The Practice of Natural Movement: Reclaim Power, Health, and Freedom

I’m a sceptical person. But open minded in a way that you need to try something before you can judge. Because of this I read many books on movement, visited many workshops and followed courses on movement. I liked a lot of it, but most left me with the feeling, is this it? How do I build this into my daily life? And most of the methods I encountered claimed.. this is it!! And then I found MovNat. An amazing method which helped me regain basic movement patterns which easily translate into your daily practises. And it made moving fun! I didn’t need to go the gym 3 times a week. I just had to move!! And the best part of this method; it doesn’t judge all the other methods. All movement is great. However, why learn to do a handstand, or do all kinds of fancy moves, while you still have trouble getting up and down the floor, or are able to keep your balance, or fall without breaking something. This book is from the founder of Movnat and it doesn’t mean it’s a MovNat book. However just having read the book in the last two weeks, it does really give you all the tools to start your own movement practice. I read the book from beginning to end, but that is absolutely not how you have to use it. I enjoyed it so much I just gave a copy to my parents who will most problably start with looking into the movements I recommended them. The book makes adding more healthy movement to your life accessible to everyone. From easier positions to more challenging moves, this book is for everyone. And if you’re new to natural movement I think you might be surprised how some seemingly simple movements could be quite challenging. What I like about this book: - it’s an easy read. You don’t need to be a movement professional or need an anatomy course to understand the subjects and exercises. - It explains all the movements while discussing there practical use in daily life. Why do you need these movements? - It doesn’t discredit other practices. I like that! Many books on movement discuss what’s wrong with other practices and where this book does point out why this is perhaps more usefull, it does respect many of the other great movements practices around. - It’s accesible to almost anyone. If you are a healthy person nothing should stop you from enjoying the benefits of the practices in this book. What i didn’t like about this book: - well, as I was convinced by the Movnat course a few years ago and decided to do the trainers course, this was absolutely the book I was waiting for. It’s a great read, but if you’ve done the trainers course it doesn’t give you much extra information. - It’s a lot of pages!! Which is great, it’s almost a movement bible. However reading the book did require me to sit a lot and the book really does convince you not to do so ;) i couldn’t make up my mind what to do.. keep reading or start moving.. but that means the book does exactly what it should! A must read!

Although I have only read a few books under the physical movement category, this is by far my favorite. It took me over a month to read the book since I wanted to assimilate the elements proposed by Erwan. Besides practical and adaptable movements to physically respond to unexpected real-world situations, what sets Natural Movement apart from other methods is that it also focuses on an unspecialized approach—enabling muscles to work synergistically for movement effectiveness. The first section of the book, which is composed of 12 principles of Natural Movement, is beautifully explained. We delve into the philosophy behind the practice. Erwan shows that Natural Movement is innate to us from an evolutionary standpoint. Then he shares the importance of physical movement for our own vitality by explaining that “along with healthy nutrition, deeply restorative sleep, and frequent contact with nature, movement is one the easiest, most underrated, and most underutilized forms of health practice you can access.” In terms of adaptability, we learn that “freedom of movement lies in our ability to adequately respond both to a changing environment and to changing situations in the most minute, accurate, and efficient way possible.” We also explore how progressive, efficient, and mindful movements encourage self-control, self-confidence, and self-worth. The second and third sections focus on movement efficiency and practice efficiency, respectively. It’s important to understand the background information to boost our progress and maximize our results while putting into practice the movements. In the last section, which covers about half of the book, we explore the technique in great detail. Erwan walks us through the details of hundreds of movements, leaving virtually no margin for guesswork. I have been incorporating some of the natural movements into my daily routine since I started reading the book. It kept me motivated and now I am able to see how these movements make complete sense. In addition to the present book, a complementary book I would recommend calls “A Guide to Better Movement” by Todd Hargrove. I say complementary because it focuses on the role of the nervous system in movement health—addressing the science behind the mind-body connection throughout quality movements. Take care, Haical

Being a Sport Movement Skill Acquisition Coach for NFL players, I am constantly on the lookout for anything that I can get my hands on which can potentially add even the smallest amount of extra quality to the programs I design to help facilitate enhanced movement behavior for players whose livelihoods depend on it. Having thoroughly studied books in the motor control and skill acquisition space (both scientific textbooks which are research-based as well as those geared towards practical application) for over the last decade, I feel as though I can spot means and methods which are purported by others simply for profit versus those which actually present high value to athletes and all human beings alike; meaning, those which have true staying power. As soon as I picked up this book, it was apparent that it stands firmly in that latter category. After fully reading ‘The Practice of Natural Movement” by Erwan Le Corre, I will strongly advocate for it even further. Throughout the entire book, it is crystal clear that this piece was something that Erwan not only invested every ounce of his authentic passion and energy into but also something that encompassed his entire life’s work. Erwan’s unique take on developing competency and adaptability within movement skill is one that rings true to my core and speaks directly to me. It’s also representative of a focus that I wholeheartedly believe that more human beings, athlete or not, should start placing a higher priority on which will pay tremendous dividends in ways that one can’t begin fathom when starting the journey. Erwan’s book will begin to show you the way.

