Frank Forencich's Exuberant AnimalTo be strong to be useful and no more?
To be strong to be useful like a cog in the machine?
“Be strong to be useful” said Methode Naturelle’s motto and morals. But wait a minute, do you mean “useful” like a tool is useful, a cog in the machine is useful? Who or what should decide my own agenda, if not myself?
Isn’t there more to living one’s life to the fullest than just being strong, or even healthy? Isn’t it also important, maybe even more important, to be happy and free? How about “Be strong to be free” for instance?
In order to to be helpful to oneself, to others and to the world, wouldn’t it be a very relevant and fantastic thing to make oneself a strong, healthy, happy and free individual? How about a more comprehensive and probably more inspiring motto that would say “To be strong, healthy, happy and free”? And since I strongly believe it is our true nature to be strong, healthy, happy and free, how about a simpler motto, that would sound more like a positive invitation, like: “Explore Your True Nature”?
A different orientation for a different predicament
MovNat holds a unique philosophy called “True Nature” that is the foundation of the overall MovNat approach and orientation and that addresses major global issues that were almost unknown to Hebert, i.e., the Zoo Human predicament.
The philosophy behind MovNat is embodied in the motto: “Explore Your True Nature“.
The world changes ever more rapidly and indeed it has tremendously changed in the last century, and so have people, not in nature, but in lifestyle, mindsets and expectations as well as physical condition.
Spiritual Suffering
Mental Suffering
Physical Suffering
We’re not in 1905 anymore. More than a century later, we all face the massive, ongoing and increasing influence of the “Zoo” and it is a saddening thing to observe that more and more of us are turned into Zoo humans becoming weak, sick, depressed and conditioned. Unquestionably, we have become a pathetic version of what Nature had generously and intelligently designed us to be, or of what the human species itself, as a whole, had evolved to become until now.
It is a destructive predicament, and it would clearly be an ostrich attitude to deny or minimize it. Softly destroying your true nature, it also progressively destroys the nature that is around you and that is the real source of your life and health.
Or devolution?
Evolution???
Contact with nature is vital, but so is natural movement and natural eating
It is all connected actually. Painkiller anyone?
Is it really a fate we cannot do anything about?
It is not easy to deal with this predicament indeed. We were all born in the Zoo and being true to our nature is an amazing challenge. There is no ideal, perfect or ultimate one-size-fits-all solution and there is also certainly no easy one. You still can choose to go for coping mechanisms like watching more DVDs, playing more video games, eating more ice-cream and drinking more soda or beer. Or take a chill-pill?
Kid disconnected from his true nature and trying to cope with his physical and mental suffering
You can also go for quick-fixes: run on a treadmill or buy a Wiifit and swallow loads of laboratory-made supplements. But that’s treating the symptoms, not the causes. The truth is that it takes genuine dedication and often a tremendous courage to seriously and durably commit to a positive change in one’s own life.
“Nature deficit disorder”
The real priority issue is to battle a “nature deficit disorder”.
Nature Deficit Disorder – a great term coined by Richard Louv in 2005 and it refers to the alleged modern trend that both today’s children and adults are spending less time outdoors, resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems.
But when I say “nature deficit disorder”, I am not only talking about a lack of direct contact with nature in modern children, but a chronic lack of understanding, respect, experience and expression of the very nature that lies within us.
I believe that movement is our nature, and that it is actually natural movement that suits us best, all simply because it suits best the fundamental, universal, evolutionary and biological human nature which I call our “True Nature”.
Movement in nature is best, but above all, it is natural movement that matters first, natural movement that can re-awaken the need to be in touch with the nature around us. This quote by Pascal illustrates this viewpoint perfectly: “Our nature lies in movement, in complete calm is death.” It is actually more than a personal, subjective viewpoint. In fact, no animal, including the human animal, can thrive and maintain health and vitality when deprived from movement.
There are very effective solutions though, that are natural and healthy, free or quite inexpensive, but again it is all about being committed to apply them in real-life. Your real-life. It has to be a life-affirming orientation, and more than a concept: it must be an experience, a reality.
