The Passive Hang

The Passive Hang - Episode 34 - Rich Andoh - The Movement of Ideas

Rich Andoh (@rich__andoh) on the Passive Hang! Rich is a teacher based in Amsterdam, and leads the Amsterdam Movement Practice group (https://movementpractice.amsterdam). Rich was introduced to me by a good friend, and from the moment we started talking I knew this was going to be a treat. 

Rich is a thinker, one who also spends time practising how to communicate - the concept of the “movement of ideas". On his page you’ll see his recent practice of illustrating - which mirrors the way he also uses analogies to communicate concepts. This makes for an entertaining conversation, as Rich puts it - “Analogies make clear to someone who doesn’t have a reference.” A picture says 1000 words, and with analogies we can paint that picture. Perhaps this is what we need to embrace as a community - creating story, communicating narrative - analogies, metaphors… communication tools, to help others understand this riddle we call “movement”. Not just more static QDR photos (although I do enjoy them).

Rich shares his journey of how he got started in movement practice, to how is now leading the Amsterdam Movement Practice group. Rich is the craftsman, and he shares a lot of insight into both personal practice but how he runs a movement class.

Thanks Rich for jumping on the podcast. You can find him at https://movementpractice.amsterdam or @rich__andoh. Otherwise you can find him wherever good espresso is in Amsterdam.

The Passive Hang - Episode 33 - Antonio Torres - The Tao Way

Antonio Torres of the Tao Way (@torresjr.antonio) comes on the Passive Hang! 

I found Antonio via his amazing YouTube channel, The Tao Way. He shares a lot of great insight in training and teaching but manages to be at the same time very entertaining to watch and follow. Antonio is currently in Ohio, but is based in China, having lived there for 3 years. 

Antonio shares his story of studying under both the Ido Portal method and eastern practices such as Kungfu. Even at times going into a Kungfu school to train 8 hours a day, Antonio still managed to find time to fit in his handbalancing. I think all handbalancing romantics will agree - it’s hard to give up. 

Now Antonio is making the transition to teach movement online and in person full time. He shares part of how he approaches the teaching process, and interestingly, the process he takes from transitioning a subject matter from being a practitioner, to teacher. When are we ready to teach it? In the age of non-stop information and new tools available from an Instagram scroll, it was comforting to hear how Antonio dedicates himself to the actual practice and the time taken. Authentic stuff, and it shows on his videos - Antonio is trying to share good information, not just more information. 

You can find him @torresjr.antonio or https://taowaymove.com or search “The Tao Way” on Youtube.

The Passive Hang - Episode 32 - Mark Robberds -The Specialist Generalist

Mark Robberds (@markrobberds) joins the Passive Hang! Mark is a Yoga Teacher residing in India, but is normally based in Bali and his hometown is in Sydney, Australia. 

Mark sits between an interesting intersection, coming as a yoga “specialist” and now studying under Ido Portal, as well as exploring other methods such as FRC, MovNat, and handbalancing. 

We get into Mark’s perspective of adopting a generalist approach, and what the yoga specialisation can bring to the movement world - and what I was most interested in - the use of the breath. State regulation, and use within static and dynamic movements, inside training, outside of training. Mark does a wonderful job of giving a great introduction into these elements of breathwork practice. Having taught many students over 20 years, it was great to also get Mark’s perspective on teaching and tips on how to become a better teacher. 

Even though we were separated by a virtual meeting, I could feel Mark’s strength in connecting and being himself - a strong grounding nature to the way he communicated, honest in his view and with a playful curiosity which seems to be guiding him. I think this is what comes out from the content he also shares - provoking positive and critical discussion, but also showing playful parts of his process and practice. I appreciate that in our chat the content matched the man.

You can find him @markrobberds

The Passive Hang - Episode 31 - Daniel Lucchini, Pt 2 - Discoveries in Extremity

Daniel Lucchini (@meraki_performance) rejoins the Passive Hang! 

Daniel is preparing for a 24 hour run - covering the greatest distance he can in 24 hours, a week from now on the 6th of November. 

The run itself is a crazy feat - and I’ve been watching Daniel train in preparation, all the while still making progress with his handstands and strength. The other week he just unlocked Handstand Pushups - all the while running 100+ km in a week. 

I was keen to get insight into how Daniel manages his energy and resources. He shares his experience - one of intentional choices, mental toughness, but also very smart training. 

A common narrative is endurance and maximal strength do not go together - you either choose one, or the other. Another common fear is the zone of overtraining. It only takes one example of someone walking in the face of these narratives, to get you considering for yourself what may be true. 

Daniel is generously raising money for Beyond Blue as part of his run. You can either motivate him on by pledging to donate an amount $ per km, or a set amount. In this time of the world challenging everybody, I believe it is a beautiful act to do, and encourage you to take part. 

You can find Daniel @meraki_performance and you can donate on the link on his page, or here at https://linktr.ee/Meraki_performance.com

 

The Passive Hang - Episode 30 - Jozef Frucek, Fighting Monkey - Energy, Risk and Complexity

Episode…. 30! With the man from Fighting Monkey… Jozef Frucek (@fightingmonkey_rootlessroot). Jozef has to be one of the most interesting thinkers that I’ve had the pleasure to encounter. 

Having not had the pleasure of attending any FM workshops, I’ve always wondered - “what exactly is Fighting Monkey?”. I get to ask Jozef the question and many more. 

Jozef talks about energy in a way which is very unique - taking into account how it can change our behaviour and perception towards risk and appetite for transformation. 

We talk about many concepts including decision making, creativity and appreciating ourselves as complex systems. 

