Issue #48: Circularity & Interconnectivity
Weekly curated resources for movers, creatives, and coaches.
One big perspective shift in my practice has been linearity to circularity. That’s originally what attracted me to this world of movement, the non-linear approach. When I was first exposed to closed-system flows and other forms of organic movement, conventional fitness broke for me. My perfectly good world of globo-gym machines and WODs was forever ruined. I knew my days of only chasing bigger, faster, and stronger were gone.
Ultimately, there was a part of me that wanted to express my physicality and I wasn’t ever going to be able to do that through the robotic, linear approach to fitness. I realized that only through circularity can one truly express themselves through movement.
Somewhere in there is a metaphor for life that can be unpacked. Maybe next time.
I’m off to make some bone broth. ✌️
*Before we get into this week’s roundup. I realize I don't share many listening options in my newsletter. I’m not too sure if listening to things is part of your repertoire.
↓ ↓ ↓
READ, WATCH, LISTEN ⤵
WATCH: I, Pencil - The Movie
(Length: 6 minutes)
If there was a single piece of work that introduced me to the idea of systems thinking and interconnectedness, it was Leonard Reed’s essay, “I, Pencil.” It’s a wonderfully written essay from the point of view of a pencil and how it came to be. This beautifully animated video breaks down exactly how it’s done.
“Like most modern wonders, the pencil is the end product of an intricate chain of human activity that spans the globe. There is no mastermind dictating the making of a pencil; not even the CEO of a pencil company could tell you exactly how to make one.”
READ: The Domino Effect: How to Create a Chain Reaction of Good Habits
(Reading Time: ~5 minutes)
“You can never change just one behavior. Our behaviors are interconnected, so when you change one behavior, other behaviors also shift.”
WATCH: David Grey Golf Swing Analysis
(Length: 5.5 minutes)
Whether or not you’re a golf fan, David Grey does a great job analyzing Bryson DeChambeau's golf swing from a biomechanical perspective. He makes a great point about how common it is to see people’s training actually decrease movement optionality over time. It only takes a few seconds of slow-motion footage to see how everything in the body is connected.
Aesthetically Pleasing 👀
UPO - Unidentified Playful Object →
The UPO is a beautifully designed sandbag (*I think it fills with sand.) What I love about abstract, simple tools are the infinite ways you can utilize them in your practice and they double up as a beautiful adornment for the house.
“The shape adapts to your body, giving you exactly what you need. From grounded stretching positions to interesting weight distributions for strength training. The Gi-inspired skin of the UPO also develops your grip strength immensely.”
Tiny Insight 🧠
“He who plucks a flower disturbs a star.” ~Paul Dirac
•••
To Circularity,
Galo Alfredo Naranjo
PS. How did you like this week’s issue? Your feedback helps me make it better.
Great • Good • Meh
I read this post the other day & it inspired me to re-visit some closed-system movement flows. I built a few patterns, then combined them, then broke all the rules & let some music guide me into an open-system flow. I really enjoyed what came through in the practice, my Body & I thank you for the inspiration!