When we think about kangaroos, we often picture their incredible strength, agility, and balance. What makes these animals so unique is their ability to harness neurological recruitment and engage their muscles efficiently. This concept is foundational to my training methodology, which draws inspiration from the way kangaroos move and thrive.
Kangaroos use their tails not just for balance but as an integral part of their movement. Similarly, humans rely on the sacral and coccyx area of the spine for stability and strength. However, as humans, we face a challenge: our modern, sedentary lifestyles have “locked up” our bodies. We’ve stopped using our muscles, brain, and skeletal system to their full capacity. This disuse results in stiffness, weakness, and a loss of energy and mobility over time.
The Problem with Modern Movement
Unlike kangaroos, humans tend to move in only one plane of motion, neglecting the three-dimensional capabilities of our bodies. Over time, this limited movement, coupled with past injuries, creates patterns of compensation that further restrict our range of motion and strength. This cycle leads to a decrease in the flexibility of the spine, which is critical for functional strength, such as bending, lifting, and rotating.
Without a flexible spine and efficient brain-muscle connection, basic movements become harder, and the body grows weaker. The principle of “use it or lose it” becomes painfully evident.
The Kangaroo-Inspired Solution
N2Shape’s training approach focuses on retraining the brain to reconnect with the body. Just as a kangaroo’s movement depends on neurological recruitment, my methodology emphasizes waking up the brain’s ability to activate muscles effectively. This retraining involves:
1. Restoring Spinal Flexibility:
The spine is the center of movement. By improving its flexibility, clients regain the ability to bend, rotate, and lift safely and efficiently, mimicking the kangaroo’s powerful and dynamic movements.
2. Engaging the Three Planes of Motion:
Training involves movements that address all planes of motion—sagittal (forward and backward), frontal (side to side), and transverse (rotational). This ensures the body moves naturally and effectively, reducing stiffness and enhancing mobility.
3. Strengthening Skeletal Muscles:
Once the brain and spine are reconnected, the focus shifts to building strength in the skeletal muscles. This strength not only supports functional movement but also improves energy levels and overall vitality.
4. Incorporating Breathwork:
Breathing is essential for movement. By teaching proper breathing techniques, clients can stabilize their core, reduce pain, and support effective movement patterns.
Why It Works
This approach is unconventional, and some may find it unfamiliar. However, it is grounded in the understanding that strength, energy, and mobility come from a harmonious connection between the brain, muscles, and skeleton. By focusing on neurological recruitment and dynamic movement, clients regain what they’ve lost due to sedentary lifestyles or past injuries.
Training like a kangaroo means more than just getting stronger—it means unlocking the body’s full potential, regaining freedom of movement, and rediscovering energy. Just as kangaroos thrive with their efficient use of muscles and brain, so can we.
The Takeaway: Use it or lose it. Your body is designed to move, and through retraining the brain and embracing dynamic, three-dimensional movement, you can reclaim strength, flexibility, and vitality. This is the foundation of my methodology—a science-backed approach inspired by one of nature’s most remarkable movers.
