Mover's Odyssey

https://www.moversodyssey.com Bodyweight bridge exercises are a group of calisthenic skills used to strengthen the protective muscles of the spine, stretch the commonly tight muscles on the front of the body, and learn to integrate the musculature of the body from head to toe into one single movement. The iconic back bridge is an excellent example of this but is often to advanced for most people. This video goes over other bridge variations which offer an opportunity to easily progress the body while enjoying the unique benefits of each. Variations discussed include shoulder bridge, glute bridge, jiu jitsu bridge, table top bridge, back bridge, back bridge reach, back bends, and back bend walks. #backbend #calisthenics #jiujitsu #bodyweighttraining #backpainrelief #spinalhealth

https://www.moversodyssey.com The back bridge offers amazing benefits including a healthier spine, improved breathing, better posture and increased muscle control. When this is mastered to opens up the gateway to more advanced movement patterns and the back bend is the perfect pattern to begin with. It provides all the benefits of the back bend while helping to create an omnidirectional mover and preparing the body for acrobatic movements. This is pattern is utilized in gymnastics, yoga, and martial arts and for good reason. #backbend #gymnastics #yoga

https://www.moversodyssey.com/post/strengthening-tendons-instead-of-muscles Plyometrics are the primary method of increasing speed and power by athletes of all levels. When utilized properly the result can be unreal increases in vertical jump, punching power, speed and quickness. However, it's best to fully understand how plyometrics work and how to prepare the body to perform them. This video goes over this information to help prepare the plyometric beginner and to help those with experience better understand the adaptations they are creating in their bodies. #plyometrics #plyometricstraining #verticaljump #verticaljumptraining #powertraining #speedtraining #explosiveness

https://www.moversodyssey.com Amazon Shadow Boxing Weights: https://amzn.to/3Y1rCHK Haltere Images: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haltere...) Ancient Greek warriors and athletes were renowned for their amazing feats of strength, skill and endurance. Once of the primary training tools of choice was the Haltere, but little is known about how it was used. This video explores the ancient Spartan strength training tool and it's possible uses. #sparta #ancientgreece #strengthtraining #Haltere #ancient

Quick set up rings- https://amzn.to/3wgqeRO 1.25" Wooden rings- http://amzn.to/2sBGQmR Wooden Rings with buckle strap: https://amzn.to/2IwR587 1.1" or 1.25" Wooden rings with marked straps (just discovered this existed! So much easier to line up the height) - http://amzn.to/2rDR3lF Child Size rings- http://amzn.to/2rQRFVP Website: www.moversodyssey.com https://www.instagram.com/shapeshifters_den/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shapeshiftersden Gymnastic rings have seen a huge surge in popularity with the rise of crossfit. And rightfully so, no other piece of upper body equipment can compare with the capabilities or low cost of the rings. They are easily one of the greatest strength building tools any mover could hope to stumble across. One of there major benefits is the powerful adaptation for stability they create. Even the most basic movements on the gymnastic rings require considerable stabilization and strength. Even strong athletes begin shaking uncontrollably the first time they use this piece of Olympic history due to lack of body control and stability. This type of training is also a wonderful way to develop a feeling sense of one's own body due to the high need for internal control of the body. Without developing this kind of internal awareness, rings can quickly degrade the tendons, ligaments and muscles of the body, most especially the shoulders. It is because of this that ring training should be undertaken mindfully and slowly in the beginning. It takes time for the ligaments and tendons of the body to strengthen properly for this kind tense movement. When first beginning rings training it is advisable to start slow by experimenting with the basic static hold and rows before moving on. The training can be added to an already existing workout schedule or it can be a calisthenic strength training system all to itself. In the beginning however, most athletes need only a day or two of training. Down the line as the body begins to adapt to the needs of the rings, training days can be added. There are two main kinds of exercises the rings are capable of, static holds and movements. Usually I will mix these together into the same set. For example I might do 10 pullups and finish with a static l-sit, or I may just do a static l sit the entire time I do pullups. If you find yourself wanting in person rings training, my best advice is to find an adult gymnastics class at a local gymnastics gym, or take a foundations class at your local crossfit studio. Crossfit is notorious for teaching a kipping version of certain rings maneuvers, however that should change now that strict muscle ups are being added to the crossfit games.

