Impracticality

When particular contexts, such as environmental hazards, call for certain actions, such as avoiding contact with a low leveled obstruction, we tend to involuntarily move in such a way as to prevent the potentially negative outcomes of what a failed reaction could result in against said obstruction. It can be further asserted that no preparational training classes would ever be so necessary as for one to accomplish the reflexive skill of: crouching—that's because it's instinctual. So, why do most of us not apply crouching to daily life, and instead practice skills (applicable to working out or walking to check the mail) that aren't practical? Is it because our modern environments rarely pose the need to crouch or is it because the act of going around any low leveled obstruction would be much less hassle? Disregarding additional factors, the correct answer is actually both.

This kind of hypothetical scenario applies to any kind of environmental condition(s) or movement execution(s). Our environments, like those found in public spaces or even our homes are missing the diversity of what nature or even indoor gyms offer: variety of movement. If all we performed were the typical lying, sitting, standing, and, occasionally, bending down movements we would miss out on the practical lying, sitting, standing, and bending down movements that can foster variety more naturally. But, wait… what’s the difference between the two types of movements when they appear to be the same? And how does one type have less variety than the other?

The first answer to those questions are in regards to each of their applications. A typical day of moving might consist of lying - perhaps for resting or fixing a leak. Sitting - also for resting or driving. Standing - maybe for job purposes or being in a corner while counting to 60 (assuming you’re able to count that high) because you’re in trouble. And bending down - picking up an object or being in a lower viewing position. This is not to say that these moves are not useful, just that they do not translate well to real-world applications. And our environments (our modern architecture) is partially to blame. Which, intentionally or unintentionally, fosters lack of variety with every city, town or land scape being built with flat, blocky, hip-height, within-arms-reach, predictable constructions in mind.

The practical version of these movements does the opposite. Lying can be utilized for self-concealment or to crawl underneath a fallen tree. Sitting can also be to rest on the ground or to excrete. Standing can be a transitional movement from/to other movements or to balance across a narrow surface. And bending down can be used to hold your position or to decrease the impact of a fall. When these kinds of movements are performed in nature or a gym setting (that offers diverse parameters) variety of movement practically beats movements that are typically found in at-home/at-work environments.

The second is in each one’s efficiency. If lying is efficient for fixing leaks does that make the movement itself efficient? On its own, perhaps. And, obviously, with enough experience. But practicing or engaging lying—assuming the movement is only performed for particular, limited purposes—doesn’t make you efficient it just makes you effective overall at doing whatever activity or task you are doing. Another example would be lying down for resting (sleeping) purposes. There are very few ways you can get it wrong positionally speaking. As far as progression in the movement itself is concerned though, becoming efficient at lying merely maxes out its capacity. Practicality must come after efficiency has been established if any real measures of progress are to be achieved, at which point efficiency would need to be re-established due to differing factors found in environments that, again, foster variety.

The third are their reasons for doing so. When comparing the two different approaches moving with practicality in mind gives you the ability to apply movements relative to any aforementioned scenario regardless of the activity or task, or situation at hand. Often times, gyms or outdoor facilities encourage movements that are only applicably useful for the locations to which they are practiced in. And if a location’s use cases only encourage functional (in relation to “typical” movements) fitness then practical movement’s relevancy would seem nothing more than arbitrary.

For example, one reason for crouching (being in a lowered position) when performed in a real situation might be to remain undetected from a dangerous predator or person trying to find you while moving in any direction you may need to go, perhaps through some shrubs or beside a low wall. Your goal isn’t to gain lower body strength, your goal is to get to the nearest secure area as safely as possible in order to stay alive, while in the process inevitably gaining lower body strength in your body’s pursuit to prepare for the next situation. That is called purposeful moving.

The functional version of a crouch is not crouching at all, really. It is rather a squat (a lowered position in various stances) or even a lunge (a medium position in a kneeling stance) or some other low-position skill. Do squats or lunges normally take place in your home or at your job? Perhaps in some instances, but I am willing to wager that it is not performed very often, and likely not outside of those environments until it’s absolutely necessary to do so… at which point you may come across a type of terrain or particular situation that isn’t well suited for the kinds of squats or lunges that are practiced in a totally opposite environment. That’s where not practicality but adaptability comes into play; a little teaser for a future entry.

What's The Purpose?

Human beings may be instinctual, but when faced with unknown circumstances, instinct will only take you so far in a situation that you aren’t prepared for. Even in the absence of a threatening situation will you find practicality in practicing applicable, efficient, and reasonable movements within an environment and training methodology that fosters variety performed through sessions found in just moving naturally. Which, gives you the chance to utilize moves that you might have otherwise missed.

Understandingly, in reading through all of these scenarios may it be inferred that moving purposely seems unnecessary in a world where typical movement is “sufficient”, and functional movement is “sustainable” to our health. But what makes the typical movements that might belong to what you would do in your home, at your job, gym or for recreational purposes so attractive? Is it being, mostly, inactive for hours on end each day only to cram more intense variety-derivative movements into one hour or so? Is it the fear of the outdoors? Or is it the ease and simplicity of being sedentary inside? Of course, a myriad of other reasons exist for why most don’t move naturally, thereby underutilizing practical movements in relation to their situational responses. But, separating practice from daily life and following any of these principles/ideologies does a horrendous amount of disservice to one’s body.

