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Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
#348 The New Addition To My Morning Routine: Master Your Mind Through Movement and Breathwork with Erwan Le Corre
Mar 28, 2023
02:23:12
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Quick takeaways
- Natural movements promote physical and mental well-being, allowing us to tap into our innate capabilities and versatility as humans.
- Prioritizing functional movements over appearance leads to overall well-being and self-confidence, as they prepare us for real-world situations.
- Engaging in natural movements brings joy and fulfillment, offering a mindful and present-focused experience that connects us to our physical abilities.
- Practicing natural movements with mindfulness enhances the mind-body connection, improving coordination and flexibility in a natural and functional way.
Deep dives
The Value of Natural Movements
Natural movements are essential for our physical and mental well-being. They allow us to tap into our innate capabilities and versatility as humans. Unlike the limited and isolated movements often seen in traditional gym workouts, natural movements engage our entire body, promote adaptability, and provide a sense of enjoyment. Whether it's crawling on all fours, jumping, balancing, or carrying objects, natural movements help us reconnect with our bodies and reawaken our potential.
Moving for Function, Not Just Looks
Many of us prioritize the appearance of our physique over functional movements. We believe that having a certain physique will bring us self-confidence and satisfaction. However, focusing solely on aesthetics can lead us to neglect the importance of being physically capable in real-world situations. The ability to run, climb, swim, jump, and move naturally is fundamental for our overall well-being and self-confidence. Natural movements serve as a foundation for physical competency, which goes beyond looking fit and enables us to carry out functional movements effectively.
The Pleasure of Natural Movement
Engaging in natural movements is a joyful and fulfilling experience. Unlike the often tedious and repetitive nature of traditional exercise routines, natural movements allow us to explore and play with our bodies. When we move naturally, our focus shifts to mindfulness and being present in the moment, which brings a sense of instant gratification and satisfaction. Whether it's jumping, climbing, running, or moving on all fours, natural movements provide a deep sense of enjoyment and a connection to our innate physical abilities.
Mindfulness and the Mind-Body Connection
Practicing natural movements requires us to be mindful and fully engaged in the present moment. It's about consciously moving our bodies with intention and awareness. This mindful approach helps us develop a deeper mind-body connection, which is essential for optimal physical performance and overall well-being. By being present during natural movements, we can better focus on the mechanics of our bodies, improve coordination, and build strength and flexibility in a way that is natural and functional.
The Power of Holding Your Breath
The breath hold work meditation course offers a transformative experience of self-discovery and self-mastery. By holding your breath and managing the urge to breathe, you learn to control your mind and regulate your nervous system. The practice allows you to confront discomfort, build trust in yourself, and cultivate a sense of safety and tranquility. Through intentional breath holding, you tap into profound states of bliss and stillness, accessing deep meditation and reducing stress and anxiety. By mastering your mind in this extreme practice, you gain the ability to down-regulate anywhere, bringing peace, patience, and clarity into your everyday life.
The Choice to Trust Yourself
In the breath hold work meditation course, the choice to trust yourself becomes the key to success. As you experience the urge to breathe and confront discomfort, you discover that your mind has the power to intentionally shape your experience. By establishing a sense of safety and tranquility through intentional down-regulation, you learn to calm and quiet your mind. This trust in yourself and your ability to choose your experience extends beyond the breath hold practice. It empowers you to face the challenges and stresses of everyday life with patience, clarity, and self-confidence.
Breath Control and the Mind-Body Connection
The breath hold work meditation course emphasizes the mind-body connection and the profound impact of breath control on our mental and physical well-being. By slowing down our breathing, practicing intentional breath holds, and regulating our responses to discomfort, we gain insight into how our mental state affects our physiology. As we navigate the primal urge to breathe and develop the ability to calm our minds, we access deeper meditative states and expand our capacity to self-regulate and find comfort in any situation.
Daily Practice and Self-Mastery
The breath hold work meditation course emphasizes the importance of daily practice and self-mastery. With consistent practice, we can recondition our minds, shaping our experiences and responses to stress. By engaging in a daily practice, we become intimately familiar with ourselves, our mental patterns, and our ability to choose tranquility and comfort despite discomfort. Unlocking this self-mastery allows us to navigate the challenges of life with resilience, positivity, and a deep connection to our inner selves.
Today’s guest is someone who I have wanted to talk to for many years. I first came across him around 10 years ago and was fascinated by his approach to movement and, in particular, natural movement.
Erwan Le Corre is the founder of MovNat, a school of physical competency entirely based on natural movement. Since 2008, it has quickly spread globally, with certification courses, weekend retreats and instructors all over the world. One of Erwan’s core philosophies is that many of us have become 'zoo-humans' and as a result, we are suffering physically, mentally, and spiritually. In his ground-breaking book, The Practice of Natural Movement: Reclaim Power, Health and Freedom, Erwan outlines a simple process to help us all get back to who we are meant to be.
As humans, we are incredibly physically versatile. We can walk, run, sit, stand, jump, swim, dive, throw, catch, climb and more. But how many of these movements do we typically do daily? Why have we become removed from these intrinsic, functional capabilities? And does going to the gym or lifting a few weights at home, really compensate enough?
Erwan currently holds the US National Record in STA (static apnea) with a 7 minute and 8 second breath hold. Over the past few years, he has been researching, experimenting with and developing his own breath-work practice, now named BreathHoldWork meditation.
He launched his method online and I completed the course. It was one of the best courses I have ever done and it really has had a transformative effect on me. So much so, that what I learned has found its way into my daily morning routine. At the start of the course, I could only hold my breath for about 1 minute. Within 4 weeks, I increased that to 4 minutes and 20 seconds! It was not because my body had adapted physiologically, it is because he taught me how to harness the power of my mind.
Erwan’s technique is completely different from The Wim Hof Method. In Erwan’s method there is no hyperventilation, which in his opinion means you can gain deeper insights, achieve greater calm and more quickly access a state of inner peace. By learning how to quieten your mind and nervous system, when your body is begging you to breathe, you learn something quite profound about yourself - and it is a skill that transfers into other parts of your life. If you can stay calm in this kind of environment, most things in life afterward appear relatively easy in comparison.
This was a really enjoyable conversation, about inspiring you to rediscover who you really are - an innately capable and resilient human. I hope you enjoy listening.
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Thanks to our sponsors:
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Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/348
DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.
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