Animal Flow Website: https://www.animalflow.com/?ref=83 Movnat Website: https://www.movnat.com/ The Natural Method: http://amzn.to/2nQlgMh Website: www.moversodyssey.com Primal fitness is a trend that is popping up everywhere. It is a system of fitness that utilizes primal human and animal movements. The movements have a high degree of functionality and are often used in functional movement and functional fitness programs. Animal flow is one such program. Designed by body weight fitness expert Mike Fitch, the program is designed to create highly functional movers. It is a movement training program first and a fitness program second. In Animal Flow, animal type primal movements are learned in a progression that is suitable for beginners and yet has a depth of skill that will keep even advanced movers sweating.

Developing Yin Power- http://amzn.to/2lyFAyu Chi Kung: The way of Power- http://amzn.to/2lrKH67 Website: www.moversodyssey.com https://www.instagram.com/shapeshifters_den/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shapeshiftersden The Wu Chi stance is the beginning of a process of self mastery known as internal martial arts. This kind of internal awareness process is c Website: www.shapeshiftersden.comommon to martial arts and movement arts from around the world including chi kung (qi gong), kung fu, budo, boabom, yoga, tai chi, and many others. It eventually becomes a necessity on the path to any kind of movement mastery and by extension any kind of mastery of self action. The Dan tien (tan tien as well as other spellings) is the body's center of mass and so much more. A personal awareness of it within the body will spring board movement efficiency by giving the student of movement a simple way to integrate the movements of the entire body into powerful, focused action.

Website: www.moversodyssey.com Decent book about power in martial arts: https://amzn.to/2IzCV5R Punching power is a product of movement efficiency and timing. Timing requires sparring, matches, drills, or some other reactive experience with an interactive target. But movement efficiency can be altered in a very short time with the proper ques. While the subject is much more complex than one might originally think, the basics of power producing movement can be taught fairly quickly. The technique focused on is called kinetic linking, and its use is common to all martial arts as well as any sport where power production is desired. Its a method that can come naturally to some, but often they can't explain it or utilize it to full efficiency until they can conceptualize it consciously. Once you understand this effect you can manipulate it consciously and maximize punching power in a very short time. I was originally taught this movement skill in boxing. Three months into boxing and I had discovered Roy Jones Jr. His punches had a completely different quality, one of explosiveness, speed and power. After practicing the movement on the heavy bag it became apparent why it looked so different. The power came from making an art out of my movement, in this case a left hook. This sudden increase in punching power was amazing. To this day I still refine the art.

Animal Movements Book: https://amzn.to/2VaCCoh Website: www.moversodyssey.com Movement training is a training method recently made popular by MMA fighter Conor McGregor. However most people I talk to seem to be really confused about what it is and what it actually does for you. Most seem to think its some new form of experimental training that is fringe at best. The reality is that movement training is nothing new and if you have ever trained for MMA, Kung Fu, Capoeira, parkour, or calisthenics then you have probably used some form of movement training. The more recent evolution of the practice has been to isolate movement from the athletic goals that usually overshadow it. And funny enough the result is a form of training that seems to do more for athletes than any other form of traditional athletic training. At least thats been my experience thus far. This is especially true in MMA, as this sport requires so much variety of movement. An MMA fighter truly needs to be mastered with the use of his body on top of the other demands of being a fighter. In fact Conor McGregor is not the first or only high level UFC fighter to implement modern movement training. George Saint Pierre, Carlos Condit, Michael Venom Page, and Vitor Belfort just to name a few. This video goes over the basics of the modern movement training practice and should give the viewer a much better idea of what the practice is all about.

