With the arrival of the New Year and the decade coming to a close, it’s no surprise that we’re looking at other goals apart from the usual losing weight and regular saving. We want to finally get in shape, exercise and connect our bodies and minds, leave behind our sedentary lifestyles and become a shining example to follow, worthy of adding the #Wellness hashtag to our social media posts.
There’s been no shortage of “trendy” options over the past few years to help you follow through with your resolutions while having fun and not having to resort to gym routines. We all know that sometimes getting out of bed and putting on your trainers is no easy feat.
Recently, we’re seeing a new trend that’s promising to change all that. A new workout programme that’s set to mark the end of the 2010s. This revolutionary training programme is based on mimicking animal movements, forcing you to return to your primitive side and reconnect with human nature by using every muscle in your body to awaken your mind and physical abilities.
Introducing Animal Flow
How is all this achieved, and how does it help your body? The Animal Flow workout consists of a sequence of slow movements to improve your agility, dexterity and stability, while also strengthening all the muscles in your body. The range of movements and combinations was created by Mike Flitch, founder of Global Bodyweight Training, who mixed yoga, capoeira and breakdance with the typical movements of crabs, birds, apes, frogs and other animals.
Animal Flow includes a range of movements grouped into 6 categories, called components, to bring about specific results. The components (wrist mobilisations, activations, form specific stretches, locomotion movements, switches & transitions and flows) can be mixed in many ways in your workouts; it all depends on the intensity or challenge you’re seeking.
Wrist movements include a series of exercises, and are always the first and most important component when using your wrists for any sport or work activity. The activations are performed in static positions and encourage your body to communicate.
The form specific stretches begin in a base animal position, and then move through the whole body to increase mobility and stability; the locomotion movements represent the way we mimic animal movements (Ape, Beast and Crab) and finally, we have the switches & transitions and flows. The S&Ts are dynamic movements that can be linked together in many combinations, while the flows are where all the components come together fluidly.
Animal Flow advocates claim to have obtained significant benefits in their daily life, increased neuromuscular communication, stability and training intensity. The components can be as moderate or extreme as you like and can be performed individually, with a personal instructor or in some group classes. Now you have one more option to start 2020 off on the right foot with a positive outlook on the future.