I owned a commercial gym for 10 years and now coach high school baseball and strength and conditioning. I had the opportunity and privilege to train with Erwan and his MovNat team. That training changed my life, and this book--and the principles/guidelines it provides--can change yours. Prior to Natural Movement training, I was muscle "bound" in the worst way, though I didn't know it at the time. I had a gym physique, which I learned only served me in the controlled and artificial environment of the gym. I discovered Natural Movement principles/practices in 2012 and have been applying them (and still working out in a gym) ever since. I have dramatically improved my mobility and coordination, and I haven't lost any of the "strength" I built in the gym. Most importantly, I have learned how to function competently in a variety of movement contexts, and the confidence I've gained has helped me eliminate so much of the fearfulness I didn't even know I was carrying. This book is about so much more than fitness/physical health. Its practices will help you become a better person by liberating you from physical/mental/emotional constraints you might not know you had. You will move better, breathe deeper, and achieve the grace and empowerment that are the birthright of ALL of us. Buy this book and start a new chapter in your life.

I have been interested in movnat for a while but struggled to fully get into it because I didn't quite know where to start. this book has everything you need to build your own program from the ground up, organized in an easy to follow progression starting with ground movement and working up to more difficult movements. It has been very useful in beginning my own movement practice. The first part also has a history and philosophy of movnat that felt a bit long for my tastes, and I can understand being turned off by this, but overall it has been a helpful and informative book for my money.

This is a textbook for becoming a more integrated human being in a world that has lost touch with the body as a sacred vessel for mind and spirit. I have been practicing MovNat for several years and often tried to figure out how to explain it others without just saying "it worked for me." Movement in nature — *natural* movement— can seem like a superfluous hobby for those privileged enough to have the time. This book shows why that's completely the wrong way to think about it. Movement is not a luxury. If anything, spending time and money at a gym is a far greater "luxury," and natural movement the necessity. If you are not convinced by the evolutionary logic, you will still find a set of incredibly valuable techniques for navigating the world. When we "exercise" it's so easy to lose sight of the whole point, which is fitness to our environment. While we might not live in the same environment as our ancient ancestors, the modern world requires many of the same movements combinations (stepping over and under, jumping up and down, occasionally sprinting, etc.). Beyond this, the book re-teaches some of the most foundational human movements that we have unlearned since childhood like walking with upright posture and breathing in a controlled rhythm. Erwan and the MovNat organization are visionaries with a message that cannot be shared widely or loudly enough.

I found myself happily surprised at the awakening of my childhood love for play and movement. My views on fitness have completely changed and Erwan's Natural Movement manifesto reads exactly like it sounds. I could feel a sense of patriotism welling up inside of me as I read, and not a patriotism that is limited to nationalism, but the love of liberty and freedom that we are designed to live in as we become self empowered people, capable of serving and helping others. This is what we are designed for and part of why our western society is so sick. We are losing our birthright as complex, capable, practical, adaptable, lethal, and loving movers.

I have been involved in martial arts for most of my life. In addition, I’ve loved and played with my martial arts outdoors. The passion for movement has always been strong and as my understanding of it has grown so has my frustration. My students learn to move well assuming they remain on a flat, well lit surface. Take them outside and they’re all white belts again. MovNat in general has helped me clarify my thinking on the matter. We have adapted our environments to our movement so it will work instead of the natural and more skillful reverse. Some day my students will have the benefit of a MovNat affiliation, for now I will grow my own skills through this book and the ludicrous wealth of ‘free’(for us not them) information provided online. My children and I will have fun, work hard and be brave. Thanks for taking the time to produce a great book. When I saw the price tag I gulped, then became sure that it was that price for a reason. I’ve been impressed. Thank you.

Amazing n great book, my partner loves it n he reads literally everyday.

Oltre che un ottima guida per l’allenamento è una guida alla scoperta di una filosofia di vita.

El libro perfecto

I'm only approx half way through this book do far but I have loved it so far. I am totally convinced by the author's conviction about the importance of natural movement and look forward to moving through the exercises.

Ce bouquin est véritablement un dictionnaire concernant le "mouvement naturel". Tous ces gestes et postures qui tendent, sinon à disparaître, à se raréfier. Le bouquin propose évidemment un large descriptif technique sur la réalisation et la progression de ces gestes, mais la 1ere partie, plus philosophique, est tout aussi intéressante pour justifier ce retour aux sources. En tant que coach sportif en salle de remise en forme, il m'a été d'une grande inspiration. Le prix est largement amorti quand on en retire près de 500 pages d'informations applicables au quotidien. Sa richesse est à double tranchant cependant : il peut être lourd à lire d'un coup, mieux vaut alterner avec un bouquin plus léger !