One thing I've been playing around with these last couple weeks is floor exercises. For example, I read a study the other day (and I've written before) about rolling. It shows how rolling movement can help improve coordination and core strength.
Floor exercises are one example where there is a big difference between children and adults. Children have no trouble transitioning from upright movement to floor movement. In contrast, if you picture an elderly person, you can imagine them having trouble getting down to the floor and being comfortable there.
I think floor exercises have a big potential for improving overall movement and body awareness.
Very timely Matt!
I just posed the question on my blog “how do you bend over?”
It’s imperative that we keep our child movements the same as we get older.
Feldenkrais is a good tool for this .
Marc
As a kid I used to take Okinwawan Jujitsu. It was very much about floor movement. I have too many hobbies to start taking up Jujitsu again. I am somewhat fascinated by Brazilian Jujitsu and wouldn’t mind rolling again. However, mountain climbing and climbing in the gym have provided me plenty of opportunity for improving and maintaining my overall movement and body awareness not to mention coordination and core strength. Also, there are turkish get-ups which is a great exercise. If I could only do one exercise it would be the TGU.
I do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and it is amazing how badly people move when they start. It takes months (if not years) to work out what you are doing.
I agree. You can get a fantastic workout using just a floor. Throw in a wall and you can add even more versatility. Many gymnastic moves are hones on the ground.