The New Exercise Programme Everyone’s Talking About: Animal Flow

There’s a new kind of exercise that’s about to explode. If you haven’t yet heard of Animal Flow, you’re about to. Here we get the low down from Animal Flow programme curator Kaman Ryan (also a well-regarded nutritionist and wellness coach) on this fat burning, muscle building fitness regimen that takes us right back to our primal roots.
The best bit about it? Like yoga, it can be done anywhere, any time.

So what is it?

Animal Flow is an innovative new fitness programme that combines ground-based movement with elements of various body-weight training disciplines to create a fun, challenging workout that emphasizes multi-planar, fluid movement. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels will find significant benefits from the practice.

All animal movements place the body in a ?four pillar? position, meaning your hands and feet are touching the floor. By using animal forms for exercise, you will be experiencing Animal Flow’s unique multi-planar technique. Exercise becomes fluid rather than compartmentalized.

What benefits can we expect?

Increased mobility
Fun way to improve your flexibility
Improved core stability
More power & muscular endurance
Improved neuromuscular communication
Cardio conditioning that is never boring

How do the classes go?

Each class?comprises of 6 primary components: Wrist Mobilizations; Form Specific Stretches; Activations; Traveling Forms; Switches & Transitions; and Flows.

From where did the Animal Flow method come? Who developed it
and why?

Animal Flow was created by Mike Fitch during his personal journey into bodyweight disciplines. Animal Flow is a combination of his experience with gymnastics, Parkour, hand balancing, circus arts, breakdancing, and traditional progressive body weight training.

While each of the bodyweight disciplines is unique in its own way, they all share common elements. One of these is the concept is ?flow? where you seamlessly link the movements together. These movements are powerful for improving the function of the human body and mind.

Who can do Animal Flow?

Animal Flow is for everyone. No matter your age or fitness level, you will notice an improvement in the way you move after practicing Animal Flow.

Of course, if you have an injury or are recovering from a medical condition, you should consult your physician to get the green light before starting.

Why did you become an instructor in this particular kind of exercise?

My background is in personal training, and I have always loved finding fun, innovative exercises for my clients. I have taught boxing, corrective exercise, TRX, Battle Ropes and HIIT, but I discovered something different and unique in Animal Flow: a true connection between body and mind. Each Animal Flow session is different and organic, creating a true sense of ?being in your own skin?. The pure physical benefits are also clear: an increase in core stability and overall mobility, and great overall tone in the body. Some people describe the class as Yoga in Motion: it is that and so much more.

Ok, where do we sign up?

Classes will be launching at Platinum Pilates in Rathmines(302 Rathmines Rd. Lower, D6) on November 12th. It will run every Thursday at 5 pm. You can find out about classes on www.platinumpilates.ie. Booking will be made available starting October 12th.

Once a month I teach Animal Flow in Wild Geese Martial Arts (Magennis Place, Dublin 2)

I also run a free flow session every month at different locations based on the weather. Be sure to follow my facebook page (Kaman Ryan) to find out more.

@KamanRyan?on Twitter and Instagram, Kaman Ryan PT, HHC on Facebook.