falling, rolling, crawling, wrestling and twisting movements as an adult can feel strange and awkward physically. It can also make people feel self conscious emotionally.
I see it every week when new people start training. For some it is so strange that they can’t get over it. They struggle and then give up.
However, if you can get over this, and persevere for just a few weeks it will give you more bang for your buck than any other type of movement. Why I hear you ask?
Firstly, it will relax you physically. Most adults are so stiff and tense! Mainly due to the stress of modern life. When you move on the ground you use every muscle that you have. As you do it the body starts to relax and you see people start to smile first in their faces and then in their whole bodies as they begin to move smoothly and easily. BUT, you have to learn to do it with relaxation, and there lies the skill and most of the benefit.
Secondly, it is great exercise. Our body is the thing that we will carry around with us for the rest of our lives. If you can move it up and down and around on the ground with ease and continue to do a little each week or even better each day, you will always be able to do this, whatever age you are lucky enough to reach. It will improve your strength, cardio vascular system, vestibular (balance) system and proprioceptive skills amongst other things.
Thirdly, it is low impact and therefore will not wear your joints.
Fourth it will relax you mentally. As your body relaxes so does your mind and you are left soft and supple on the outside and relaxed and at ease on the inside.
Finally in terms of self defence if you can lose your fear of the ground, falling or being thrown, and get comfortable on the ground, your skills will become more complete and a new world will open up to you.
Watch your children or grandchildren. They are so happy most of the time because they move so much of thier body, so much of the time. One minute they are crying (and you will notice they will be still or static at this point) the next they will be tearing around and laughing.
The more of you that you can move, with freedom and ease, the happier you will become. It is when you get tense emotionally and then tense physically that you clam up, stop moving and become unhappy.
Haden, one of the group that travelled to Toronto mentioned that after just one week of daily ground movement he felt that his body was softer, healthier and move relaxed.
If you fancy a 21 day ground movement challenge, click the link below, it is starting in a few days!
Here is a short clip of ground movement to give you some ideas. Nothing special or complicated but great for all round health and free movement.
You must be logged in to post a comment.