What's up, Ape Movers! In this blog post, you are going to find a few ways that will help you move better, increase proprioception (body positioning and awareness), and find more intention in your movement practices whether that be yoga, parkour, calisthenics, FRC and Kinstretch, or whatever. These tips will help with all aspects of the movement. Let's hop into the list, shall we?
1. Hire a Coach or Personal Trainer
The first movement tip is to hire a coach or personal trainer. This is going to allow you to focus on the movement at hand. You won't have to think about how many sets and reps you have to do or even what movement to do. This coach or trainer will also be able to watch your technique to correct any compensations you may have and point you in the right direction. One of our favorite trainers, Jake Casey from Intent Fitness Systems, has an amazing four-tier course that encompasses breath, mindset, and movement.
2. Move in Front of a Mirror
This is similar to hiring a coach but more of a DIY version if you will. If you can find a movement where you can also watch yourself at the same time, it could improve your technique and alignment. Try it out! If you don't have a mirror or can't use a mirror, peep the next one!
3. Film Yourself
Filming your movement could also help greatly so you can see what the heck is going on in your body! There are a few apps out there that even allow you to draw and do all kinds of cool things. One app we have used is called Coach's Eye. You can slow-mo, reverse, and re-watch and show other people to get feedback. This was/is a huge asset that could greatly improve your movement which in turn gets you all the gains and improvements.
4. Diversify Your Movement
Trying different kinds of movements is going to train your brain for more complex tasks. If you stick to one movement style, that's all you will ever know. If you try different movement styles you'll notice how much different exercising feels. You'll become more open-minded and aware of everything you do. You might even experiment with combining different styles of movement to create a unique style that is optimized for YOU.