Hey tribe! In our pursuit of holistic fitness and well-being, we believe that embracing the way our ancestors moved can inform the best exercise programs. In this blog post, we'll delve deeper into the content covered in the video below and explore how understanding our evolutionary history can revolutionize your approach to fitness. Join us on this journey to discover the power of an evolutionary perspective of health
The Problem
In today's modern world, our lives are dominated by sitting, desk work, and screens. We've become increasingly sedentary, and our minds are bombarded with information. While traditional strength exercises have their benefits, they may not fully address the capabilities our bodies and minds have evolved for.
Crawling & Hanging | Pre-Human Evolution
Our pre-human ancestors crawled on all fours, a movement pattern we learn as infants. Crawling and rolling offer numerous benefits, including enhanced core and upper body strength and increased sensory input, known as proprioception. Incorporating crawling into your routine can be a game-changer for overall fitness and well-being.
Pre-human primates evolved to live in trees, leading to longer arms, mobile shoulders, and hand modifications for grasping. Hanging, climbing, and pulling are natural ways to mobilize the shoulders and spine while strengthening the upper body. By incorporating hanging into your routine, you can boost grip strength and improve shoulder mobility.
Walking, Lunging & Throwing | Human (Hunter-Gatherer) Evolution
As humans, we've been walking upright on two legs for tens of thousands of years. This upright posture enhances balance and stability, key factors in preventing falls and maintaining health as we age. Engaging in standing and lunging patterns can ensure a strong lower body and improved cardiovascular endurance.
Object manipulation, such as throwing stones and spears, played a crucial role in our evolution. Throwing and catching activities can improve shoulder mobility, manual dexterity, and hand-eye coordination, contributing to overall fitness.
Fire and Meditation
Our ancestors' use of fire also shaped our movement patterns. Resting cross-legged or in a squat and even squatting for various activities like cooking or relieving oneself helped keep hips mobile. Additionally, ancient cave paintings suggest that staring into fire might have been an early form of meditation, putting individuals into a focused, trance-like state.
The Need for Varied Movements in the Modern World
In today's world, our bodies and minds still crave mindfulness and natural movement, just as our ancestors did. A well-rounded training program that incorporates a broad spectrum of human movement patterns is essential for physical and mental well-being. That's where the MoveBreatheEvolve 2024 challenge comes in.
Join the EV/CO tribe in January for this exciting challenge that features a 15-minute morning routine and a chance to win a lifetime membership to EV/CO. The routine includes squatting, crawling, hanging, lunging, throwing, and meditation. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced mover, this challenge has something for everyone.
By embracing the way we evolved to move, we can unlock our full human potential. A well-rounded training program goes beyond aesthetics, focusing on mobility, adaptability, proprioception, and skill. While traditional strength training has its place, incorporating natural movements can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling fitness journey.
Thanks for reading. Wishing you well,
Jared F.
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