Month: February 2014

Nutrition 101

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Since I looked at the quality of movement and compared it to nutrition in the last post I have since come across this timely article.

Eat more organic proteins and vegetables, fruits and oils.  Nuts, seafood.  Real food.

Eat less processed sugar/carbohydrates, vegetable oils.

http://authoritynutrition.com/11-biggest-lies-of-mainstream-nutrition/

I have a friend who lost 3kg in a week just eating more vegetables and reducing carbohydrate intake.  What she lost was toxins and water but more importantly she has been feeling better with more energy.  Try it for yourself and see.

Look beyond the muscle

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So I’ve been reading a lot lately from various ‘experts’ in the training, health and movement world about training.  Even last night out at dinner, many raised the need to lengthen short muscles and strengthen weak muscles.  Makes sense doesn’t it?  Yes it does.  On paper.  That is why many people train themselves and others this way.  But do you know how many muscles there are in the body? Over 600!  So think about how much exercise you would have to do to correct any imbalances in the body if you took an isolationist approach and only considered the muscle.

Are you still counting or have you made the logical connection that there must be a better way?

If you are still counting then I’ll let you continue.  Otherwise, let us consider that the body is a system not just a random connection of parts.  So if all you do is lengthen and strengthen an individual body part then it is like tightening and loosening a tap to stop a leak.  Do you think it works?

And if this doesn’t work then what is the solution?  Well, if the body is a system then how about a systematic approach?  Instead of working the muscles in isolation and ending up with an ‘all show no go’ body that is impressive to look at but a lot less so when it is called upon to perform, how about learning to link the groups of muscle and bone and other tissue together so that you now have a whole team of united parts working together as one?  Which do you think is stronger?  This is connection, integration, motor control.

So the next time your health or fitness professional tries to tell you that you need to train your rotator cuff or serratus anterior alone to fix your shoulder, tricep or forearm symptoms, the next time your health or fitness professional tries to tell you that you need to train your VMO or your gluteus medius to fix your knee pain, tell him or her thanks but no thanks.

Too much modern junk

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Just as people are eating too much processed junk with little nutritional value, they are also consuming too much mindless, junk movement in their physical activity when they bother to do it.

 

There is an obsession with the calorie or measure of energy expenditure.  Junk meets that criteria.  But there is no nourishment to be had there no matter how much you consume of each. 

 

I’m thinking group fitness and bastardised yoga and gymnastics designed to lure people in and promise sweat and tears.

 

You are much better off with mindfully selecting and consuming lower amounts but greater quality of both food and movement/physical activity.  And then you shall reap the benefits. 

 

A bit of sweat and muscle burn should not be the yardstick to measure the quality of a training session.  Training is designed activity with a purpose.  A workout is just a random mix of limbs waving around.  You are not sheep!

 

Junk food will not nourish you and neither will junk movement.  Clean up, seek help and find your health again.

Hip internal rotation and why you must practice suburi

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Hip mobility is vital

This study compared hip rotation range of motion in judo athletes with and without a history of low back pain. Internal and external hip rotation range of motion in active and passive movement were measured. The back pain group exhibited a significant reduction in active internal rotation, and active total rotation in comparison with the control group.

Daily training designed to invigorate the body

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“As a Martial Artist I have no interest in what looks pretty I’m merely interested in the practical and the functional. I love the Martial Arts and want to train every single day so I refuse to do anything that will stop me getting up and doing what I love. I’ve ditched the training sessions that took three days to recover from and opted for ones that stimulate and invigorate my body on a daily basis. Understanding these concepts is fundamental to long term prosperity and health through the martial arts!”

http://shikon.com/2011/09/stimulating-the-system/

Physical Bearing (in martial arts)

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“The back of the neck should be straight, with strength focused in the nape.  Feeling the whole body from the shoulders down as one, lower the shoulders, keep the spine straight and do not let the buttocks stick out.  Concentrate power in the lower legs, from the knees down through the tips of the feet.

Generally speaking, it is essential to make your ordinary bearing the bearing you use in martial arts and make the bearing you use in martial arts your ordinary bearing.  This should be given careful consideration.”

~Miyamoto Musashi in Go Rin no Sho

Aside

I have envisioned using this blog to share my thoughts, principles and the work of others that I believe may be beneficial to my clients, friends and the wider community.  I wish to educate, foster discussion and rethinking of certain ideals and norms that are currently prevalent in society so that greater health and wellbeing is accessible for more people.

 

I hope that this will become a valuable reference library for those who take the time to use it.

I encourage you all to share this with your friends and family so that they may benefit too.

 

And lastly, I encourage you all to try some of these ideas and principles before you dismiss them just because they are different and unconventional.

 

Good health to you all!