Ginastica Natural

About me:

- What is Ginastica Natuaral?

Ginástica Natural combines the techniques of stretching, flexibility and respiration of hatha-yoga, the ground movements of jiu-jitsu, and the natural movements of the human body. Idealized by Alvaro Romano, it is a revolutionary method of physical conditioning that has an objective of developing physical qualities associated with motor and mental skills. Romano elaborated a methodology for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students.
Originally Ginástica Natural was intended to be practiced outdoors, however today it is a complete method. Alvaro Romano developed an adequate system that allows Ginástica Natural to be practiced in gyms. There is also a licensing for instructors to administer the classes.
Unlike what seems to suggest a creative nomenclature of movements - monkey, spider, tiger, eagle, etc. - Ginástica Natural does not consist of imitating animals. The names of the positions are merely an illustration, referring to the similarities to some animals. It deals with a gymnastic of movements that are analized and tested by Alvaro Romano before applying them in the classes.
These positions help develop diverse physical qualities such as strength, flexibility, rhythm, balance, motor coordination, and muscular resistance. Exercises that use animal movements have always existed, that is why Alvaro sought to develop a different method.
Based on the body expression classes that he had attended, primarily, on intuition, creativity and discipline, Alvaro decided to criate something new, which combined all his experiences with physical activities. The classes last about an hour and are practiced wearing comfortable clothes, aside from knee pads, to the sound of new age and techno.


- Origin of Ginastica Natural

In 1976 Alvaro Romano met Rolls Gracie, his jiu-jitsu master, a martial art of great influence in his work and fundamental importance in his personal life as athlete and professor. In the early 80's he came into contact with hatha-yoga and classes of body expression with movements from kempo. From that point on Alvaro began to research other eastern techniques and natural methods of the past.
Later he also studied the movements of primitive men and animals, utilizing his experiences as an athlete of jiu-jitsu, judo, surfing, and triathlon. He spent years studying and adapting the ground movements to a training of strength. Alvaro would train almost 6 hours a day developing new combinations of movements, boased on research and analysis of muscular groups. This training is well documented in his archive of personal videos. And so was Ginástica Natural


- Who is Alvaro Romano?

Idealizing and introducing the method of Ginástica Natural in Brazil and the United States, Álvaro Romano is a a post-graduate in the areas of Physical Education and Recreation, author of the book "Ginastica Natural" (Press, 1977) and of the videos "Ginastica Natural" 1, 2, and 3 in Brazil and 3 videos of the series "Natural Workout" in the U.S. He is also present in the anthology "Uma anthologia sobre atividades fisicas" (editora Midiograf, 1977).
Throughout the years, Romano was responsible for the physical preparation of athletes in different sports such as jiu-jitsu, vale tudu, surfing, body boarding, and soccer. Currently he coordinates the implementation of the Ginástica Natural franchise in the main gyms in Brazil through his business, Ginastica Natural Consultoria e Eventos Ltda. Aside from this, he gives lectures at businesses about quality of life,health, and how to increase awareness of ones body, and he gives seminars and courses in the main events in Brazil and abroad. Today, Natural Gymnastics is a patented trademark present in over 150 courses all over the world.
The history of Ginástica Natural is directly related to the life of Alvaro Romano. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1956, Romano grew up in an environment where climbing trees, playing soccer in the streets, and hopping fences were kids favorite pastime. In 1968, living near Arpoador beach, he began surfing, playing beach soccer and practicing capoeira. Later he met Rolls Gracie and attained the black belt in jiu-jitsu. He was in the Gama Filho University judo team, and he practiced in triathlons.
Accustomed to outdoor activities, when Alvaro Romano entered the physical education program at Gama Filho University in 1977, he began developing a method of gymnastics which incorporated these exercises as a form of training. It was a natural process of professionalizing of the activities that he had always practiced. What was in the beginning an idea of humanizing physical exercises, transformed itself into an elaborate method.
In 1978 he pioneered gymnastic classes on the beach. Soon after he started surfing and body boarding schools. It was in 1981, after Alvaro had contact with yoga and other eastern techniques, that Ginástica Natural began to take shape. Combining these influences, the ground movement of jiu-jitsu, and the study of ancient natural techniques, he developed his own method. Romanowas invited to give a seminar and demonstrations of Ginástica Natural in the "Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic", considered the biggest sports event in the world. Alvaro is the living proof of the benefits of Ginástica Natural

Álvaro Romano intends to provide his professional expertise by means of a certification course during which he will personally teach his sports technique called, method “Ginástica Natural” recognized worldwide as being his creation. Professor Romano will certify , from then on will be qualified to teach Ginástica Natural to students of all levels, in clubs, gymnasiums, studios and sports facilities. Certifying courses will only be ministered by Professor Romano himself or a Master Trainer member of his group previously appointed by him in writing. The same applies to classes during conventions, sports events. Characteristics The certifying course will include: - training module level 1 - training module level 2 - training module level 3 Each training module will last 1 week Each module will be organized as follows: one week training module level 1 after which both parties will agree on a date for a module level 2 and module level 3. There will be an interval of no more than 1 month between each training module.The instructor may complete the 3 modules in 1 years or less, according to Professor Romano’s evaluation.

CHECK THE FIGHTWORKS PODCAST WITH ALVARO ROMANO: http://www.thefightworkspodcast.com/podcasts/fightworkspodcastepisode78.mp3

GINASTICA NATURAL FOR FIGHTERS - VOL.1 (DVD)
AVAILABLE NOW! WWW.GINASTICANATURAL.COM

GINASTICA NATURAL - MOVEMENTS


GINASTICA NATURAL - ADCC 2007

GINASTICA NATURAL - TESTIMONIALS
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