PowerHouse BodyFlow

[Robert V]

I know one might think this belongs in another forum...but hear me out!

"PowerHouse Yoga BodyFlow" is what I call my program. Before I was introduced to BodyFlow, I called my program "PowerHouse Yoga Flow". My initial intentions were to develop a yoga/pilates that focused on the "core muscles". After being introduce to "BodyFlow", I changed the name and the intentions, for now it is about movement. Yet, the "core activation" is still the engine that drives the movement. The core's strength and mobility, driven by the breath and proper structure. "Be Breathe" is still an glossy diamond, whose luster is still overlooked by some.

One of the things I've done is to give a greater concentration on BMEs that strengthen the core muscles. And because most BME are complex, I have an assortment to choose from, as well as, my Pilates, traditional yoga and BMEs that I've created, all influenced my BodyFlow.

Still, why did I place this in the "Strength Forum"? Because I truly believe that you can get incredibly strength from doing the BME from BodyFlow. It depends on your "intention". Just watch Cirque du Soleil. That is the World Series of BME, the championship of movement and the apex of core strength.

At one time, I cut my weightlifting by about 85%. The only strength movements I did were from bodyflow. Yet, I wrestle and play Judo with young muscle heads that could bench and squat more than I could ever dream...and yet, I overpower them! I was no longer chiseled muscle, but my strength and power were as evident as ever.

I truly believe the core power I gained from BodyFlow was the dominating factor behind my Judo success. My Judo is still terrible, but I can still "throw without being thrown".

I was so bothered my some of the comments I read after the CST seminar in PA. last year. It was when we did a marathon of BME in one day.
Some failed to understand how those BMEs were the foundation for circular strength training and clubbells. The BME are like a suit of armor protecting you from injury when using clubbells. They are like a road map guiding you to sources of tension. It's learning to "activate" your core correctly in BME that will enhance your clubbell training.

Thank You,

Robert

[llara]

This is a great post. I am currently emphasizing most of my training on body-flow. Haven't gotten the video yet but the book is outstanding.

I do have one question. What exactly does "activating the core" mean? I have always heard about core training or activating the core but never truly understood it. I am assuming that it means to get the internal abdominal muscles and the back muscles working as one.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks in advance.

Luis

[Scott Sonnon]

Robert,

Tremendous post! Please give an example and transform this into an article for CST MAG!

Luis,

Core Activation refers to the intergration of (Performance) breathing, structural alignment (to protect the spine) and movement (efficient muscular action). You'll find this to be a key topic in the book.

[Doug Szolek]

Robert, I think you've touched on an important distinction within the speceficity of Strength.

Here's my take on it:

All strength is a skill. Those meat heads you speak of may not be necessarily stronger than you, rather, they are more effective at performing the skill of the Bench Press and/or Squat. You having taken Body Flow as the corner stone of your strength training (Bravo by the way 8) ) are becoming more efficient at the skills of controling your body against gravity.

Anyone care to guess which one of these is a more likely skill to carry over to grappling?

Honestly if I were a competative fighter (of any sort) I would center my training around body flow with supplemental Clubbell work. There are volumes of info to back this up but the best example that i've seen is Coach Sonnon. Even before he started tipping the scales at 200+ lbs. he knew more about the use of himself than those he'd practice with (me being one of the fortunate) and he never failed to toss me when he wanted to and when my learning mandated it.

As it stands, I enjoy grappling gravity more than people (just a little), so I center my training around aligning Breathing, Structure, and Movement to the end of manipulating crazy heavy Clubbells in new and scary ways. It's my bag baby. If I happend to grow out of most of my wardrobe in the process, so be it. :P

Anyways, fun times Robert. And I second the suggestion that your exploration into applicable strength would make one helluvan article.

In faith,

[llara]

Thank You Coach! I am currently on the second reading of Body-Flow book. There is so much information to absorb from it. I am sure I will understand the concept of core activation with this 2nd read.

Again Thanks,

Luis