Daily Maestroism

DM #51

Wednesday, July 13th, 2016

DM #51: As babies we first learn how to stand up, not how to squat down. Why does this matter? Because if you are an adult who struggles to squat, you need to relearn the pattern that same way, from the ground up, not from the top down.

The problem with simply having someone try to perform a squat is that they are starting at the top (position with the most postural demands), and then trying to descend to the bottom (less postural demands). To that end, in order to improve our squatting, we need to better set ourselves up for success. From a developmental perspective, the best way to do this is with bottom up training. And I don't mean the Lil Jon kind of bottom up training.
A high step up places the lower extremity in the same position that it would be in if you were in the bottom of the squat. Don't believe me? Go and give it a try. Training this position will help ready both the nervous system and the tissues as you progress towards working on that squat. I don't advocate immediately jumping into super high step ups, but simply getting into that position (foot up on a high step with the weight shifted over the foot), and loading the lower extremity is a great place to start.

By doing this you are performing bottom up training. You're starting at the bottom of the position and then working towards the top.
When we squat there are lots of moving parts, lots of postural demands, lots of new things for the nervous system to be scared of. Work it from the other way around, make the nervous system feel safe, and you'll be on your way to Gainesville.

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