Frequently asked questions

Biomechanics is the science of movement in relation to biological organisms. The study of human biomechanics allows us to identify trends that are correlated to peak athletic performance, by observing the best movers on the planet we develop the insight into what is needed to move at that level.

What sets us apart is the application of techniques that alter a persons biomechanical tendencies to be more like that of an elite athlete.

Fascia is the biological fabric that holds us together, the connective tissue network. You are about 70 trillion cells — neurons, muscle cells, epithelia — all humming in relative harmony; fascia is the 3D spider web of fibrous, gluey, and Fasciawet proteins that binds them together in their proper placement.

‘Fascia’ has many designations for different areas, topologies, and histologies within our biological fabric. Traditionally, ‘fascia’ as a medical term applies only to certain dissectible bits of fabric within the body. Thoracolumbar fascia, the fascia lata, the pannicular fascia, the fascia profundis – these are recognized by science to be fascial sheets.

Here, though, and increasingly in scientific and research circles and professionals worldwide, ‘fascia’ has a wider definition: all the collagenous-based soft-tissues in the body, including the cells that create and maintain that network of extra-cellular matrix (ECM). Answering the question “what is fascia?” with this new definition includes all the tissues traditionally designated as ‘fascia’ in classical anatomy, plus all the other very similar tissues arrayed in different ways around the body; tendons, ligaments, bursae, and all the tissue in and around the muscles – endomysium, perimysium, epimysium. They are all made out of largely the same stuff and created in such the same way.

Also included would be the fascia around the organs: the coelomic bags that hold the organs in the peritoneum and mesentery in your abdominal cavity, the mediastinum, pericardium, and pleura that hold the organs in the chest cavity, and the membranes – dura and pia and perineuria – that surround the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

-Thomas Myers, Anatomy Trains

Red light therapy is an effective tool that helps address pain, injuries, scarring, inflammation and more.

Red light works via a process called photobiomodulation, where our cells actually respond and are stimulated by different wavelengths of light.

The wavelengths of red light therapy work by stimulating the mitochondria, better known as the “powerhouse of the cell” and prompting it to create energy.

With more cellular energy and new cell growth, the body can repair and regenerate. This is why red light therapy is seen to repair skin scarring (acne scarring, surgery scars etc.), reduce pain and inflammation, increase recovery after sessions and even promote hair growth.

Sweating is a natural process that has great health benefits including aiding the body in the detoxification of heavy metals, environmental chemicals and other toxins that would otherwise store in the body.

But how often do you sweat? People live sedentary lives, exercise less, are outside less and would rather sit in comfortable climates with the air-con on than move around outside.

Sweating and infrared sauna help to improve blood flow and circulation, reduce inflammation, increase immune health, boost energy, and promote a good night’s sleep.

After a workout, it can be beneficial to wind down with an infrared sauna, as it’s been shown that this improves recovery after exercise.

In short, yes. Injuries are one of the most common factors that drive poor biomechanics as our body seeks to compensate around the injury in order to minimise pain and inflammation. This is all well and good whilst we heal but long after the injury has healed the biomechanical compensations remain.

By correcting your biomechanics with Functional Patterns protocols we are getting to the root of what caused the injury to start with and correcting the compensatory patterns caused by the injury.

When you perform exercises in respect to the patterns and sequences found in running, throwing and walking, the outcome is functionality without the pains and strains.

Yes. By understanding the first principles of human function (standing, walking, running and throwing) we understand that there are a hierarchy of needs when it comes to how we move. The further from these fundamental movements we stray the more likely we are to compensate with over eating, coffee consumption, poor sleep routines and alcohol.

It is important to take a long term approach to weight loss and repairing your metabolism. With our biomechanics specialist and functional nutrition coach in your corner we can guide you toward this goal. Health is multifactorial and our goal is to help you understand all aspects of that so that you can keep the weight off, and consistently feel great every day.

The best results we see come from those that adhere to our protocols 100%. Initially you will be taking a leap of faith (so to speak) as it is a new way of going about training, however, in no time you will understand enough to make the conclusion yourself that this way of training and living is optimal for people.

Another reason we ask clients to put aside any previous training routines and certain sporting activities is that you need to give your body time to adapt to the new stimulus. If the goal is to rebalance your tissues, and attack the root causes of your chronic pain then we need to cease the activities that are potentially causing it or at the least exacerbating the issues.

This doesn’t mean that we need to become couch potatoes, simply that the tools we provide will be enough, and will build the foundations to train without pain, build strength, muscle and overall fitness.

This is a difficult question to answer but is probably one of the most common one asked.

We live in a culture of instant gratification and we apply the push of a button mentality to all aspects of our lives, including health. We have become conditioned to expect a quick fix pill for every physical ailment we have.

If only life were that easy. The irony is that it is actually easy to be healthy and to maintain it. What IS difficult is that our priorities and values don’t necessarily align with health and longevity.

For those willing to take on our protocols and focus their efforts and time around repairing themselves the results come relatively quick. We provide the tools for you to do this, and as a result empowering you to take charge of your own health.

The ideal frequency of training we recommend is 2x one hour sessions per week, spaced 2 or 3 days apart, and at a minimum we recommend training once per week.

It is important to view training from the lens of “how is this preparing me for everyday life?”. Most of us train with the goal of building fitness, strength, weight loss and to build muscle. All of these goals are great, that is also our goal. What differs is how we get there.

Each training session should be viewed as an opportunity to correct something in your body. Because we aim to execute corrective and dynamic exercises precisely our training is really a matter of quality over quantity, 1 perfect repetition is better than 10 poor repetitions.

We recommend practicing what you learn in each session at home or the gym, with a focus on being as precise as possible. Remember, we are trying to change the way you move, so in reality every step you take is an opportunity to practice what you’ve learnt. You’ll be surprised with how quick things change when you are thinking about it throughout the day.

‘Everybody draws the assumption that flexibility is a good thing when it comes to alleviating muscle tightness and joint discomfort.

The human body doesn’t just magically figure out how to move in space when you implement a stretch. This is especially true as it relates to muscular function. In order for a muscle to be programmed in motion, it needs to have the capacity to initiate a contraction. When muscles move together in sync, the body moves. But when muscles are overstretched, they contract less effectively, fuelling the tightness people feel all over their body. In other words, lengthening muscles with stretching protocols doesn't make you move better. In fact, even the science has stated as much! While stretching might feel good, aside from the pleasurable sensations, it doesn't actually enhance movement or reduce injuries as previously thought.’ - Naudi Aguilar

Refined grains have been linked to higher levels of inflammatory markers. Inflammation is an important process that the immune system utilises to promote healing, however, if the body is continuously being inflamed and the immune system is constantly working, it makes healing a very difficult process, instead leading to further damage and degeneration.

In our experience grains cause bloating (even mild) which impacts deep core tension and compromises the stability of the spine, having a negative effect on your biomechanics.

We have had fantastic results with clients who listen to our protocols and cut out grains and other inflammatory compounds from their diets.