Online Shaolin Training: https://www.martialarts.training/a/2147486725/Vfp6FuR3 The Shaolin Workout Book (basic kung fu movements and exercises): http://amzn.to/2kPDs8c Complete Book of Shaolin (really comprehensive kung fu book, covers history, philosophy, basic exercises, martial application, etc...): http://amzn.to/2kSKR2t Website: moversodyssey.com The bow stance is a kung fu and wushu stance that create great strength, stability and mobility when added to a movement training regimen. The ultimate goal is to become comfortable enough within the stance to begin adding it to movement flows. The movement patterns that can be used in conjunction with this stance are incredibly numerous. Take a look at any number of martial arts that use forward stances and you will find many variations and movement patterns to experiment with. Forward stances are used in boxing, kickboxing, karate, aikido, hapkido, kung fu, tai chi, and even yoga.

The Shaolin Workout Book (basic kung fu movements and exercises): http://amzn.to/2kPDs8c Website: www.moversodyssey.com Shaolin Kung Fu Online Training: https://www.martialarts.training/a/2147486725/Vfp6FuR3 Complete Book of Shaolin (really comprehensive kung fu book, covers history, philosophy, basic exercises, martial application, etc...): http://amzn.to/2kSKR2t http://shapeshiftersden.site123.me/blog Being a movement trainer as well as martial arts coach, I'm a big fan of movement culture and the pursuit of body-mind mastery through movement practice. I train using movements from boxing, capoeira, kickboxing, kungfu, and other eastern martial arts as well as calisthenics, aerobics, acrobatics, and yoga. This movement journal is mostly me immersing myself in my passion and sharing it with anyone who is interested. This first journal entry is about the horse stance from shaolin kung fu. Its a great movement for: *deep hip stability and strength *opening the hips to provide mobility *strengthening tendons in the hips *creating power for fighters *creating stability in the central column (the spine) *and rehabbing the negative effects of sitting to long I use this movement mainly for maintaining power in the movements that require deep hip activation and for reversing the negative effects of sitting too long (a side effect of my love for art). Whether your an artist, a desk worker, a competitive martial artist or a just a human movement junky, I can't recommend this movement pattern enough. Give it a try and see what you think. Leave a comment below to describe your results.

Complete Calisthenics Book: http://amzn.to/2jTTQCR Website: www.moversodyssey.com Parallettes are an amazing full body integrated body weight workout but getting a good pair can be a little pricey. If your on a budget homemade PVC parallettes are the way to go. This video will show you everything you need to know in order to quickly and easily build your own pair.

Parallette link: http://amzn.to/2hxBbt6 Cheaper Option: http://amzn.to/2hxwOhX Complete Calisthenics Book: http://amzn.to/2jTTQCR Website: www.moversodyssey.com Parallettes can be an amazing workout if you know how to use them. A great tool for upper body strength and learning to integrate the core with the rest of the body, especially the shoulders and arms. This video will cover the basics of parallette training for the beginner. Topics covered will include... * Simple body mechanics * Parallete basic exercise program * Training considerations * buying or building tips I use parallettes as a moving meditation/strength training workout. I find they lend themselves to this type of focused strength training because of isometric (static) holds that are such a major part of the training. It takes a lot of focus and will power, and if you want more of these this training is for you.

Capoeira Conditioning (a book about capoeira movements for movement training): http://amzn.to/2kSImgs Website: www.moversodyssey.com The queda de rins is a capoeira and floreio movement pattern. Once mastered on its own it is added in to the freestyle flows of these movement disciplines. Great for core strength, body control, and getting a sense for gravity. Floreio is a portion of some capoeira disciplines in which movements happen in a ground position, often no higher than a deep squat. Recently made popular by ido portal and conor mcgregor's training regimen. In my experience the movement pattern feels something like a break dance move. It requires a lot of core stability and its even helped strengthen my inside punches during boxing.

Capoeira Conditioning (a book about capoeira movements for movement training): http://amzn.to/2kSImgs Website: www.moversodyssey.com Floreio is the ground component of capoeira. Its an incredibly complete movement practice in terms of building strength, mobility, body control and awareness. I first caught onto it from Ido Portal and I must give thanks because it has taken a cherished spot in my movement training. This particular movement is the Au Cortado, basically a slow, controlled cart wheel coming from the low floreio stance (basically a near full squat). Enjoy this quick journal entry straight out of movement culture.