The Practice of Natural Movement: Reclaim Power, Health, and Freedom Kindle Edition

This book was not at all what I expected. What I expected was a book emphasizing natural movements a la Kelly Starrett's book: "Becoming a Supple Leopard." Instead, what I got was a book that was one-half "philosophy-lite" and one-quarter "random quotes all over the page" and one-quarter "some pictures of exercises to do if you actually make it this far into the book." This is a massive book. More like a coffee table book than one that is actually readable. In any case, the sheer size of it was shocking. The first part of the book is all about the author's philosophy on living and moving "naturally." But it wasn't clear to me how one would integrate his lifestyle of natural movement that involves rolling, log climbing, and a bunch of things I can't describe, into my life. I wasn't going to wade through all of that verbiage to find out.I gave this book two stars because it wasn't what I expected. AT ALL. But there are a lot of 5-star reviews. I'm not saying those people are lying; perhaps they just had different expectations than I did or have already become involved in the "MovNat" scene. For someone who sits at a desk most of the day, has the time to work out 5-6x per week and wanted to break out of the boring "gym scene", this book wasn't what I wanted.

This review is done after I’ve actually had time to read through the book :-) It really is a gem of a book, even more than what might have been anticipated. Here’s why:- there’s zero fluff in the writing in any of the parts, just insights and knowledge packed and delivered well- the “Manifesto” part is very clear and motivating, conveying why a natural movement practice is so critical for our health- the book is accessible for beginners but also great for advanced movers, so get it for yourself or gift it to make someone discover the world of natural movement- it’s complete: you get lots of details on the why of training, the how to do it efficiently, and the what through the detailed techniques pagesNatural Movement and Movnat is especially adapted for our modern and time-constrained lifestyles, since it teaches you to practice anytime throughout your day. So even if you’re a busy professional or parent and you don’t think you have time to work out, get this book and it will open up a world of possibilities for you :-)Some details on each of my points:ZERO FLUFFThe author mentioned several times that his material was too large for the maximum length of books published by this publisher and that he was trying to condense it even more. Well, it clearly shows as all the writing is straight, to the point but very dense with insights and knowledge. There is literally zero moment in the book when you don’t feel this, and I have to say it’s both unusual in any book and an excellent feeling when reading.MOTIVATINGThe Manifesto part explains clearly and convincingly why our bodies need the physical stimuli that Natural Movement provides to stay healthy. The writing is both engaging and very powerful in making this argument. This is why I think this book would be effective as a gift to someone that is still on the fence as to the need for a regular physical activity and which one to choose.ACCESSIBLE BUT ADVANCEDThe parts covering “how” to train are both accessible to a beginner but also contain a lot of insights that will improve the practice of even advanced movers and practitioners. Beginners will be able to start practicing safely right away after going through the book once. They will also most probably come back many times to different parts of it as they progress and want to refine their practice over time. There are multiple layers of understanding in many parts that will benefit a very wide range of practitioners.COMPLETELast, the book gives you a complete system to start training. You literally have everything you need to start training autonomously and then keep yourself progressing for a very long time without needing any other input. And since you don’t need a gym membership nor mostly any equipment, an investment in this book will go a very long way :-)

This is a textbook for becoming a more integrated human being in a world that has lost touch with the body as a sacred vessel for mind and spirit.I have been practicing MovNat for several years and often tried to figure out how to explain it others without just saying "it worked for me." Movement in nature — *natural* movement— can seem like a superfluous hobby for those privileged enough to have the time. This book shows why that's completely the wrong way to think about it. Movement is not a luxury. If anything, spending time and money at a gym is a far greater "luxury," and natural movement the necessity. If you are not convinced by the evolutionary logic, you will still find a set of incredibly valuable techniques for navigating the world.When we "exercise" it's so easy to lose sight of the whole point, which is fitness to our environment. While we might not live in the same environment as our ancient ancestors, the modern world requires many of the same movements combinations (stepping over and under, jumping up and down, occasionally sprinting, etc.). Beyond this, the book re-teaches some of the most foundational human movements that we have unlearned since childhood like walking with upright posture and breathing in a controlled rhythm.Erwan and the MovNat organization are visionaries with a message that cannot be shared widely or loudly enough.

I have been involved in martial arts for most of my life. In addition, I’ve loved and played with my martial arts outdoors. The passion for movement has always been strong and as my understanding of it has grown so has my frustration. My students learn to move well assuming they remain on a flat, well lit surface. Take them outside and they’re all white belts again. MovNat in general has helped me clarify my thinking on the matter. We have adapted our environments to our movement so it will work instead of the natural and more skillful reverse. Some day my students will have the benefit of a MovNat affiliation, for now I will grow my own skills through this book and the ludicrous wealth of ‘free’(for us not them) information provided online. My children and I will have fun, work hard and be brave.Thanks for taking the time to produce a great book. When I saw the price tag I gulped, then became sure that it was that price for a reason. I’ve been impressed.Thank you.

