Structure and Exploration in Movement Practice

This conversation between Craig Constantine and Patrick Oancia revolves around the importance of structure and exploration in movement practices. They discuss the concept of balancing structure and chaos to create a practice that offers both a foundation and room for individual exploration. Patrick shares his experience in developing Baseworks and how it combines structure with the opportunity for multiple possibilities. They also touch upon the significance of finding deep connections and the value of building relationships within communities. Patrick made reference to Steven Kotler’s work with flow state and Alan Watts insights to describe the qualities of skill building and widening perception.

The conversation went into the notion of embracing multiple methods and perspectives in movement practices. Patrick reflects on his experience with strict yoga teachings and how, despite the advice to stick to one method, he pursued different approaches simultaneously. Craig and Patrick discuss the value of exploring various methods, as it allows individuals to gain a broader understanding and depth of perception and qualities of transformation, as described by Laozi. They acknowledge that everyone’s journey is unique, and by embracing multiple perspectives, one can find what resonates with them personally.

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Also explored in the conversation is the role of community and deep connections. Craig and Patrick emphasize the value of finding like-minded individuals with a passion for movement and personal growth. They highlight the importance of creating meaningful connections and relationships within communities, as it provides support, inspiration, and opportunities for collaboration. They recognize that a single deep connection can be more valuable than a multitude of superficial ones.

This content was initially released on the Movers Mindset members platform on April 9, 2020. Subsequently, Craig Constantine deactivated the platform and initiated the development of a new public podcast platform, where this episode was reposted for the general audience on June 15, 2023.

For show notes, quotes, takeaways, and the audio version of this podcast, visit the episode page.

About Patrick:

Since the late 1980s, he has been dedicated to practicing martial arts, yoga, and meditation, alongside pursuing his athletic endeavors. As the culmination of his lifelong pursuits, he developed the Baseworks Method (present-day), which endeavors to enhance body awareness, strength, flexibility, and movement control as the fundamental elements for augmenting perceptual and physical intelligence. He consistently refines the curriculum of this method, conducts seminars worldwide, and collaborates with artists, scientists, movement practitioners, and educators to bridge the gap between physical movement practice, research, the creative arts, and psychology.

See Patrick’s full bio here.

About Craig:

Craig’s mission is to create better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. At 40, Craig discovered Parkour and began relearning how to play. Finding himself in countless conversations about movement, he began podcasting in 2017 to share what he was experiencing.

Then things got out of hand. He has helped thousands of people learn to create podcasts through coaching and community, has been on dozens of podcasts as a guest, and has published over 1,000 episodes for his own shows, including more than 300 conversations.

To learn more about Craig’s mission, visit Open and Curious or visit his personal site.