Intu-Flow® help, please!

[Pablo]

I have been in the Intu-Flow® beginner level for 9 out of the last 10 days since I got it. WOW! Great results so far. I am being patient and letting my intuition carry me until I believe I'm ready for the next level.

I need some advice, please...

1) The third neck ROM/mobility exercise in the Beginner Level is the "glide." (Side to side, lead with mandible). I have been trying for 9 days to get that one exercise to work, and I am coming up on a lot of resistance from my body. I am not sure what I did to my CNS over the first 40 years of my life, but any suggestions on how to overcome that and (re)gain the skill to do it would be appreciated. It's kicking my butt right now!

2) I would like to "plan" out my next year of progression. I am thinking:
a) Intu-Flow® (Xtension series with Minis after Master level), b) Body Flow (I have book and DVD), c) Flow-Fit, d) Forward Pressure then _____ (please help me fill in the blank - Prasara? Clubbell® 15 # "Starter Kit?" or whatever seems right?) I am a huge fan of bodyweight exercises, but I do see clubbells in my future (15s, maybe, then graduate to a Jr or Bruiser or even the whole set because they're such a great deal as a package, and I have two growing martial artists/wrestlers as sons). My goals are to keep lean muscle mass, stay aerobically fit and gain/retain strength and STAY mobile as long as I have breath! I also want to resume jujitsu (BJJ, probably) in about two years.

Any suggested modifications to the above hierarchy are welcome as well. I am a dry sponge here!

Thanks!

Paul Perez

[shadow]

1) The third neck ROM/mobility exercise in the Beginner Level is the "glide." (Side to side, lead with mandible). I have been trying for 9 days to get that one exercise to work, and I am coming up on a lot of resistance from my body. I am not sure what I did to my CNS over the first 40 years of my life, but any suggestions on how to overcome that and (re)gain the skill to do it would be appreciated. It's kicking my butt right now!

i can help you with this first question.

it took me about 6 months of WW/Intu-Flow® to recover this range of motion (i only just got it)... so be patient. if it's RMT (residual muscle tension) i would think it shouldn't take too long to begin to shave off the tension... however if it is SMA (sensory motor amnesia) like it was for me, perhaps it will take a little longer.

here is an article that will give you some tips on how to get at it in different ways: http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/34/brown.html

for me i found the shoulder shrug worked best... but i tried them all.

[wadem]

The shoulder shrug was what worked for me as well. After a short while (1-2 weeks), I was able to start doing it with the shoulders down.

[Ryan Murdock]

Paul,

1) Time. Give it time. Don't try to force the movement to mimic the video (it will only cause you to put in more tension, you're trying to release tension). Move to the furthest range of what is quality movement for you. You'll get there. My girlfriend had no movement in this range at all, and loads of neck tension from high jumping injuries. She can do this well now. Connie's article, quoted above, is gold for this too. She's helped many people to nail this down.

2) Your progression sounds solid. Go where your interest takes you. You may find that this changes, too, as you go deeper. That's good. You state that your goal is to get back into MA in a couple years. I think you're solidly on the right track, clean your slate, build your movement palette, maybe add clubbells if you so desire (15's would be the best starting point). Then perhaps look into some of the RMAX martial resources.

Please keep us posted on your results, and let us know if there's anything we can do to facilitate your explorations.

[Pablo]

Thanks, Gents, for the pointers, links and encouragement. I am on my way.

Coach Murdock - appreciate the sound advice and affirmation. I will be sure to keep everyone updated on my progress. I know how important it is for me to read others' success stories and testimonials.

It took me 40 years to get here, I will be patient...

Paul Perez