Head Coach Fergus Dullaghan introduces the SWIFT Academy Geneva
What is the SWIFT Academy?
The Swiss International Fight Team (SWIFT) is a movement and martial arts academy based in Geneva. What makes us different is our philosophy, teaching quality and the fact that our courses are in English.
What will you be teaching?
We will be starting with movement and fitness classes for adults in January 2020 and we are hoping to begin introducing martial arts (starting with judo) in September for juniors and seniors. In terms of movement we will specifically be teaching Natural Movement (MovNat) and Ginastica Natural.
What are Ginastica Natural and MovNat?
Both Ginastica Natural and MovNat are incredible ‘fitness’ systems that promote strength, endurance, flexibility and mobility. They are also closely aligned to our values and historically connected to the martial arts.
Firstly, Ginastica Natural is a mixture of hatha yoga, jiu jitsu and capoeira. But it has evolved into something very unique. There is a focus on breathing, mobility and movement flow. In this sense it has many of the benefits of yoga, but it also helps develop the strength and cardio needed in martial arts. It was founded in Brazil by jiu jitsu black belt and physical education specialist Alvaro Romano. It has since picked up a large following there, particularly among the jiu jitsu and MMA communities after being popularised by jiu jitsu legend Rickson Gracie. Globally, it is recognised as a core part of the ‘jiu jitsu lifestyle’
Ginastica Natural was also famously used to help rehabilitate Brazilian football legend Ronaldo following an injury prior to the 2002 football world cup. Because Alvero was a well known surfer, it is also widely practiced by competitive surfers and snow sports enthusiasts around the world. These days its fastest growth is probably among physios in the US who are using it for its injury prevention and rehab properties.
MovNat is very different. Tracing its roots back to the French military and ‘La Methode Naturelle of Georges Hébert’, MovNat is heavily focused on developing practical, real-world fitness. For older people this may mean getting up and down off the floor to play with their grand children. For obstacle course racers it may mean being able to get over a high wall, for firemen it might mean being able to carry people.
The teaching methodology is highly systematic and scalable, so anyone can participate, regardless of fitness levels. The system is built on evolutionary movements, crawling, walking, running, jumping, lifting and carrying, throwing and catching and swimming. Striking and grappling are also part of the system (which is the link back to martial arts).
Thanks to the involvement of Katy Bowman, it is being rapidly taken up by movement enthusiasts from a pilates and yoga background. UFC champion Carlos Conduit’s involvement has encouraged martial artists like me to look at it seriously and other early adopters are military, rescue services, parkour runners, barefoot runners and rock climbers among others.
Because it aims at creating well-balanced, holistic fitness and movement abilities, MovNat can be adopted by almost anyone, whether to enhance their movement skills or to round-off their sports specific training.
One of the great things about both these systems is that they can both be practiced in a natural environment, which gets you outdoors and into nature. But that said you can practice it indoors or in an urban setting (with MovNat) just as effectively from a physical standpoint.
How do people sign up?
Just contact us with the contact form and I’ll be happy to help you!