Flow is the response to our brain from a specific movement that triggered a chain reaction through the entire system. Flow is to perform with awareness of ones-self.The reason "Flow" has been defined in the beginning is to allow you to understand the next item that is creating connectivity inside your mind and body or what I like to call therapeutic practice. Imagine the time when you were a toddler crawling around your home, the moment you started crawling your brain decided to register these movements to help create patterns which will help you excel in the next stage. The registered movements eventually allowed you to take those first steps, but the most important thing that was registered in your conscious brain and then disappeared was the "state of strength".
State of strength is the foundation of flow movements, the strength that is essential for you to take control of your body in its most natural state. Flow is the gateway to defining your state of strength.
FLOW AS A THERAPEUTIC PRACTICE
More than a style of movement, flow is a psychological state of being. You need only to give yourself permission to get lost in what you love. As we get older, our lives will be embraced by more hardships and different levels of problems. These problems will accumulate tension that restricts our being. Flow states dissolve this immobility. Flow resolves the mind chatter, doubts, negativity, pessimistic state.
It’s not a prescription or an exact formula. As a beginner to the movement, I have found a beautiful balance, and love. The idea behind flow movement is to start the process of healing. People emerge from behind their masks and lose their fears of being vulnerable. The movements deliberately put you on edge to overcome your fears, and start being mindful about the boundaries that have been created in your body. Flow is about breaking boundaries and creating a primal sensation within the body.
Some of the movement practices might not be for you, well the heck this might not be for you all at. The idea is to start somewhere, a place where you feel comfortable just enough that it makes you uncomfortable to stay there for a long time.
Observe, listen, and take the pieces that draw your interest.
Move and practice. Get to know the movement deeply in your body, pay attention to how it feels. Creating a practice of filming yourself is going to be important for finding those end ranges to overcome.
Find your sticking points and your weak areas. Take this is valuable information and use it to direct your fitness training.
If nothing else, follow the love and enjoy the experience of getting lost in it. It’s not so much how you do it as it is having the space to be yourself. What you'll learn it is priceless.
IMPACTS ON WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting has become a very popular sport in the last 10 years, from the majority of countries participating in the current on-going World Weightlifting Championships. It was timely that I make this distinction between the impacts of flow on weightlifting.
Flow, as we have mentioned above is a psychological state of being, and Weightlifting, as I like to call it is the psychological state of strength hence the preface on "state of strength". It requires tremendous amounts of will-power and strength to be able to execute a specific life (i.e. Snatch + Clean & Jerk) with precision form and mental toughness. However, in order for you become a weightlifter, you must first master the art of movement. Here is a brief on:
An Olympic Progression
In order to see the applications and relationships between flow and weightlifting. You must first master your bodyweight, some offset-center-of-mass lifts, DB lifts, powerlifts, PVC pipe overhead squats for at least a few years before you attempt any barbell Olympic lifts.
From a joint-by-joint approach, you’re particularly going to need
= Ankle mobility
= Hip mobility
= T(horacic)-spine mobility
From a joint-by-joint approach, you’re particularly going to need
= Ankle mobility
= Hip mobility
= T(horacic)-spine mobility
Some simple beginner flow movements such as:
Curtsy Lunge to Front Knee Kick to Single Leg Burpee Clasp hands together just under the chin. Step backward and to the side in a lunge with right leg, keeping left heel to the ground. Step up and bring right knee to chest, engaging core and squeezing left glute. Without touching the ground with right leg, lean forward. Place hands to the ground and jump back into plank position keeping right leg lifted. Jump forward with left leg, right knee to chest. Repeat. Do 10 reps on both sides.
Start in plank position with hands on the ground. Put right elbow on the ground and then place left elbow on the ground, assuming plank position. Keep hips as steady as possible, engaging the core and squeezing glutes. Place right hand on the ground, then left, to push your body up. Repeat 4 times. Then jump forward with feet on side of hands in a low squat position and jump back again into plank position. Do this 4 times. All of this is one rep. Repeat 6 times.
Start on all fours with knees off the ground. Lift left hand and right foot off the ground simultaneously. Bring right leg to underneath body and kick to the left, pointing toes and leaving butt close to the ground, holding body up with right hand on ground and left heel. Bring left fist to chest. Open chest to the ceiling. Hold for a few seconds. Return to starting position then repeat on opposite side. Do 8 reps on each side.
These few flow movements are the first start to creating a holistic body with an encompassed mind. So, challenge yourself today to incorporate Flow in your fitness training.
Comments
Post a Comment