Movement is not Mobility

[Scott Sonnon]

Movement is not Mobility

[exp626]

Hey Coach,

Can you expand a bit on why the directions are a bit different than what is included in the full Intu-Flow® program?

Some movements, such as elbow rotations, lend themselves quite well to the "tension to extension" aspect and just sort of naturally fall into place. On other movements, such as spinal rotations, there doesn't seem to be a natural fit for the mantra. It has admittedly been a little while since I have watched the intermediate IF vid, but, for example, I don't recall instructions on tensing glutes in the spinal rotations.

Should I be incorporating all of these little tidbits into the standard IF practice?

[Nick1974]

Coach (or anyone),

Further to Chris's questions, is this something of a paradigm shift in your approach to mobility work?

I recall back in the WW days the mantra was "what can I relax to ease through the movement" and in the Intu Flow era we were advised to move through the joint's range of motion without causing any additional fatigue or tension, and to limit the number of reps so as not to cause fatigue.

I have always approached my mobility work with the objective of releasing tension where I can, and never adding more tension. The tacfit mobility session feels like more of a "workout", and in fact we are encouraged to "pre-fatigue" the muscles to burn off tonus.

[Scott Sonnon]

Not a paradigm shift. A logical conclusion of applying biotensegrity. Fourteen years of teaching training and ongoing research.

[Nick1974]

In any event, it rocks. I'm digging all the materials coming from RMAX these days, from all the coaches. Cutting edge stuff, light years ahead of the rest of the industry.

[exp626]

Should we be trying to integrate these next-gen aspects into our existing IF practice?

I suppose I sort of have my answer since the only areas where I have gotten decent progress with my IF practice have been those where I am pushing the tension quite a bit ... was just always worried I was doing more harm than good and adding more tension on top of my already tense/dense system though.

[Glenn Sunshine]

I found myself wondering how "tight is light" (with respect to pushups) integrated with selective tension. Is that another example of further development of CST, or did I miss something along the way?

[Scott Sonnon]

I found myself wondering how "tight is light" (with respect to pushups) integrated with selective tension. Is that another example of further development of CST, or did I miss something along the way?

it's the definition of selective tension Glenn. Unnecessary tension is avoided. With Short-range, gross motor skills, more tension is required. The more sophisticated the skill becomes, the more precision the firing. It's the essence of all martial arts education.

[Glenn Sunshine]

Thanks, Scott. I misunderstood some applications of the concept of selective tension--I assumed that it meant the least tension necessary to get the job done, which suggested to me that you stay as relaxed as possible while maintaining good alignment whatever the exercise. I suppose that's the tai chi training coming out. Thanks for the clarification.

[Scott Sonnon]

Thanks, Scott. I misunderstood some applications of the concept of selective tension--I assumed that it meant the least tension necessary to get the job done, which suggested to me that you stay as relaxed as possible while maintaining good alignment whatever the exercise. I suppose that's the tai chi training coming out. Thanks for the clarification.

The least tension is a misunderstanding. It is the least competitive tension. Selective doesn't refer to least. It means not using tension that is unnecessary to accomplish the task effectively and without harm. "High tension" or "General tension" is the opposite of Selective tension as they include tension that competes for performance.

Tai Chi - as generally taught - is not gross motor. However the ICMA that I've been exposed to included developmental drills which were gross motor, and as a result did include the above recommendations. Most Tai Chi that I've seen in the States is "direct to sophistication" sink or swim without incremental sophistication.