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FOUNDATION

Strength, Power & Endurance

Strength, Power and Endurance are the hallmark traits of a warrior, athlete, or any hard-living individual. Develop these traits in the ratios desired for your personal objectives and goals.
Strength - the generation of force against progressive resistance. Power - the dynamic and ballistic projection of force. Endurance - the ability to sustain workloads for extended periods of time.
During your training journey at IMMA, you will gain an understanding of the energy systems of your body - Alactic/Creatine Phosphate, Glycolytic, Aerobic, and AMPK (AMP (Adenosine monophosphate) activated kinase - aka myokinase) - and how they impact your training plans in the balance of the three core attributes. You will learn about real "cardio" and how to properly implement interval training. And then we collectively tune them for the desired outcomes of your training. This approach is how you learn to train smartly, to achieve maximum results in shorter timelines, while staying fresh and building health. The development of these attributes is the objective - not the tools or techniques employed. There are multiple methods available to build these foundational attributes - and we will work with you to discover which approach is optimal for you.

Mobility

There is healthy debate, and in some cases dogmatic viewpoints, on usage of the term "mobility" in the strength and fitness industry. The ability to move through a functional range of motion with control, strength and power is what we consider mobility at IMMA.
Further, we believe that mobility, strength and power should be holistically trained and not siloed, and that they are interdependent and complementary to each other. A large variety of tools, techniques, exercises and drills are employed to simultaneously develop mobility/flexibility and strength.
Michael is certified as a Flexible Steel and Indian Clubs instructor

FUNCTION

Attributes & Skills
Many strength, conditioning and movement systems grew from ancient warrior classes and cultures. Acknowledging this legacy and the fact that movement, martial arts and combatives are inextricably linked - there is a set of attributes and skills that are key to your development within the IMMA philosophy and system. Neural stimulation and re-grooving, proprioceptive awareness, and deep adaptive balance - these are core attributes and skills that foster growth across all domains of practice and enables growth as a more complete human being. Unique exercises and drills, multiplanar rotational movements, and dynamic full-body complexes propel your growth in the acquisition of these attributes and skills.
Tension < > Relaxation
Learn to modulate your movements via regulation of tension and relaxation. This is a monumental skill to achieve. This balance between tension and relaxation is perpetual, even if we are unaware it exists. Most systems/schools and individuals will ascribe to a training philosophy focusing on either tension or relaxation. And in those cases where both tension and relaxation are acknowledged, a clear bias towards one or the other is apparent. At IMMA you will deeply explore tension and relaxation. You will achieve the ability to apply either or both at will, at the correct balance and dosage, in any scenario or type of movement. Even better, you will do this at need, without deliberate or conscious thought. You will intrinsically understand phrases such as: "Strength is a skill" "Tension equals strength" "Selective tension" "Less tension. More power." At a deep physiological level - i.e. nerve signals, muscle fibers and cells - the ability to generate greater power and speed is directly related to the muscle's ability to relax faster and more fully. You can enhance this relaxation with focused training - which is exactly what we do - thereby gaining power and speed.

FLOW

Precision
As you collect and elevate these attributes and skills, you begin to move with precision. Less effort is expended. Refinement of motion is perpetual. Deceptive power is unleashed. You discover your capabilities are organically transferrable to any/all movement patterns. Your skills are deeply rooted as evidence of the replacement of your operating system becomes apparent.
Flow State
Flow state identifies an altered state of consciousness, often depicted in Asian martial arts traditions that ascribe to Taoist or Zen principles as "no mind" (mushin in Japanese). It indicates operating at a heightened level of awareness and performance where movement is effortless and happens of its own accord. Precision and Flow often manifest together, and this is certainly the intent of our training system at IMMA - and we specifically train to achieve this state, so that you may "access the flow" at need. Any martial artist - or anyone from any walk of life - who has entered the Flow State will forever after long to return and reside there.