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The Functional Patterns Method

What is good movement?

Human movement is something only a few do well. The difference between an average person and a world class athlete is in how they are able to propel their body through space.

There are many factors that influence a person’s ability to move their body. These can include genetics, environment, diet, and development to name a few. Obviously, every body is different and not equal to each other. There are, however, common fundamentals that are applicable to all human beings.

By reverse engineering the movement patterns of great athletes like Usain Bolt and Floyd Mayweather, Functional Patterns CEO Naudi Aguilar has developed a method to train anyone, regardless of size, age or gender. The sequence of movement can be simplified to learn the basic concept and then gradually made more difficult. This same practice applies to other modalities such as throwing or striking.

To the average person, this may not seem complicated or relevant. However, these are the functions that have been most important for our species survival and locomotion. Attaining mastery of these functions is what allows a human to navigate the environment and handle life’s challenges. If one can stand upright without pain, walk efficiently, sprint at max speed and throw properly, they will have improved their quality of life. Furthermore, good execution of these movements, along with sunshine, clean food and water are what allows the body to rest and the cells to regenerate.

Being able to move pain free is something that is often taken for granted. There are many people who are in chronic pain and are unable to complete basic tasks. If your occupation or hobby requires you to use your body, then it makes sense to invest in its longevity. It would be counter productive to drive a vehicle with a bent chassis and flat tires. Yet there are countless people who are damaging themselves through their every day actions. The aim of this training is to build resilient humans who can continue to contribute to society.

If you are interested in learning more, check out the official website. The 10 Week Online Course is an excellent resource to learn the basics of these movements. Additionally, book in a tailored session to begin your journey to upgrade your biomechanics.

Biomechanics Training Process

1. Assessment

Before any imbalances can be addressed, they must be identified. Photos are taken of the resting posture of the client from all angles (Front, Back, Left and Right Sides). The photos are then analysed by comparison to an anatomically correct “ideal” posture, looking for dysfunctional curves in the spine such as Scoliosis (side bend), Kyphosis (rounded upper back), Lordosis (excessive lower back curve) and many more. Additionally, the gait cycle (walking/running) of the client is recorded to observe these dysfunctions in motion. This provides a point of reference to begin correcting the posture and movement of the client.

2. Myofascial Release

The imbalances previously identified are the result of adhesions or “blockages” in the body’s fascia. Fascia is the soft tissue that surrounds every cell in the body. It consists mostly of collagen, which is in turn is made up of water. The fascial network is what allows muscles to slide over each other for easy movement. It operates in lines of tension (similar to the rigging of yacht) that pull on the muscles which in turn pull on the bones. Put simply, the fascia shapes the skeleton. Over time, these adhesions will become dehydrated leading to bone malformations and a host of associated problems.

The aim of this part of the process is to remove those adhesions. This cannot be done by stretching, as that does not apply pressure directly to the tissue. Through a combination of self myofascial release and targeted massage, the blockages can be disrupted and rehydrated, allowing for a remodelling of the soft tissue.

To learn more about fascia and other valuable concepts, check out Body Mechanics Instagram and Youtube pages.

3. Corrective Exercise

As the body becomes more mobile through myofascial release, new pathways can be implemented in the body. The aim here is to build tension in the body in such a way that it maintains its integrity at rest. This involves inducing a trauma response in the soft tissue to overcome the trauma that created the dysfunction in the first place. For example, if the client has a sedentary occupation, they are likely to have tight hip flexors. This will often result in the pelvis tilting out of alignment causing lower back pain. To overcome this, tension must be generated from the ground up to pull the pelvis into neutral and relieve the muscles of the back.

This is where Functional Patterns sets itself apart from the rest of the industry. By working towards a blueprint of optimal human movement, and with great precision, the body can be positioned into a new reality. One that remains even after the session is completed.

4. Dynamic Movement

The purpose of Functional Paterns is the to prepare the client for realistic full body rotational movements that take place in three dimensions. These large motions consist of many smaller motions which come together to form a single action. In the case of throwing (which can include punching, kicking or jumping to name a few), there is an element of explosiveness that must be sequenced to execute correctly. These movements are broken down into simpler ones, in order to imprint the basic concepts. As these become natural and easy, the complexity is increased. The end result is improved athletic ability and injury prevention.

The most interesting aspect of this, however, is the transferability of one exercise to another. There is a positive feedback loop where improving punching mechanics will improve running mechanics, and vice versa. Furthermore, if the gait cycle is optimised, simply walking will assist in maintaining muscle mass. This is due to the same sequences of small motions being continuously reinforced.

5. Evaluation

As the client progresses in their training, the same photos and videos as in the Assessment are taken, to compare progress. Changes in body structure and movement patterns are observed and the training plan is adjusted.

Correcting biomechanics is an ongoing process. There is always something that can be optimised further, even for professional athletes. However, living pain free in a well hydrated and symmetrical body is an achievable goal for most people. For the more complicated cases, continuous improvement is a step in the right direction.

Human movement is nuanced and not yet completely understood. Functional Patterns is creating the blueprint by addressing more variables than any other system. As the techniques become even more refined, so do the clients physiques.