Finding the 'flow' in 'FlowFit®'

[TNichols]

After a one-off lesson with a CST trainer (Steve Barnes, and he's GREAT!), I've been working on my own with FlowFit® for a little while. (I got the routine in late Jan, but had to take about a month off because of illness/weakness). But I've been back on it for 2 weeks.

The 'fit' part is happening, but I'm definitely not flowing. I'll go for a little while and then suddenly freeze, not knowing what to do next. It's like the routine just leaves my head. After some experimentation, the best solution i have so far is the "Who cares, just do SOMETHING" approach. At least it keeps me moving. But the problem is not going away. Any suggestions on better ways of handling it?

More info, if it helps:
I've done martial arts for years, and memorized kata much longer than the FlowFit® routine. Not being able to keep track of where I am in the routine is a bit uncharacteristic; I'm not sure what's going on.

Thanks in advance!

[Scott Sonnon]

Tim,

Break it into smaller components and only allow flow within those components. Then deconstruct the components again focusing on the connecting between the prior chunks. Finally, practice as one long flow.

It's not uncharacteristic to experience challenge even with extensive kata experience, since no kata to my knowledge has ever distilled and included all 6 degrees of freedom. That you're encountering these psychomotor hurdles is a GREAT thing, because you've found inhibitors which can and will be overcome with practice of FlowFit®. You've found "your yoga"!

[Connie Brown]

That's interesting. I also found Flow-Fit surprisingly tricky to memorize.

That 6 degrees must be the difference because I memorize things all the time and usually have no problem following movements.

[Scott Sonnon]

It's a proprioceptive rubiks cube, because since it goes through all of our potentiality, it finds the puzzle in us... and that confuses us initially due to the "local" mind-body disconnect.

[bretc]

What seems to have helped me is to take each exercise and practice them individually at the level I'm at in each one( trinity squat maybe a level 4 leg swoop maybe a 2 Ect.) Then I practice my flows, I also hve a notebook laying around with the exercises listed in order, in case I need to take a quick look. I don't know if it's right or wrong but it works for me.

[peterng25]

I'm like Bret: I have notes, they help.
Also, I use the RPE, etc... this way: if I hesitate, I go back to the previous level, and the simpler motion (eg motion 3, 'mountain climbing' without seated twist) is easier to remember. So I try to have the simpler and clearer version in the back of my mind. That way, eventually I assimilate the more intricate levels
I guess, for me at least, the more sophisticated levels can push me into a blank state...

[KD Jones]

... a proprioceptive rubiks cube...

Copyright that. It's beautipotamus.

[TNichols]

Thanks, all.

Glad to know I'm not the only one struggling with this. "Proprioceptive rubik's cube" is right.

I'd be more effusive with my thanks, but I gotta get to bed, or I won't be rested for tomorrow's workout. I'll let you know how it goes.

[rutherford]

I hung a sign in my practice area. I'd really rather not try to actively memorize, or actively Think other than to watch my form and make small corrections as necessary.

It's a great time to just let the mind be quiet.

[TNichols]

Thanks, rutherford. I'd made a little insert to put in my notebook, but a sign is better -- if I make it big enough I don't have to stop moving to look at it.