Repost of my original article published back in 2016 on my then blog “scopeoflife” that I started to migrate and integrate to Beyond Systems.

“Hydro- dynamic Locomotion”
Moving with ease using localized directed release instead of muscular contraction.
Basic principle and structural relevance

In summer 2008 I ‘ve been teaching a class of simple weight- shifting exercises in a larger than shoulder width stance with straight feet (inside edges parallel) to promote my students understanding of the concept and biomechanical aswell as biopsychological differences of initializing a movement through pulling- versus pushing with regard to the intended movement direction. But…  fortunately this class turned out to be quite different than previous ones with similar intent.

While explaining and performing more intricate aspects of how the two different patterns can be triggered I stumbled across a third option that did not require any muscular contraction at all. On the contrary, it was only possible to initiate it by a specific, as I call it today, “directed release” of the muscles of the selected extremity. This was the start of formulating an aspect of movement and locomotion that I had been using in very similar ways for almost 20 years within my practice of Chinese internal martial arts like Taiji Quan and Baguazhang (*) without ever having realized it was there, its possible applications or ever having had any substantial understanding of its inner working principles. All that changed in this previously mentioned class.

I realized that relaxation of muscles can also be described as a displacement of mass within the boundary of the physical body, or to be more precise within the muscle-fibres enveloping connective tissue compartments. My following experiments and research with myself and students of all kinds of body-types, age, gender and background led me to the formulation of what I call “Hydro- dynamic Locomotion”, a way of moving that is based on what undoubtedly is a basic far reaching principle within the body. This basic principle functionally links all physical, psychological and energetic aspects of ones being.

What is it?

The most common and logical approach to talk about movement is still to think of muscles that move bones, that again are somehow connected to all the other bodily structures. This is, although by now it is also common knowledge and result of numerous research that this simple approach to human movement is not sufficient to describe all biomechanical aspects, and that it is extremely important to add at the very least the functionality of fascia and bigger myofascial pathways of the body to the equation. It is actually this more holistic point of view that makes it possible to describe movement that happens purely due to relaxation of muscles without the moved extremity or body-part being in any sort of pre-stressed state.

Hydro- dynamic locomotion specifically describes the act of consciously initiating a relaxation pulse in such a way that the resulting tissue- and fluidic- displacement wave travels through the body as biomechanically relevant force, that is even strong enough to move the body. Thus this “hydraulic” effect is not just something that can substitute movement in an amplifying and tuning fashion, but that, with the proper release techniques and timing can stand as a completely separate and quite different motion trigger and executer than regular muscle- sinew- bone kinematic chains.

“Depending on the timing and type of release in relation to a certain body position it is possible to use this displacement to literally initiate a hydrodynamic pulse that can either stabilize or even move extremities and the whole body.”

A Natural Principle

There is no doubt that fluidic displacement waves play a major role in the way we move, erect and stabilize our structure and that they are part of our regular body functions. Especially when the body structure is well aligned those hydro-dynamic or fluid based aspects further increase the body’s efficiency. Hydro-dynamic locomotion is an increased, conscious way of using this fundamental principle.

What for?

Hydro- dynamic locomotion can be used deliberately to move with extreme ease and to learn about healthy body-alignment. It is even possible to use this method to increase ones strength and overall structural stability without any limitations to mobility. The amount of awareness necessary to properly perform a directed release brings a lot of positive side effects such as a strong calm and centered mind, the ability to consciously balance ones emotions and to feel well connected with one self.

Still, apart from special situations in which the enhancing factors can be used on a conscious basis, the main idea is to promote an overall healthy body function because as with all descriptions of different aspects of body movement and locomotion, it is just one part of many that have to work together for optimal health and sustained function.

Relevance in trauma assessment

Existing trauma of any sort creates turbulence and or areas of increased or diminished fluidic or hydraulic pressure that can potentially lead to further problems. In this regard hydro-dynamic principles are relevant in the assessment of localized aswell as non-localized traumatic phenomena and pain-response. (For example a painful shoulder or neck area although the injury originated in the counter-lateral knee etc.)

More about the effects of the internally triggered spread of hydrodynamic wave patterns in the body and their relevance for structural, metabolic, cardiac and psychological function will be available soon in more detailed papers on the subject. If you are interested in the subject also make sure to stay tuned on upcoming international workshops and training courses.

(*) Taiji and Bagua as mentioned above use similar but not the same principles. However, the type of body-movement and promoted body-structure within those disciplines (at least in some styles) facilitate hydrodynamic wave patterns and “fluid- compartmental alignment” of the body but the conscious, single application of the specific “directed release” techniques mentioned above is not customary nor would it make any sense except to enhance ones understanding of the different aspects that join together to create an almost perfect biomechanical and consciously linked movement. Meaning, knowledge and training of hydro-dynamic locomotion can be a great addition to one’s internal martial or healing arts training but should not be understood as a suggestion to solely use this method of locomotion for maximum effect.



© Beyond Systems/ Egwin Ertl-2016-2020