Rubber Mulch Surfaces for Methode Naturelle Training
Methode Naturelle
The principle of Methode Naturelle was conceived by Georges Hébert, a French Navy commander. Spending most of his time aboard ships, he admired the seamen who had to work with ropes—moving with the ropes as the ship rocked with the waves. In his many travels, he met natives in various far-flung islands. He observed that these natives moved according to the environment they lived in. He began to develop a type of physical education that aimed to teach people how they can move efficiently through their environment. And thus, Methode Naturelle (or, Natural Method) was born.
Hébert was quoted describing his technique as “a methodical, progressive, and uninterrupted action, from childhood to adulthood, to assure the entire physical appearance; to augment organic resistance; to emphasize aptitude on all types of natural and useful exercises is necessary; to develop energy and all other qualities of action or virility; finally to target all your physical and virile knowledge to a predominant moral idea: ALTRUISM!”
Eventually, Hébert shortened his description into “être fort pour être utile” (to be strong is to be useful).
Not long after, the French army and other combat units around the world recognized the value of training with Methode Naturelle, to better prepare soldiers physically and mentally.
The basics
Hébert divided Methode Naturelle into 10 basic movements: walking, running, jumping, quadrupedal movement, climbing, balancing, throwing, lifting, defending, and swimming.
When combined, these movements allow the practitioner to flow through his environment.
Injury-free training
Training for Methode Naturelle maybe called something else, depending on the training program your unit undergoes. However, there are certainly elements of Methode Naturelle infused in most courses you take.
Ideally, Methode Naturelle is practiced with no equipment—just with whatever natural obstacle there is in the vicinity. However, to excel in the Natural Method, one must first excel in all 10 skills that it comprises. Rubber mulch surface, which is increasingly becoming available across 50 states, provides a safe conditioning environment that protects you from impact-related injuries. Moreover, this eases you into training barefoot—something that you should gradually progress into.