MovNat, in this regard, is actually much more than fitness and can as well be more than just the Natural Movement Training System. It is also an education program designed to rehabilitate the “Zoo human” with its unique “True Nature” philosophy that affirms that it is our universal birthright to be strong, healthy, happy and free.
It addresses much more than just the hypothetical promise and the limited objective of obtaining an ideal body shape. It actually guarantees something actually invaluable and priceless, which is that you will learn how to experience your true nature again, without having to go back to life in huts or caves, while still having the possibility to enjoy the best of modern life.
Getting back to a wild state is probably mission impossible, and actually not necessarily such a desirable ambition. However, being true to one’s nature is, with sufficient commitment, a very accessible goal that will positively transform your experience of life.
Young kids free and happy to explore their true nature
Where there is exuberant movement, there is strength, health, happiness and freedom.
So before you can actually be strong and may decide to be useful to others, I strongly advise that you start where it all starts…
…finally meet who you truly are. Explore your true nature!
Erwan Le Corre
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Thanks for the article Erwan!
For all those interested,Richard Louv published a book called”The Last Child In The Woods” And it talks mainly about Nature Deficit Disorder.As an ex camp cousellor,it helped me understand the kids I was dealing with and I think everyone should read and suggest this book.Have fun out there everyone!
Thank you David for the information on the book. I am going to look for it. Where I live sports are a huge thing for the parents. They think that if they have their little ones, and i am talking three years old, in organized sports that it is all they need. I think sports are fine and have their place, but kids also need to be creative and free in their play and in their learning. Adults forget that children learn by playing. I love to watch my little ones play in the woods because I know that when they are with me is the only time they get to do it. They are also learning and they are teaching me.
Erwan,
Your last response to Lane’s post kind of hit the mark for me, finding that balance between connection with our human roots and enjoying and using the positive tools and technologies of today to improve our situations. This is the thing that I struggle with, in the sense of, not romanticizing the past and not completely shunning the modern and turning into a total luddite. I have found greater disappointment with the modern though and I think this is one of the many reasons why this topic as struck a cord with so many people. I think it may be easy for us who don’t really know exactly what MovNat is and only have a brief understanding of it thru clips here and there, to confuse MovNat with doing pull ups on a tree branch. I think most of us here, it seems, enjoy being outside, backpacking, hiking, biking, fishing, trail running, etc. I feel it’s just most important to get connected with nature whenever one can, doing the things they love the most while avoiding injury to maximize the quality of their lives, of course this also means staying fit, physically and mentally. I really enjoy this forum, so many curious, active, positive people looking to improve their lives, I find this inspiring. Also, Erwan, that last bit of advice you offered me is exactly one of the things that I struggle with and have for many years, to hear that it was something that took you years to process helps me with my frustration, many people won’t admit even dealing with it. Society’s answers are limiting and have always left me asking more, I do and always have and will question everything but the answers are hard to come bye. Forging ones own path in a sea of assimilation and conformity is probably a life long dedication and always a more difficult path, but I feel it’s the one worth walking. I never expected quick answers, but sharing with others willing to admit their frustration and own faults, is helpful, even if it’s with like minded strangers over the internet. I love exercising outdoors, I find it very therapeutic and can’t wait to learn more about MovNat, I think it will be very helpful. Please understand one thing though, I’m not complaining here, sometimes though, inaction in certain areas in ones life isn’t always a sign of laziness but possibly a sign of confusion resulting in one getting stuck. It happens to the best of us, it’s the denial of this that cripples so many of us, especially I feel for us men too proud to admit it. Thanks again Erwan and Lane for your thoughts.
Very inspirational, and informative. Truly instructive…as usual. When are you returning to Southern California?
i feel robbed by this world
it tries to take happiness and health
as if they could replace joy with wealth
but my anger helps to fuel my action
and you’ll see that it grows, our faction!
i’ll take back whats rightly mine
what nature gave, and i see a sign
in the joy i find
freeing myself from these things that bind!
from awakening my true nature
and living this incredible adventure!
energy flows in me
i feel so alive
from the pains i am free
that in the zoo thrive
i’d like to thank my teachers who opened so many doors
so that i can now spread my wings and soar!
we’ll spread to the world the word
“escape the zoo! run, laugh, love, be cured!”
this planet we can make anew
us and everyone else too!
with nature in our spirts
and love in our hearts
this is the begining of the revolution!
this is the start!