So, what is movement without practicality, real life situations, and variety-fostered environments... good-enough functionality, movements that only cater to our surroundings, and industrialization. We just aren’t being challenged enough.

Trainer For Hire

And that’s where Wilderly steps in. Wilderly is about teaching you movements that matter to the body in a meaningful way, as opposed to what modernity constitutes as sufficient or sustainable. Like, going around obstructions when the better, perhaps even necessary way would be to crouch, crawl, roll or drag your way underneath to get through to the other side. But more than the ability to crouch are the lessons that are learned in how the manner of efficiency is applied and executed, when to inhale and exhale or how positions could be approached, optimized, and balanced. This kind of training takes any preconception one might have of movement into the perspective of true capability. Allow me to show you the way of Wilderly.

Shortcut Not Found

Sustaining bad habits?
This single stretching exercise is all you need to do the trick!
Bad habits may still persist.

Not enough time to engage in physical activity?
Excruciate all of your energy into just 15 minutes of leisure practice a day.
Feelings of laziness may occur within the other 23 hours.

Hurt feet?
Walk in a pair of these extra cushioned shoes, now!
This product does not correct improper gait.

If back pain has you down you're doing it wrong.
Get your massage chair.
Not a treatment for back pain.

Physical exercise has become, almost, entirely supplemental. These, rather exaggerated, statements are examples of what is typically advertised or even prescribed to anyone who has deficiencies in their lives and believes quick fixes to be a necessity. But in sooth, this whole idea is substitutional for what was never meant to be replaced to begin with nor lessened to the extent of accessorization: movement that's long, engaging, therapeutic, and effective.

A Pill Not Hard to Swallow

Wilderly's training principles can subdue bad habits; too much idleness perhaps, instead of temporarily replacing them. It can allow for time to be ignored or what little you may have to be enhanced. It can improve your gait as opposed to hiding your inefficiencies in shoes. And it can even teach you to use that back pain to your advantage as an instrument of might against the idiocracies of a world that places its trust in good backs!!... Let Wilderly be your guide.

Barefoot

For those who are unfamiliar with the benefits of going shoeless, doing any sort of movement with feet that are bare is indeed irrefutably healthier for things both internal (body) and external (environment)—without too much reiteration, a lot of published studies and dedicated web pages confirm such facts. However, so do their (most forums, blogs) exaggerated claims.

Walk A Mile In My...

As preferable as going shoeless truly is such claims make going barefoot to be the end all be all. Just like minimalism makes doing with less the cure-all. Or that one superfood giving your body all the nutrients it'll ever need. In reality, every good practice needs to be applied to make a noticeable difference. Not even Wilderly, with all of the attributes that natural movement has to offer, can encompass every aspect of living well and healthily physically. Although, going barefoot makes enormous changes to how you move for the better if not done properly moving without shoes can just make walking or any skill uncomfortable to do. Furthermore, if all you do for the most part is walk, sit or even climb going barefoot has minimal effects. The same goes for the terrain upon which you move. If it's consistently flat and stable, or even bumpy and unstable, it can do more harm than heal. And trust me, I have personally (unknowingly) experimented with all of this.

Even so, going barefoot doesn't have enough merit to be the finality or be the last improvement you'll ever need to make as people seem to close their claims with, respectively. Yet, being barefoot, in addition to practicing natural movement on varied terrain, actually transforms the muscles through your whole body, makes your feet more resilient to impact, and so much more. Knowing these positives, does going barefoot really need any more convincing when considering the alternative being thick, stiff, heavy, crammed shoes?

Well, Yeah. It Does

What's wrong with shoes? Nothing really, unless they're thick, stiff, heavy, and crammed! (or even half of those). Such shoes invoke unnatural movement because that is exactly what they advertise, only with different verbiage. When boiled down to its essence, shoes keep your feet from moving the way that they are intended to in the name of societal normality and protection from the elements. This goes for the rest of our clothing as well no matter how much stretch they're structured with. Athletic wear is designed for indoor activities even if the materials they're made of can withstand nature most are not made with the environment's health in mind. Other times, our value in our foot's or any other body part's health is traded for the job we work at for dress code's sake.

Barefoot Plus Shoes Plus Moving Naturally

Going completely nude is viable, but obviously unrealistic for nearly every situation. Going barefoot would be the least that you could do, but can be rather uncomfortable physically when making the transition and also mentally when surrounded by a society that thinks the mere sight of feet in public is an abnormality. So, a solution would be with what your feet wear. Enter Anya's Reviews, the most extensive website there is on barefoot wear. If you want to go in depth on the workings of the human foot and how our modern shoe wear has affected our whole lives (for the worst) please, visit her website and not only gather knowledge but find the perfect pair of shoes for any situation, including your next training session with me.

We adapt ourselves to nature, not the other way around; forcing our will onto the designs of the natural world in exchange for our own selfish desirables has been commonly confused with human prevail. Seldom do most of us do for the benefit of others, including nature, as opposed to going against it; knowingly or unknowingly. Instead, we should be using others and the natural environment to our advantage, and work in  tandem with them. Adapt your body to the physical demands and impositions that the insentient natural world offers to all living things and be astounded by the transformations that will occur within your body that no other matter can possibly reproduce.