Brian Rose, the host of the London Real show, has created yet a fascinating documentary. The previous one was about Dorian Yates was called “Inside the shadow“. This documentary is about the Israeli Ido Portal. It talks about the passion of exploring all kinds of different movements, mind & body connection as well as the movement culture and its philosophy. A very inspiring and thought-provoking documentary, that is highly recommended. However, as with most information you will come across (on this page or otherwise), take it with a grain of salt, be inspired, try it, absorb what is useful, disregard what is useless/does not work for you and add what is uniquely yours.
- Ido Portal’s teaching reached a wide audience after he was recruited as “movement coach” in 2015 for Conor McGregor, the Irish professional mixed martial artist and boxer. After McGregor tore his ACL, he started looking at training through a new lens. He discarded more-conventional workouts and studied footage of predators hunting their prey. From Portal, he learned a lot about how important balance is and how important control of the body is.
- Portal has developed a physical fitness practice utilizing the practitioner’s own body-weight and movements, rather than external weights and machines, to develop strength, agility and flexibility. The Ido Portal method is based on the concept of self-dominance. The practitioners are encouraged to master their own body in free movement, often inverted or crawling on the ground, before engaging in other sports. Over the years, Portal has practiced boxing, jiu jitsu, and yoga, learned from parkourists, gymnasts, dancers, and osteopaths. All the while, reading voraciously about speed and coordination. However, perhaps the method is mostly inspired by Capoeira, which Portal practiced for 15 years before developing his own technique. This exploring of practices and blending of styles and techniques bear resemblance to Bruce Lee’s approach to martial arts.
- Some of Portal’s modifications to the Capoeira movements include touching the ground with the butt and back, which is not usually considered good technique in Capoeira. Different videos and photographs of Ido Portal appeared in the middle of 2000s. Those clips showed him flowing on the floor like liquid, flipping and hand-balancing. The Portal method is being used by people, who are calling themselves movers and is centered on “Movement culture“.
- Portal wants to cultivate Shoshin. Shoshin is a word from Zen Buddhism meaning “beginner’s mind.” It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would.
- Dare to abandon what you are good at, and embrace what you find challenging (“what you suck at“).
- CrossFit is physically hard, but Portal’s method is physically challenging, intellectually challenging and challenges your ego.
- At the heart of the movement culture is an emphasis on play. Animals and kids play as they navigate the world, but as adults we channel this instinct in futile or destructive directions.
- Developing a love of movement in any form of mind & body connection.
- Recommended minimum effective dose (MED): daily squats and hanging (the human form of cat stretches). Squats for increased mobility in ankles and hips, and strengthen the lower back. More natural resting position than sitting. Hang to stretch the body as in today’s society we barely get to properly stretch our bodies due to the massive amount of time spent sitting.
- Move because you can. Get to know your body, what it can do and explore its potential. Respect the body you are given, learn as much about it as possible and use it.
- The movement culture is about having a place, a context, someone to practice with, a community to support you, keep pushing you to develop further. Nothing more.
- Where fear resides that is where the growth is. Less fear and more awareness of perception may be better for modern society.
- We are the sum of the stories we tell ourselves.
What the YouTube video called “Just Move” which is a documentary about Ido Portal and his movement, created by Brian Rose of London Real. It used to be hosted on London Real channel, however since it is no longer available there, follow the link to watch it through another channel.
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