MAINE'IAC PRIMITIVE MOVEMENT

Philosophy

Primitive Movement is an “evolutionary fitness” method that progressively re-aligns the body, mind and spirit.   Through a limitless variety of movements — preferably performed outdoors  — we rediscover what our bodies were designed to do, and create a blueprint for exuberant, lifelong health.  Primitive Movement training adapts core elements of French physical educator Georges Hebert’s foundational work, “La Methode Naturelle,” with founder Brandon Sewall’s rugged Maine upbringing, athletic training and love for the natural environment.

Fast forward to 2013, a number of influential voices are shaping an evolutionary fitness and “ancestral health” movement.  They include neuroscientist Frank Forenchich (“Exuberant Animal”),  author Arthur De Vany (“The New Evolution Diet”), and Movnat founder Erwan LeCorre.   The movement also has ties to “Paleo” nutrition (aka The Caveman Diet or the Original Diet) practices, and authors including Loren Cordain (“The Paleo Diet), Robb Wolf and Mark Sisson.

 

 

Georges Hebert & La Methode Naturelle 

“The true Natural Method, in its broadest sense, … is a physical, virile and moral synthesis. It resides not only in the muscles and the breath, but above all in the “energy” which is used, the will which directs it and the feeling which guides it.”  Georges Hebert. 

George Hebert’s “La Methode Naturelle” prescribes exercise outdoors in mother natures complex environment.  Through a limitless variety of movements the muscles reach hypertrophy, and in so doing we simultaneously release endorphins and adrenaline to create both strong, proportionate, skillful bodies and a positive mental outlook.  Hébert (4/27/1875 – 8/2/1957) traveled the world as a mariner and became intrigued by the agility and immaculate bodies of  various indigenous peoples.  He noticed how swiftly they roamed the landscape with no education but their natural instincts … their “practice” was simply their daily routines and village chores.

Hébert was also inspired by the ships he sailed on, by the physicality of his work as a seafarer, and by the range of objects including masts, ropes and anchors that became a basis for the spectacular obstacle courses he designed for his students.  From WW1 through WW2, Hebert’s “Natural Method” became a standard for French military training.  Expressed  as “virility,” Hebert’s system developed energy, willpower, courage, and firmness  through performance of the 10 essential movements, often under difficult or even dangerous circumstances.

“The final goal of physical education is to make strong beings. In the purely physical sense, the Natural Method promotes the qualities of organic resistance, muscularity and speed, towards being able to walk, run, jump, quadruped, to climb, to walk in balance, to throw, lift, defend yourself and to swim.“ (Georges Hebert).

Hebert also stressed the benefits of exercise for women. He wrote numerous books and papers about the Natural Method, but his work “Muscle and Plastic Beauty”, released in 1921, went against the grain.  He stated physical inactivity among women shouldn’t be the norm, and would encourage women to participate in the Natural Method.  “Women could develop self-confidence, will-power and athletic ability just as well as their male counterparts.”  

Here’s a list of founding “Principles and Fundamental Rules of the Natural Method.  (Note, this is a literal translation from the original French):

1.) the continuity of work 2.) work by contrary alternation of effort 3.) gradation of intensity of work 4.) initial Rust removal and final appeasing (Becoming centered and satisfied) 5.) proportioning of the quantity of work, and individualization of this proportioning 6.) adjustment of pace 8.) adjustments of the durations 9.) flexibility of work 10.) correct attitude and full breathing 11.) freedom supplements action of each participant, even in collective work 12.) work timed by the stopwatch 13.) improvement of technical execution 14.) research and correction of the weak points 15.) work in a state of naturalness/nudity. Hardening with the bad weather 16.) free demonstrations of joy to be encouraged. To sing and to cry 17.) virilization. or the cultivation of energy…18.) moralization or the cultivation of noble feelings 19.) emulation We continue to research the work and lasting influence of Hebert’s work.  Check blog posts tagged “Hebert” for updates.

 

More About Hebert:

http://parkourpedia.com/about/hebertism-methode-naturelle/georges-hebert-history

http://dictionary.sensagent.com/GEORGES%20HEBERT/en-en/