Fascial Toning: Tightening the Connective Tissue

Loose or Tight? The answer to this question is decided at the connective tissue level. In this course, a targeted Fascial Training will focus on the network of the abdominal and back and the midsection: abdomen, buttocks and pelvic floor. As well as the legs and arms. Fascial Toning will make you moves freely, resilient and powerful and supple, and in addition improved your body contour.

Fascia, the three-dimensional body-wide network of muscular connective tissues, is the organ of movement, structure and form. A well-toned  body is not only due to its muscular architecture but  is also strongly influenced by the resilience of the collagenous fibres within and around the muscles. If these collagenous tissues are strong and set in a healthy lattice-like arrangement, then our muscles can be lean, strong  and  show a clear definition. The opposite is also true: if the fascial wrapping around the thigh, for example, is weak and wobbly, then the thigh loses tonus and is prone to developing cellulites.  Therefore, in order to maintain and gain a beautiful, well-defined body shape, we need to focus on a specific fascia-oriented  training that strengthens and tonifies the collagenous fibers.

Good news for those with soft and weak connective tissues, women suffering from cellulite, hypermobiles and  for all better agers: Divo Müller in collaboration with Robert Schleip PhD has developed a specific training called Fascial Toning.

Here the seven most essential fascial chains are toned and strengthened optimally in a whole-body workout.

Each chain is trained in a series of exercises according to these four power principles: > sensory refinement > rebound elasticity  > muscular toning > fluid rehydration

This is the formula for success for a firm body contour. These four principles are combined in exercises to strengthen the seven major fascia lines and thus the whole body.You can look forward to its benefits like a beautiful body shape with lean and well-defined muscles.

You can look forward to its benefits like a beautiful body shape with lean and well-defined muscles.

Healthy joints are protected by a strong three-dimensional fascial network. Subtle and elegant movements, as well as a powerful elasticity and youthful vitality.

How can I get a supple collagenous tissue?

The motto here is: “What does not move will get stuck”.  However, there are genetically different types of tissues. In my classes, I distinguish between the strong, but mostly immobile “Viking type” and the (hyper) mobile, but tend to be unstable “Temple Dancer Type”. The classic Viking type is mostly made up of rugged and strong connective tissues. However, the fibre network is prone to tangles and bonds. This then goes at the expense of mobility and flexibility which gets worse with aging.

And what should make the temple dancers?

This type is very articulated, they can bend their legs effortlessly. We can find them in most ballet or yoga classes. However, the high flexibility is at the expense of stability. This can lead to lower back pain or wear of the hip joints, since the capsular and ligamentous structures virtually “wear out”. Here, a targeted strengthening of the fascia is needed.

Is Fascial Fitness suitable for everyone?

Because of these two very different types of connective tissues, we recommend a tailored exercise according to their needs. Long chain stretching, as traditionally practiced in yoga, is recommended for the rigid and immovable Vikings. In addition, the stretch should be fascially charged, for example, via mini suspension. Best combined with resistance or by means of a weight. For this tissue type, the melting stretch is quite effective to restore the suppleness of the tissues. However, for the inherently mobile temple dancer type, it is not advisable to extensively practicing the yoga-type stretching. This type of connective tissue can benefit from pulses which render the fascia to be strong and resilient. Exercises that include elastic suspension. We also realize the aspect of the final grade for flexible stretching  and rather weak collagen structures replaced by the element of muscular tonicity. Here, the fascial sheath is strengthened by the muscle around the short end. The fabric istighter!

Simply: The Vikings need a bit of temple dancers for its fascia and vice versa the temple dancers need a bit of Vikings.

Divo Müller is a pioneer in innovative movement programs, author of several books, numerous articles and DVDs. As a core member of an international group of sport scientists, fitness coaches and movement therapists, around the Fascia Research Group Germany, and Robert Schleip PhD, she translates the new findings of fascia research into a specific training for the connective tissue called  Fascial Fitness. Her latest creation is  a specific training to tonify fascia, called Fascial Toning. As a highly respected presenter Divo expanded the reach of FF all over Europe, as well as in the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

For more information on Fascial Toning Workshop in Sydney, Australia in October 2016, visit here.

Schedule:

22-23 October 2016