Why Move? Why Movement?

You could be forgiven if you thought that natural movement is just today's buzz words, like jazz-boxercise-kick-kettle-functional-boot camp. There's a dazzling array of gym and non-gym based exercises classes and styles, so just what the hell is so important and different about movement? Well, the simple answer is that it is generally aimed at all round fitness through - can you guess?

Through moving! 

Its that simple, and yet it isn't simple either. It hasn't really gone mainstream yet, but it is picking up followers. The appeal of movement is that it is so often about expression and attention, discipline and self-control (some say mindfulness but that term itself is become overworked). It's not competitive, its general rather than specialised, and while there are some amazing athletes out there pulling shapes to admire with awe, its really very accessible, and deliberately so. Because movement is a thing that everyone can do, it is part of our natural heritage, we just live in a culture that doesn't encourage being active for the sheer embodied enjoyment of it. Sports are acceptable, they are about competition, dominance and supremacy, we have the cultural patterns to support that. But, you want to climb a tree or jump a railing and vault a wall? And it's not a competition? What is the point of that?

Ido Portal is a leading exponent of movement, being strongly influenced by capoeira. I wasn't that fussed until I tried some of the things he does and now I'm a little more respectful. Have a look here. Closer to home, Dan Edwardes of Parkour Generations has got to be one of the most thoughtful voices and exponents of movement. His blog posts are always great, and the most recent about the importance of mind to good movement is spot on. I've mentioned Ben Medder before, he is based in London and is influenced and taught by pretty much anyone of significance in the movement movement. He'll teach you some stuff, I know that because he taught me a great deal at the recent MovNat certification courses he ran. He runs regular classes and has a great all round philosophy and calm manner. Check out his website here.

One of the approaches that inspires a lot of people who like crashing around in the great wide outdoors is MovNat, started up by Erwan Le Corre, a French man living in paradise. I'm sure to go on about about MovNat, because I think that it has a great deal going for it, and it captures a romantic idea of getting strong and fit in the natural environment, using real tasks and actions, ideally in group, for the purpose of being generally useful.

So, if the gym and organised sport is your idea of no fun, look out for a movement class; natural or parkour. They sound intimidating but from my experience you will be welcomed warmly and many of the people who do them will be pleased to share what they know to help you.