Using Ginastica Natural for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training
Posted by Mike Calimbas on August 19, 2009
Ever heard of Ginastica Natural? This method, developed by Brazilian, Alvaro Romano, is a workout which influenced in large part by many of the same ground movements we see in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts.
This style has been gaining popular over the years. I remember seeing Ginastica movements for the first time in BJJ Master Rickson Gracie’s fight documentary Choke. In that film, Rickson can be seen performing a ginastica workout on a beach in Rio. At the time I had no idea what he was doing but now, I can see that this workout helps tremendously with BJJ. It allows muscles to memorize some the would-be rigorous movements we see as practicians of BJJ and grappling on a daily basis.
Ginastica Natural is all about keeping your body in constant motion by combining many different movements incorporated from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This can be considered a strength exercise because of the resistence one’s own body provides. It also incorporates flexibility and breathing techniques to help with cardiovascular conditioning as well.
Certainly a very unique and innovative way to keep your body & mind in tune with your techniques.
Watch the Andre Galvao video below for an example of Ginastica Natural being incorporated into a BJJ Workout. Galvao also gives a good explanation for why he does this and how it helps as well.
Casey Marissa Wu said
AWESOME!!!!
David McClung said
“very much like our monday warmup! very cool”
cookie189 said
good stuff, kind of bizzare looking at first, but after he explained the “mind needing to create movements” it all seemed pretty beneficial.