We all recognize good movers when we see them: extreme athletes who flip and spiral with ease, yogis who contort limbs with an expression of peace, joggers who float past us with a grin, dancers who communicate without a single spoken word…It’s easy to identify a body that moves with grace, power, lightness, and ease. You don’t have to be a movement specialist (or even an athlete!) to recognize a good mover when you see one.
If you strive to move well, it’s essential to train your movement skills. Despite sounding kind of abstract, movement training (much like other forms of training) is best approached with a bit of strategy! So here they are:
3 Essential Strategies to Improve Your Movement
1. Know your habits & tendencies.
Take some time to recognize how your body moves when you aren’t thinking about it. Are you a slow, strong, calculated mover? Or do you rely on bursts of speed and power to move around? Do you rely heavily on your upper body to perform work, or does all the heavy lifting happen in your legs?
The more you can learn about your current movement strategies, the better. Acute awareness of your habits & tendencies will help you build a movement training program that is personalized, efficient, and productive.
2. Bring your brain to your practice.
Your brain is responsible for telling your body to move. If your mind wanders during movement practice, your body will simply default to its old habits. Aim to move with intent, and then reflect on how things went. Your brain loves novelty – if your body moves in new and interesting ways, your brain is going to notice! What’s more, your brain will be more likely to select that movement strategy in the future (even without conscious effort!).
3. Apply what you learn!
Once your body has learned a new movement, apply it! Start by applying the new movement to simple circumstances which gradually progress in complexity. A climber learning a kip swing, for example, should seek out climbs with dynos and campus moves. Perhaps you will notice the echo of the kip swing as you campus from one hold to the next…
_________
When movement is trained with strategy and intent, it serves as a simple way to level up your ability and refresh your personal style. So pay attention to how you move, reflect on it, and apply what you discover – it will absolutely pay off!
Ps. Want to learn how to incorporate better movement in your own sport? Book a free consultation with me and let's chat!