Hello World!
I would really like to thank you for all your hard job and motivation that has made possible the existance of this ”NEW” art.
After reflecting it, I’m completely agreed with you and with your philosphy Mr Le Corre!
Well, to be honest I’ve never heard such thing before until yesterday, when I went to my local newspaper and bought Men’s Health (spanish version). I’m a 16 years old guy from a cute island called Baleares, where I’m sure I’ll be able to practise it thanks to its wonderful beaches and its natural environment.
I’ll start it as soon as possible and try to find people in my town which would like to practise it also.
I really hope this philosophy will be well-known sonner or later, and we will “start” again in the way our ancestors did. To conclude
Cheers from Spain!
Hello Erwan,
your last post is from June 29th, 2009! What is the matter? No newsletter since many, many weeks. No so offense meant. As I write, I am smile! But I am waiting for more articles of you. And please tell me when your book comes out. I look forward to hear your interview with Dominik F. Coming soon!
As I say in my language (german):
Gruss (Regards) vom “Hatti”!
@B-boy, thanks for you poetic contribution.
.
.
@Daniel, well, welcome to the movement
@FRank, true, it’s just I’ve been extremely busy with getting my visa, preparing my travel to the USA and actually MOVING there (where I am now), preparing the seminars, then now running them, you can imagine how time-consuming all that is?
So please be patient, I will have much more time to be active on the website again as from mid September, there are plans for the website, but I cannot rush that process and do everything at the same time.
I will resume working on my book also after these courses as I am now 100% on them but every trainee is having a blast so far, which makes me very happy
Most things here have been expressed beautifully. All I can add is that I look forward to ANY additional literature to read while I save my pennies for a training session. Great job Erwan and for all involved with the first USA seminars.
ah but it is i who should be thanking you!
you are freeing so many people from this zoo!
anyway,
i will not waste more your time
with rhymes
you have very important seminars to teach
and as for me, it is really time to sleep
P.s. good luck!:D
and really looking forward
to your book:)
Hi Erwan,
My workouts and training are almost always inspired by the next adventure or expedition I am planing.
My next challenge however is completely new to me: my first ultra race: the Atacama Crossing 2010.
Having no experience at all, not with ultra racing,not with MovNat, my question is the following: How can I use MovNat for the next six months, while preparing for an ultra run in the Atacama Desert?
Merci beaucoup!
Bert
Thanks B Hardwick. MovNat.com is going to improve within the next weeks, and I will resume my blog activity in a few days.
As for literature, I am also soon going to resume the redaction of my book about the philosophy and practice of natural movement.
Bert, MovNat is not a conditioning program that adapts to the needs of specialized sports even though the practice of MovNat can help performance in many specialized sports.
However, to actually practice MovNat you need to learn the techniques and the methodology and at the moment the only way to do that is to come train with me. I do not teach online or provide customized online support.
Direct coaching is always best.
Indeed Erwan,
Direct coaching is always the best!
(wasn’t looking for online coaching, just wanted to share my question with others in a similar situation)
Looking forward to your book and to training with you,
Thanks for inspiring,
Bert
Erwan,
I was wondering if you are familiar with CrossFit at all, and if so, what is your opinion of it?
Hi Ryan
I am familiar with the concept and there are some similarities with MovNat but also many differences.
All I can tell for now is that it is my observation that so far all CrossFit practitioners that have trained with me were in pretty good shape but still got challenged both physically and mentally and came to the realization that they had to broaden their training to make it truly “functional”.
Thank you for a truly inspiring post!!!!!!
The most important word for me in this post is FREEDOM.
Freedom is opportunity.
Freedom is happiness.
Freedom allows you to fulfill your potential both physically and mentally.
My 4 year son demonstrates FREEDOM. When I watch him play with his cousins, they play HARD. Instinctively they demonstate speed, agilty, endurance amd strength with no restrictions. They just MOVE and they ENJOY the FREEDOM of PLAYING and LEARNING.
It’s going to be a challenge but I feel that it’s my duty to help them stay FREE!!