Philosophy

My training philosophy is that humans are meant to move in functional, whole body patterns that incorporate: waist rotation; flexing & extending the joints; rising, falling, coiling, wrapping, and turning motions; swaying actions of the arms and legs; and bending and leaning of the trunk; which regulate bodily functions through the rhythmic pulsing and twisting actions they create. I believe these movements can be adapted and modified to fit any shape, size, or ability. I also believe that humans can calm and quiet their mind and carry this comfort into sitting, standing or moving.

Do you do any of the following movement activities:

Walk
Jog
Run
Sprint
Jump
Lift
Push
Pull

Bend
Twist
Turn
Stand
Start movement
Stop movement
Climb
Lunge

In order to perform movement activities in three planes of movement efficiently and without injury you need to train both the muscles involved in the movement and the specific movement.

Many of the exercises I incorporate into my training sessions exercise the whole body and do not isolate joints and muscles. Isolation results in less functional improvement. Instead, I focus on whole body movements which incorporate:

Modified and Adapted Movement Patterns
Exercise Progressions from beginner to advanced
Mind-Body Training
Increased Coordination, Stabilization, & Rotational power
Full Body Strength
Dynamic Balance
Core stabilization
Kinesthetic awareness
Movement Skills

Anaerobic Energetics
Plyometrics
Medicine Balls
Wobble Boards
Rubber Bands
BOSU Balance Trainer
Partner Exercises
Agility
Powerful Force Production
Isometric Stabilization
Safe Eccentric Loading

In the gym most cardio and strength training is done in a single cardinal plane. Treadmills and bikes, weight machines and traditional free-weight exercises, involve motion in a single cardinal plane. You lift equally weighted dumbbells or perform an exercise on a machine engineered for precise balance.

In life most movements are unbalanced and unequally weighted and occur in multi-cardinal planes. Take for example a sparring session, lifting objects from the car trunk, playing with your children, sport maneuvers, etc. Specific example are: the "squat" using unequally weighted dumbbells has greater functional cross over into daily life then using the leg press machine. Pulley machine exercises increase your "functional core strength" much better then a traditional sit-up.

As long as you have space to move, indoors or outdoors, you can improve your fitness. My preference is to train in a park or schoolyard that has a playground and field. The air is fresh and the exercise potential is unlimited. However, I love the gym so lets not limit our options!

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