FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Animal Flow®?

Animal Flow is an innovative fitness program that combines quadrupedal and ground-based movement with elements from various bodyweight-training disciplines to create a fun, challenging workout emphasizing multi-planar, fluid movement. Animal Flow can be utilized as a stand-alone workout or as a group class format, and can be integrated into existing fitness routines by utilizing various components for dynamic warm-ups, interval training, circuit training, and skills building.

What comprises the program?

Animal Flow includes a wide range of exercises and movement combinations that are grouped into six components, each designed to elicit specific results. The six components can be mixed and matched in many ways, and you can incorporate one, some, or all of them in your workouts! The six components include:

Wrist Mobilizations include a range of simple exercises designed to increase the flexibility and strength of your wrists, which is particularly important for any practice where you are spending a lot of time on your hands.

Activations are static holds we perform to connect the body before we start our practice. Examples include: Static Beast Hold, Static Crab Hold, and Limb Lifts

Form Specific Stretches are full body stretches that start in an animal form and then move through a wide range of motion. This increases your mobility and flexibility throughout the entire body. Examples include the Ape Reach, Beast Reach, Crab Reach and Scorpion Reach.

Traveling Forms are exercises that mimic the movements of animals. You’ll start with the “ABCs” – Ape, Beast and Crab – to get you going on these full body conditioning moves. The traveling forms are essentially how we move like animals to improve the function of the human animal.

Switches and Transitions are dynamic movements that we perform one after the other, creating the “flow” of Animal Flow. You can transfer from one form to another, or repeat the same one as drill. Examples include the many variations for Underswitches, Side Kickthroughs, Front Kickthroughs, and Scorpions.

Flow: Your Flow is where the real magic happens. You’ll combine the Animal Flow moves by linking them together in a fluid sequence, seamlessly transferring energy from one move to the next. Flows may be a choreographed sequence practiced over multiple sessions, or may be created freestyle!

What type of results can I expect?

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels will realize significant benefits from Animal Flow including increased mobility, flexibility, stability, power, endurance, skill and neuromuscular communication.

Isn’t Animal Flow just like a lot of other programs?

Animal Flow draws upon many bodyweight training disciplines. You may recognize hand balancing in the static frogs; break dancing in the crocodile rolls; gymnastics in the rolling patterns; parkour training in the traveling apes; yoga like movements in the scorpion reaches. Martial artists, gymnasts, traceurs, b-boys, yogis – bodyweight athletes from all kinds of backgrounds all recognize part of their own training in Animal Flow movements. And putting movement into a “flow,” where the moves are linked in continuous flows of energy, is an age-old practice.

What makes Animal Flow unique is how these elements are synthesized in a new way. You’ll find that it certainly shares a basis with other movement-based programs, but that the technical details vary on the execution of the moves, and that many of our specific exercises are unique. We also take a different approach to teaching the format in a systematic, progressive way.

Where can I learn Animal Flow?

With our DVD, you can bring out your inner beast right in the comfort of your home – no equipment necessary. We offer step-by-step instructions for mastering the movements; then we’ll show you how to put it all together. You’ll soon be putting together your own creative combo moves in no time! Purchase now. You can also check out an Animal Flow class or find a Certified Animal Flow Instructor near you. Search directory now.

What are the Animal Flow workshops?

Our Animal Flow Workshops teach fitness professionals how to incorporate Animal Flow into their own training, and coaching practices. This includes personal trainers, group fitness instructors, physical education teachers, coaches, yoga instructors, MMA trainers, and even physical therapists. Completing the workshop is a requirement to become a Certified Animal Flow Instructor. Although only fitness professionals are eligible to become Certified Instructors, workshops are also open to fitness enthusiasts who just want to take their flow to the next level.

We now offer multiple levels of workshops, including the Level 1 Certification workshop, and the more advanced Level 2. More specialty workshops will be offered soon as well.

Animal Flow Level 1 is an intensive two-day workshop where you’ll master the moves, delve into the science behind Animal Flow, and learn how to effectively use the practice with your own clients. You’ll cover all 6 elements of Animal Flow, including the Traveling Forms (the “ABCs” of animal movements); Switches and Transitions; Wrist Mobility; Activations; Form Specific Stretches, and, of course, Flows. You’ll learn much more than just mastering the movements though – you’ll learn to better understand integrated movement and bodyweight training. Most importantly, you will learn how to move better, and the carry over will improve your performance (and your clients’ performance) no matter how you integrate Animal Flow into your training! See below for more details on program content.

Animal Flow Level 2 takes the practice to a higher level, by adding in new moves, incorporating hand balancing, learning more advanced flows, and exploring the effects of changes in tempo and duration. Prerequisite: Completion of Level 1.

Can I get Continuing Education Credits by taking an Animal Flow workshop?

Animal Flow Workshops are approved for CEUs/CPDs from the following accredited fitness associations:

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) – 1.0 CEU

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) – .9 CEU

UK by Skills Active – 10 CPD Points for REPs

You may also be able to petition your own certifying agency to accept the course if it isn’t listed here.

How long are the workshops?

Workshops take place over two days, usually (but not always) on a Saturday and Sunday. Each day, includes 5 hours, with a short break in the middle.

Are all workshops the same?

While we offer multiple levels of workshops, you can be assured that each course level is taught exactly the same, no matter where it takes place or which Master Instructor teaches it. Our Master Instructors undergo a long, rigorous training process before they begin teaching any of the Animal Flow workshops to ensure that every student experiences the same high-quality instruction and learns the same material. Learn more about our workshop levels.

Why should I become a Certified Animal Flow Instructor?

By becoming a Certified Animal Flow Instructor, you’ll join an elite family of fitness professionals who’ve demonstrated their ability to effectively incorporate Animal Flow into their individual or group training methods. Being certified requires much more than just mastering the program itself – you must also be able to successfully coach others. You’ll become proficient in the moves and understand how and why we use them. This will result in your ability to regress and progress each movement, and create and call out your own flows. Whether you use your training to offer an Animal Flow class, or incorporate it into personal training, or integrate it into a boot camp, you’ll be offering your clients a great fitness program. They’ll see results, have fun, and keep coming back!