Just received this book at long last.... over a year and 2 cancellations but I now have it and it’s a big hard backed book of impeccable quality. Good layout, photos etc. Seems to be well segmented. Just started reading it and enjoying it so far. Lack of references but seems to be enough hints on other like minded people who have authored their own works.

Lot of information to digest and implement into training. Great break down of movements with pictures to go with them. Makes you think about movement through a different lens.

German below/ Deutsch untenI really enjoy this great book so much.- It's made for everyone, man and woman, young and old, for beginners and the advanced, because all exercises are adaptable to your personal state of being. I especially love the caring and slow approach to take care to not "brutalize" your body - what you didn't move in 30 years you can't reclaim in one week.- there is zero fluff, theory and practice explained precisely and the images add visual explanations to the single steps of the diverse range of movements- A book inviting you start with small useful movements in our daily, mostly sedentary life: to get up, to get down, to jump, to catch something, to lift, to move muscles the completely forgot they exist- A great book to motivate you to reclaim your strength- A book which convinced me in all its chaptersI love to work with it and recommend it highly!Ich bin seit dem Tag, an dem ich das Buch gekauft habe, eine begeisterte Leserin und Übende.Dieses Buch ist ein Buch für jede und jeden, für Mann und Frau, für jung und alt, für den Anfänger und den Fortgeschrittenen, denn die Übungen sind jeweils angepasst. Mir hat besonders der Ansatz gefallen, den Körper nicht brutal zu überfordern - was man 30 Jahre lang nicht geübt hat, kann der Körper nicht in einer Woche meistern.Das Buch hat nichts Überflüssiges, Theorie und Praxis sind klar erklärt und die Bilder ergänzen die erklärenden Texte zu der großen Bandbreite an Bewegungen visuell und kleinschrittig.Das Buch lädt den Übenden ein, mit kleinen und für das tägliche Leben nützlichen Bewegungen den oft 'sitzenden' Alltag aufzubrechen: aufstehen, niedersetzen (ohne die Hände einzusetzen), etwas auffangen, werfen, springen und heben. Die Muskeln werden zu Bewegungen angeregt, die wir lange vergessen haben.Ein Buch, das einem hilft, Kraft aufzubauen. Es hat mich in allen Kapiteln überzeugt!Ich liebe es, damit zu arbeiten und empfehle es wärmstens!

Das Buch ist sehr hochwertig und wirklich detailliert und gut geschrieben, auch die Bilder bei der Übungsuaführung sind sehr gut und leicht verständlich. Cirka 25% des Buches enthalten allgemeine Erläuterungen des Autors warum Natural Movement so toll ist und welche Defizite in unserem heutigen Umfeld damit ausgeglichen werden. Viel davon findet man auch in anderen Calisthenics Büchern, nur halt nicht so pseudohilosophisch angehaucht. Ich habe den Kauf nicht wirklich bereut muss aber sagen, das wenn man im Bereich Calisthenics bereits einigermaßen fortgeschritten ist, das Buch dann u.U. nicht genug anbietet. Das werden seitenlang Rolle vorwärts/ rückwarts oder das Balancieren auf einem Balken als hohe Kunst beschrieben, alles Dinge die meine Kinder ohne große Anleitung im Garten alleine hinbekommen, wenn ich es ihnen einmal vormache. Das ist dann auch in Anbetracht des hohen Preise für Leute, die bereits seit Kindesbeinen an viel aktiv Sport machen, im Paket nicht genug für den Kauf. Insofern zwar Kaufempfehlung allerdings nur dann wenn man aktuell motorisch nicht ganz auf der Höhe ist, sonst wirds schnell langweilig ....

Erwan Le Corre hat verstanden, was in der heutigen Fitnesswelt falsch läuft - und er hat mit MovNat eine Methode entwickelt, die in vielerlei Hinsicht besser funktioniert. Das vorliegende Buch liefert nun eine umfassende Einführung in dieses innovative, aber zugleich uralte Trainingskonzept, welches das Potential hat, unsere Vorstellungen von "Fitness" und richtigem Training vom Kopf auf die Füße zu stellen.Die ersten Teile des Buchs gehen theoretisch auf verschiedene Aspekte des Trainings ein. Gerade das "Manifest" direkt am Anfang dürfte für viele der typischen Fitnesstudiobesucher ein wahrer Augenöffner sein. Auch für spezialisierte Sportler hält dieser Teil einige wertvolle Einsichten bereit.Der letzte Teil, der über die Hälfte des Buchs ausmacht, ist eine Art Lexikon der natürlichen menschlichen Bewegen, von vermeintlich einfachen wie Krabbeln oder Gehen bis hin zu komplexeren Bewegungsabläufen wie Klettern, Werfen oder Springen. Die Hinweise auf typische Fehler sind beim Ausprobieren sehr hilfreich.Mein Fazit: Ein großartiges Buch für alle, die nicht nur fit aussehen, sondern auch fit sein wollen.