Let me start off by saying, I don’t believe for one minute that there is a wrong or right exercise. Every time we say something or someone is wrong that means the opposite must be right! The one thing I have learnt in this life so far is that there is no absolute; no one knows all of the answers.

Everyday there seems to be more sexy exercises or gadgets coming into the marketplace. Do they work? Are they effective? Is there any “practical” science behind them? Are they just another fad that will appear today and be gone tomorrow while  making someone a lot of money and our clients, ourselves, and the industry more disenchanted and confused.

We are in the problem solving business, gathering information to create optimal clarity to solve client’s problems. To gain better clarity is important to ask better questions either verbally or physically, possibly a better question to ask primarily would be “what is the goal of the exercise and the rationale”?

The next five years will see some of the most exciting times ever in this industry. The great minds of the industry are now looking at the body through a different perspective, a different lens - see the models of Thomas Myers and Phill Beach. We are now starting to recognise the brilliance of the body AND brain through observation, intuition and intention, three of the most powerful tools known to man.  These tools are aquarely placed second behind the new religion, “science”.

I will go out on a limb here and undoubtedly upset some of the “science geeks” (me - I am more of a movement geek!) to say that no one has ever been healed through science.  Science is the “why” of the process. It is the brilliance of the body that heals no matter how smart we think we are.  Yes science is necessary for clarity, credibility, and evolution of our industry but this evolution occurs BECAUSE of observation, intuition and intention.

If we transplant a new heart or lung or replace a hip or knee, it is totally up to the body whether it will accept it and heal. Yet we have become infatuated with continually feeding the body information because science says so. This isn't neccesarily wrong but it's certainly not complete!

Functional Anatomy

Functional anatomy is a topic that is evolving rapidly. I would classify functional anatomy as a system that is very relevant with practical science behind it.  This system also comes with some very powerful tools which I will introduce later on - 3 dimensional movement and mobilizers.  These powerful tools allow us to achieve more consistent results with our clients.  Functional anatomy is being powered by such great minds as Thomas Myers, Ida Rolf, Andre Vleeming, Gil Hedley and Steven Levin. Functional anatomy shows us a longitudinal view of the body.  The body is a more integrated unit than traditional anatomy has lead us to believe. Functional anatomy suggests that the body really only has one muscle and that all structures other than cells are enveloped in an extracellular matrix called fascia.

The recognition of fascial lines allows us to view how the body communicates from toes to nose. Fascia mitigates force throughout the body effectively spreading the load.  This has been a huge breakthrough for movement professionals allowing us to better map the systems and to understand how to load various complexes of the system.

Longitudinal View of the Body: Toes to nose

3-Dimensional Movement

The importance of understanding 3-dimensional movement now becomes more critical if we appreciate that the body reacts to gravity, ground force, momentum, as well as itself. Firstly we need to define what 3 dimensional movement is, as well as how to implement it to condition the systems of the body for more efficiency and effectiveness in every day challenges.

By feeding the body intelligent 3-dimensional challenges, the body will respond in a more subconscious manner, creating better carryover into the everyday challenge of life. A lot of traditional programming looks great on paper but when we look at what our clients need, there is limited or no congruency with their goals or their movement requirements.

Not only is it important to understand it but also to describe it. Our industry has many ways to describe a lunge but if I was to ask 10 different trainers to instruct a lunge there would be 10 different types of lunges. Creating a clearer language in the industry is a must.

Mobilizers

Mobilizers are another extremely powerful tool; enabling the body to move and feel better instantly. Using principles such as subtle, rhythmic motion to encourage major complexes of the body to regain better communication and up-regulation (turning on the stabilizing system). These regions or complexes become glued up through poor or repetitive movement, occupational habits, traumas or just plain dumb movement.

Mobilizers are designed to directly affect the fascial system, they are not an active stretch. Active stretching focuses on stimulating the neuromuscular system.  Active stretching movements have a reasonably large range of motion that prepares the body for dynamic movement. Mobilizers are very small, integrated movements that focus on creating extensibility of the fascial tissues that have become restricted. They allow the body to move within its own threshold, not challenging it or stressing it to complete a task it can’t do.  Mobilizers are purely part of the movement continuum; they are the very basis of fundamental movement enabling easy observation, progression and regression of your client as required.

If you can’t move your client, you certainly can’t load them with any confidence. If you would like to “feel” more to help understand mobilizers see this video of the anterior hip mobilizer for one of the most powerful tools for you and your clients!

If you are interested in knowing more about this information, keep an eye out for workshops that are being conducted in Wellington May 27, Christchurch May 28 and Auckland May 29, 2011. These will not only show you the systems and science but also the practical application and give you a chance to question the direction our great industry is heading.