I’ve encountered so many different types of learners among my students. It’s profoundly exciting for me when they take charge of their training, and ask clearly for what they need (if they know what they need, that is). Today, we’re going to talk about the beauty of the micro-movement, and its ability to put the “BAM!” in your training.
Micro-movement – a very small additive training goal (straight arm, hips up, point left foot, etc).
Story Time
It’s no secret that there are MANY aspects of learning wheel that I’ve wrestled with. So much of the struggle has been determining how I learn. With silks, I saw it, I did it. I’m strong (thanks, genetics!), and had a dance background, so fabrics came easily to me. Wheel? Oh no. Not at all.
One day during a lesson, as Chris was giving me notes, I may or may not have gently lost my sh*t. I felt so completely overwhelmed and hopeless – it was too much. I started to cry (Chris loves it when that happens….), and blubbered/snotted/hiccuped out, “I need ONE thing. Please – I can’t do ALL the things!” And then, it clicked. We knew we had just found the thing that would reliably move my training forward.
Small Victories, Courtesy of Micro-Movements!
How It Works
- Pick a move that has you making deposits in the swear jar.
- Identify where it starts to go all to hell.
- Figure out the next tiny step. There is no step that is TOO tiny. It may mean going back to a basic skill that needs work (bent arm hang, for example), or identifying an area where you need more strength.
- Do the move again, trying to add in your micro-movement. Don’t try to go beyond your micro-movement, that wasn’t the goal!
- Do it again. Again. And AGAIN. Is it starting to feel easy? Perfect! Rinse, repeat. Time for another step!
- If you cannot complete the micro-movement in five or six tries, it may be a tad ambitious. Break it down further, or re-evaluate whether this move is even something you should be attempting yet. (ex: until you have an in-air inversion, working in-air hip key may be frustrating).
This technique has COMPLETELY changed my training. Completely. I’m learning faster, and having considerably more success. Some of you may work better tackling a move all at once, but for those of us who need more of a feeling of control and focus? Give it a go! Love and pull-ups, Laura
Psssst…. Here’s another way to break it down!
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