By Alex Schenker, MovNat Master Trainer
From time to time, we all find ourselves stepping over and across various obstacles in our path, especially when we’re in nature.
While this fundamental gait technique may seem rudimentary for bipedal creatures who usually learn to walk at a very young age, it can be difficult and even dangerous under certain environmental conditions (e.g. slippery, unstable, or steep conditions; or even unknown Legos lurking in dark corridors). When conditions are less-than-ideal, your technique and movement efficiency can make the difference between safely traversing an obstacle and getting injured. And over a lifetime of various gait activities, using efficient movement will help reduce wear and tear on your body from poor movement and positioning.
Apart from the practical benefits of being able to get from Point A to Point B safely and expediently, the many Stepping Over & Across Gait Variations provide a number of physiological benefits, too, such as hip and ankle flexibility, spinal stabilization, and lower body strength, just to name a few.
So, don’t overlook the value of these simple movements and the drills to improve them. There is much to be explored, and usually, improved here. And there are many ways to increase the challenge of these basic skills through increasing Volume, Intensity, and Complexity.
Follow along with this video, and give it a shot yourself.
Thank you for reading! I hope this tutorial inspires you to integrate this wonderful skill into your Natural Movement and mobility training.
If you have the chance to try it out, or if you can think of variations, progressions, or practical applications that I didn’t mention, please leave a comment and let us know what you think!
Note: Click here to check out the Stepping Under and Through tutorial by Alex.
About the Author
Alex Schenker is a MovNat Master Trainer, Martial Arts Instructor, Movement Therapist, and the creator of Natural Mobility. His approach emphasizes restoring and maintaining the natural state of our human bodies, reconnecting with the evolutionary movement aptitudes of our species, as well as stimulating our own natural healing capabilities through corrective exercise. Alex coaches people privately, and teaches regular weekly MovNat & Combatives classes in Toronto, Canada. Follow him on Instagram: @naturalmobility.
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