The state of being integrated means a state of perfection. A state where full awareness and perception is the default, whether in movement or rest.
An integrated body is perfectly aligned.
It is a state where the body, by default, rests in a perfect alignment. Hence, no matter the position or movement, spatially, the shoulder, hip, knees and ankle joints are aligned and track each other as needed.
Such an alignment is only possible when one has full control (or awareness) of deep postural (i.e. deep core) muscles. These muscles have the most impact on spinal and visceral stability.
Perfection in movement is the by-product without the constant need to chase it.
Any movement performed with an integrated body is an ultimate experience. Because one is able to recruit almost the whole of his body while doing so. The side effect of this is unparalleled efficiency and endurance
This is apparent to the observer through an overall air of virtuosity/ease exhibited in the execution of the movement. Even if end result is a miss or failure.
Real athletic potential is unleashed once integrated.
Maximum motor recruitment results in maximum strength and power output. A foundation that then can be worked upon through programming progressive overload. Doing it the other way around yields half-baked results.
Since the whole of the body is recruited for movement, the resultant stress is well distributed. This has a big impact on the recovery and the athlete can increase training frequency without risking long-term health.
Technique is not needed because one knows.
An integrated athlete needs no lesson on technique. Why?. Because the need for technique is replaced by the availability of a far superior skill: Knowing.
Knowing a skill or a movement implies having a deep, personal and a visceral understanding about it.
Technique is only in the head, knowing is in the body.
Technique can be confusing, knowing puts an end to all doubt and confusion.
Technique needs constant maintenance through memory and is susceptible to changes in environment, teaching, programming etc. Knowing can only mature over time and is immune to such factors that might affect technique.
"Sharpening one's knowing" and "Perfecting one's technique" are two different paths.
The athlete's actions on these separate paths may look similar in execution, but the intention behind the two are vastly different. Two similar athletes can have the exact same plan or program, but the results will be drastically different.
An integrated body cannot be limited.
When in such a state, limitations cannot exist. Because if they did, the alignment would have to give in certain positions, if not in all of them.
Further, the chances of incurring future injuries are lowered dramatically given one is:
- On a sensible training regimen planned around minimizing distraction from the main goal.
- Implementing the tenets of integrated movement.
Certain tenets will need to be internalized or realized.
One who is integrated, without fail, will be implementing the tenets mentioned below while executing movement patterns. They will almost come naturally to such an athlete.
One who is not must consider them while approaching their training. Implementing them is the only way to progress towards an integrated state
If one is dealing with certain limitations that they are training around, it will never put them on a path towards integration. Training through their limitations while gaining a deeper understanding would give them the best of both worlds.
Tenets of Integrated Movement
Having an understanding of movement mechanics is a first. The athlete must grasp the physics of the movement. At the very basic level, that means having clarity about the source(s) of force production, the medium of its transfer and the target(s).
Using high level and whole cues instead of isolated or cues for a segment of the movement. Having a number of isolated/ segmented cues for movement is akin to not doing the movement at all.
Isolated cueing would imply thinking. Thought is always in direct conflict with the ability to feel (next tenet). Where there is too much thinking, movement will always be restricted in its full expression.
- Use body awareness (active and conscious presence in the body) to feel the movements instead of just "going with the motion".