MovNat and Our Methods

We follow the methods of MovNat, which derive from human nature, human biology, human biomechanics, and human history. MovNat is a system of physical education based on modern science and on what our ancestors had to do to survive and thrive. It is eminently practical.

It is a scientific, technique-based, skill-based system that does not do isolated exercises, but rather recognizes how all human movements are connected, e.g., rolling to crawling to walking to running to climbing, or throwing to closing or opening a door to striking to kicking to jumping. Everything is connected; nothing works in isolation. You can learn more in an online MovNat Manual: principles of MovNat, skills of MovNat, and more, and you can see more about the MovNat skills in the From the Ground Up series.

“MovNat’s method symbiotically develops positional and breath control, spatial awareness, coordination, balance, mobility, stability, strength, power, endurance, adaptability and resiliency, as well as focus/mindfulness and mental fortitude.” –Erwan LeCorre

As the founder Erwan LeCorre writes: “MovNat is a school of physical competence for the real-world. Our goal is to equip people with the movement skills, physiological preparedness (strength & conditioning), and mindset necessary for practical, adaptable performance –- both fundamental and high level.

“As a physical education system and fitness method, MovNat is entirely based on the practice of Natural Movement skills, i.e. movements that the human body was designed or ‘selected’ to perform. These skills can be divided into three categories:

“Locomotive
Manipulative
Combative

“Locomotive skills include ground movements (crawling, get-ups), balancing, walking, running, jumping, climbing, and aquatic skills.

“Manipulative skills include lifting, carrying, throwing, and catching.

“Combative skills include grappling and striking.

“MovNat’s method symbiotically develops positional and breath control, spatial awareness, coordination, balance, mobility, stability, strength, power, endurance, adaptability and resiliency, as well as focus/mindfulness and mental fortitude.”

This system is both general and specific, and is a base for specializing, if we want, in some sport or fitness practice we might enjoy, e.g., Yoga or boating or tennis.

Read also The History of Physical Fitness by Erwan LeCorre.

From some of MovNat’s materials:

MovNat is loved and approved by many physical therapists, and is used for its deep practical methods to help clients — and if physical therapists approve, you know it has to be good!

1. “Nick’s Amazing Transformation with Natural Movement” by Nick Burroughs Physical Therapist & Level II MovNat Certified Trainer.
2. “4 Lessons This Doctor Learned From Natural Movement” by Dr. Phil Lombardo PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, PES, CES, NFHS, USATF, MCT, EMRT.
3. “A Physical Therapist Awakens to MovNat” by Jimmy Minner PT, DPT, SCS, MCT II.
4. “Why MovNat in a Physical Therapy Practice?” by Dr. Jenny Ploss PT, DPT, Level 2 MovNat Certified Trainer.
5. “Lessons Learned By Physical Therapist Who Went ‘All In’ With MovNat” by Thomas Berkery Physical Therapist, Level 1 MovNat Certified Trainer

Some articles written by physical therapists.

1. “How to Prevent Back Problems and Spinal Injuries with Natural Movement” by Dr. Jenny Ploss PT, DPT, OCS, Level 2 MovNat Certified Trainer.
2. “How to Overcome Limitations with Natural Movement (by Dr. Barnett)” By Tim Barnett PT, DPT, OCS, MCT L1.
3. “5 Natural Movements Superior to Burpees” by Thomas Berkery Physical Therapist, Level 1 MovNat Certified Trainer.
4. “4 Motor Learning Strategies To Enhance Natural Movement Results with People of all Abilities” by Dr. Connie Johnson PT, DScPT.
5. “How Jenny Climbs Runs and Cycles with Fewer Injuries and More Confidence Than Ever Before” by Dr. Jenny Ploss PT, DPT, OCS, Level 2 MovNat Certified Trainer.
6. “Why Natural Movement Is Therapy” by Dr. Jenny Ploss PT, DPT, OCS, Level 2 MovNat Certified Trainer.

MovNat is needed in schools, and is used by some trailblazers:

1. “Why Kids Need Natural Movement – Case Study at Bloom” by Amar Muhić, Physical Education Teacher at Bloom
2. Audra Hokl, MCT L2, does some good work at Chinook Trail
3. Chinook Trail Middle School’s Facebook page

Behind the scenes, MovNat is like or is associated with FMS (Gray Cook, Lee Burton, et. al.), Katy Bowman, her Nutritious Movement system, Kelly Starrett, Pavel Tsasouline, Darryl Edwards, his Primal Play system, GMB Fitness, and more.

1. Kelly Starrett was a guest on the FMS Podcast.
2. Lee and Gray have talked about MovNat in a number of episodes of their FMS Podcast.
3. Gray Cook and Erwan LeCorre (Erwan founded MovNat) did a course together.
4. Danny Clark of MovNat and Katy Bowman have also done a course together.
5. Katy Bowman was a guest on the FMS Podcast.
6. Pavel Tsatsouline’s Strong First works with MovNat’s Vic Verdier.
7. Brett Jones, with StrongFirst, was a guest on the FMS Podcast.
8. Here is a CrossFit Level 3 Certified Trainer (and MovNat Level 1 Certified Trainer) interviewing a MovNat Level 3 Certified Trainer.
9. “Top-ranking UFC fighter Carlos Condit shares great insights about his MovNat / Natural Movement Fitness training with founder Erwan Le Corre.”
10. “Navy SEAL on MovNat: Brilliant, Practical, Not Flashy: How this Navy SEAL Commander Takes Real World Fitness to Another Level with Natural Movement” by Mark Bollong.

In the pre-dawn hours of a long December night a structure fire occurred in the apartments above a local restaurant (see news story here). Pulling on scene we immediately heard people screaming about a man trapped inside.

A lot of thoughts ran through my head during that long search down the hallway and into the fully involved room with the victim including a moment of zen-like clarity where I was fully appreciative of all my time spent practicing crawling. I wholeheartedly believe that if it were not for the impact and influence of MovNat on my training, I would not have been able to rescue that man in such harrowing conditions.

It is easy to write off some advertising messages as fluff with no substance. But that night, I lived the importance of MovNat’s “Be strong to be helpful” philosophy.” –Lieutenant Michael D’Avella, “I Lived MovNat’s ‘Strong To Be Helpful’ Philosophy” (18 Oct 2018)