THE FLUX
PHILOSOPHY
From a physiological and biological perspective, there are certain basic principles that govern the human body and movement. The more we shy away from these principles in our movement patterns, the more likely we are to experience pain or inefficiency in our body. In this way then, we could argue that there is a ‘natural’ way of being in our bodies and moving in our bodies that lends itself to ease, efficiency and even pleasure. When the body in its entirety is working as a harmonious whole, we are much more likely to experience physical freedom and qualities of aliveness and physical spontaneity. Importantly, Flux Movement focuses on several principles that govern the human body and humans as a species:
1
Many different models are used to explain optimal human movement. The human body is made up of kinetic, muscular and spiralling chains that when adhered to, create ease and efficiency of movement. You can think of these chains and spirals as having a ripple effect through the body. Alter or make changes to any one part of the structure and a cascading effect will ripple through the entire structure. Most human movement involves what is commonly referred to as Cross Body Rotational Patterns. These rotational patterns are at the heart of athleticism and proper human function -think of running, throwing, punching, etc. Everything in the body is interconnected and the reality is that although we use anatomy for reference to specific parts of the body, nothing in the body exists in isolation. Flux Movement views the body as a complex whole with emphasis on these cross-body rotational patterns.
3
Flux Movement focuses on the development of connective tissue elasticity and subsequently joint resiliency. This approach takes us beyond just the aesthetics of having big muscles and instead focuses on creating long lasting, structurally healthy joints and connective tissue.
These muscular, spiralling and kinetic chains cannot be optimized without rhythm and coordination. Without the proper timing and acceleration, there is an inefficiency in the production of power and the transmission of force. If you want to excel in your body, your body must intuitively understand how to organize itself according to these collaborative muscular chains and spirals. Strength on its own has little value.
2
Flux Movement stresses the continuous development of neuroplasticity as a key factor of longevity. We must constantly expose ourselves to new situations, new landscapes and new stimuli in our physical practice in order to optimize our neurohealth.
4
Habitual Versus Intentional Movement
The Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk wrote, “we must pay attention to the gestures that make us who we are.” Through an intentional physical practice, we can bring to our attention the largely unconscious and habitual gestures and forms that our living and breathing body takes. I refer to these unconscious gestures as “moments of non-moments.” Once we register our default habits, we can begin to address how to change our patterns. Flux Movement is about recognizing the uncanny that resides in each of our bodies - that which is familiar and yet strange at the same time. Through conscious, intentional, and playful practice, we can undo certain habits that cause pain and discomfort in our body.
Whether we like it or not, much of who we are is how we move. And whether we are aware of it or not, we convey meaning and communicate with our body just as much as we do with our words. Our bones are like a repository of our diverse physical histories and they hold many experiences. What stories do your bones tell?
The goal of Flux Movement is not to make everyone the same or to idealize one specific type of body. We wear our unique histories on our bodies and this must be recognized. The point of a movement practice is to nurture our unique ways of being; to respect our different experiences, our different histories, but also to recognize, on a very simple but profound level, that humans are animals. As much as humans have attempted to separate ourselves from Nature, and for all of our technological advances, we still must live in a biological body. In many ways, we have forgotten about the body and yet we cannot escape the body.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
A RADICAL RUPTURE IS NECESSARY!
Flux Movement moves beyond a narrow focus on aesthetics. We need meaningful change in our lives and the dominant diet and fitness industry is ill equipped to provide the radical rupture necessary to make humans move and feel like humans again. There are glaring contradictions in the fitness and exercise world that need to be scrutinized. From an evolutionary and ancestral perspective, our baseline of what it means to move like a human is tragically skewed. It is not uncommon for accomplished athletes and “exercisers” to fail at performing basic human movements. The dominant models of exercise and fitness have resulted in bodies that are good at exercising and looking ‘fit,’ but not very good at moving and performing basic human tasks.
The reality is such that much of modern life has become predictable and routine - from our daily schedules to our gym workouts.This does not do justice to the brain’s plasticity, nor does it aid in the development of resilient and supple joints. Doing the same thing over and over again, under the same circumstances, surrounded by the same 4 walls, runs counter to thousands of years of human evolution. The dominant exercise and fitness paradigm feeds the human ego’s desire for control and mastery. We feel good about ourselves when we can do the same thing over and over again, under the same circumstances, because we can see improvement. But in reality, the ground is always shifting. When we destabilize the ground, we destabilize our sense of self. Flux Movement emphasizes adaptability to changes in circumstances rather than futile attempts to control the world around us.
POWER AND THE BODY or,
WHO GETS TO DECIDE WHAT IS VALUED?
Flux Movement is about shedding all the expectations and tired old narratives that are relentlessly thrust upon us by the fitness, exercise and wellness industry. Each and everyone of us resides in a body that is “historically situated-” by culture, technology, and power relations. And often, what we take at face value or natural, is in fact, a product of history. Power plays a huge role in determining the value of a body and in North American culture it takes only a quick glance at the media to recognize that certain bodies are given recognition and applauded while others are devalued and ignored. Flux Movement consciously revolts against such a value system and encourages ALL bodies to take up their rightful space. When you become a student of Flux Movement, you are valued for who you are, not ‘what’ you are.