One of the pillars of the FM practice is communication, and it shows in how he can explain his ideas via personal stories, anecdotes and metaphors. It’s very entertaining and deep.

I hope you guys enjoy this one as much as I did.

Find them @fightingmonkey_rootlessroot or https://fightingmonkey.net

The Passive Hang - Episode 29 - Wil Brown - Physical Intelligence

Wil Brown (@wbrown7) on the Passive Hang! Wil is the founder of the London Movement Group, and also teaches online via www.figuringthingsout.com. I’ve been following his journey since he was travelling the world seeking guidance from teachers all over the world, and it’s been exciting to see his growth into becoming a teacher. 

We directly dive into his concept of “Physical Intelligence” and the subjective layer of experience we encounter in our life. This is a really interesting label for an idea I think a lot of us will innately align with. It also challenges our traditional thinking where intelligence is normally thought of as an intellectual, academic area. 

The London Movement Group has been running for 2 years now and I get the chance to ask Wil about the formation and how it’s run. For those looking to form their own local community, this episode will be great to listen to. Or even better - get in touch with Wil! 

You can find him @wbrown7 or @LondonMovementGroup

www.figuringthingsout.com

The Passive Hang - Episode 28 - Jason Round - Articulations of Movement

Jason Round (@movemoremp) on the Passive Hang! Jason is a teacher who resides in Bern, Switzerland. I was over the moon when he agreed to come on for a chat - Jason shares prolifically on his page, blog, youtube. These aren’t ordinary resources either - every time I see one - it’s either thought provoking, practice provoking, or worth telling someone. 

We go through many concepts that feature in his work - large and small frame mobility, proofing, lateral perspective, de-ambition, movement capacity and preparedness, transferability. 

More than anything though, Jason was just great to talk to. Apart from his movement practice, he has a great communication practice - writing, teaching, videos. I believe this is what we need to make movement more accessible to a wider audience. Not only practising what we preach, but practising the preach. We can only help others if we can find ways to talk to them. 

 

You can check him out @movemoremp and in the links below:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MoveMoreMP/videos

https://www.movemoremp.com

The Passive Hang - Episode 27 - Scott White, IFPhysio - Movement, Yoga and Pain

Scott White (@ifphysio) joins us on the Passive Hang! Scott is a yoga teacher, physiotherapist, although his approach to both may be different what you may think. On his page you can see the width and variety of his practice - loaded stretching, dynamic locomotion, rope levers and of course… great back bends.

This is a guy who is deep into yoga but hasn’t drunk the “koolaid” - he’s determined to creatively explore, challenge, investigate to his own end. And it makes sense, when we hear his story - plagued by chronic pelvic pain, unable to even walk, being let down by all the practitioners we believe to hold the “answers” - physiotherapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists etc… Scott had to find his own way. The answer… movement. 

We cover a lot in this episode, from the movement “anti yoga” sentiment to a practical framework to approaching pain, to why attaching ourselves to an anatomical model of the body may be dangerous. It got me thinking a lot about my practice and the way I guide others. 

Hope you guys enjoy, you can view Scott’s work at @ifphysio and www.innerfocusphysio.com.au 

The Passive Hang - Episode 26 - Anthony Tran - Illusion of Choice

Anthony Tran (@tr.ant) on the podcast! Anthony is a teacher who lives in Perth. I’ve been a long time admirer of Anthony’s work and practice, from his page you can see an excellent example of all these skills which are so desirable when you start your movement journey… all flowing into each other, one movement almost indiscernible to the next. There is a quality and an expressiveness which is very addictive to watch. 

Anthony shares his approach to groundwork - the practice of soft acrobatics, locomotion and floorwork. Concepts and approaches which are helpful to tackling these areas, and an explanation of he likes to teach them. I was most interested in finding out about his view on the hallowed “improvisation” - and it was great to hear Anthony speak honestly about how such an act is really an illusion - an illusion of freedom, of movement options, choice. Underneath sits years and years of practice, exploration, experimentation. We are what we practice. 

Anthony is also a strong believer in something I’m passionate about - sharing what you learn with others - helping others - but also helping you learn better. Being the student and the teacher helps you become a better practitioner. 

It was great to get Anthony on as I haven’t heard much of his story before - and I think many will enjoy. You can find him at @tr.ant or www.anthonytran.org 

The Passive Hang - Episode 25 - Jeni Steep - Searching for Exuberance

Jeni Steep on the podcast! Jeni (@jenimoves) runs the Movement Collective (@the_movement_collective) in Newcastle with Rod Cooper (@rodjcooper), an amazing facility that is bringing movement to the masses in a fun, approachable and exciting way. When I first went there I was amazed at the energy I felt from all the members and the space - it’s like a giant adult’s playground. 

 

When you go on her page you’ll see this amazingly flexible woman, most likely upside down in the splits. Jeni wasn’t always like this - and she shares her journey from a mining job, into becoming a movement teacher. It hasn’t always been glamorous, and I think that’s something common to a lot of us - although Instagram represents glamorous things, for the most part, we are covered in sweat, tears, and a lot of failed attempts. What you see can be the finished result, all smiles - but that betrays all the physical and emotional work that's been done. 

 

There’s a powerful lesson where Jeni reminds us to be excited of the things we achieve - getting that first muscle up, that first handstand hold, that first press - sometimes, when it feels like you are just ticking off “basics” - you can forget that these are actually huge milestones. We need to remember to celebrate these wins. 

 

You can find Jeni at www.movelaughlive.com or www.themovementcollective.net