Discover Mixed Movement: Everything You Need to Know

Mixed movement exercise refers to workouts that blend various movement disciplines, such as yoga, martial arts, animal or primal movements, and gymnastics, into a single session. These classes often emphasize a combination of strength, flexibility, and coordination, promoting a holistic approach to fitness. 

At MoveWell, we are big fans of this approach. Taking the best aspects from different disciplines to get something that really works for you. Often these styles of Movement Training can be tailored to fit a certain amount of time and require minimal equipment. Perfect for home Exercise sessions or working out whilst you travel.  Mixed Movement tends to incorporate multiplanar movement - moving in multiple directions. These can carryover into other sports and activities and benefit our ability to move, developing both our skills and capacity. On top of all that, and perhaps most importantly of all it is often as enjoyable as it is effective, a fusion of all the ‘best’ bits.

Key aspects of mixed movement exercise:

• Integration of disciplines
  Combine elements from different movement styles, rather than focusing on a single one. 

• Holistic approach
  Aims to improve overall fitness, including strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. 

• Dynamic and adaptable
  Mixed movement workouts often encourage exploration of movement patterns, promoting adaptability and fluidity and fun.

• Emphasis on quality of movement
  Focus is  on the quality of movement execution, encouraging efficient and controlled movements and building of skills.

• Potential for increased body awareness
  Can enhance body awareness and connection to movement. 

Examples of mixed movement classes:

• Power Yoga & Mixed Movement:
  Combines Power Yoga with elements of animal movements, martial arts, and energy medicine. 

• Functional Fitness (eg Crossfit)
  Often incorporates mixed movement, including cyclical, weightlifting, and gymnastics movements. 

• Specialist classes
  Classes like Animal Flow or Primal Movement and Capoeira can also be considered mixed movement. 

What do I need?

Often just a mat (and possibly a streaming device). Checkout some examples from MoveWell affiliates Jack (@jack.salamvmt) / Paul (@buildrituals) for more