REAL STORIES by REAL PEOPLE
A collection of articles on various POSE and other running related topics written by and/or about Pose Method Certified Coaches and Pose Runners of all levels.
POSETECH.COM (USA)
February, 2006
The Science of Pose
by Lynn McFadden
"The Science of Pose" the first conference of its kind, was an opportunity to assess, and discuss Pose in the realm of science. As such, it was also a harbinger of Pose's arrival at a pivotal point in the evolution of a theory. Reaching this point has also presented a very interesting historical perspective and in light of this, I'd like to recognize and honor Dr. Romanov and some of the people who have supported him on his amazing journey, which began over thirty years ago.
I would like to extend thanks to the Romanov family for the warm reception they gave the coaches in their home on the opening night. It was special and memorable to spend the evening with them and a wonderful way to kick off the auspicious event.
The conference itself was extremely enlightening. Dr. Romanov never fails to inspire and challenge us intellectually with his unwavering pursuit of knowledge and his unique gift of sharing it with his coaches and colleagues. He outdid himself yet again opening our eyes to new ways of viewing things, and captivating us with new data and information that current scientific research on Pose is revealing. We were humbled and reminded once more that the learning process is endless and of the importance of always keeping an open and inquiring mind. Although the conference was attended this year by coaches, those who have supported the Pose theory along the way were also responsible for our gathering, and I feel they were there in spirit. This is especially true of the scientists.
Kudos and much appreciation to Connie for all her efforts in making the conference come together, and for the valuable information and guidance she offered the coaches. Her presentations on certification and guidelines were a valuable step toward moving toward a better understanding of how to work together to move forward. The conference's outstanding success was due in no small part to her momentum, organizational skills and perseverance.
A wonderful addition to the conference roster was Mike Collins who giave a presentation on cadence and Pose. Mike more than lived up to a stellar reputation, which preceded him, and demonstrated mastery, passion, and talent as an educator, and as an athlete. He came well prepared with his own well thought out material, and also shared with us a virtual "library" of educational and entertaining running videos and pictures. Mike's readiness to dive in and work to address and resolve issues on the spot (like getting us to define our terms), and to run a local 5k on a moment's notice (which he finished just short of winning the overall title) were testimony to his continual application of the Pose philosophy in his own life. He has since followed up with a lot of work that he submitted post-conference, which also furthered our cause of working together. Thanks, Mike for all your contributions, and readiness to keep moving forward.
The underlying theme of the conference was: "Where we are and where we are going". This made me start thinking about the “We” of Pose and who “we” are. One definition could be: A group of people who made a choice to learn about and pursue a theory on running technique, and put its principles into practice, rather than reject it categorically because of a collectively accepted and proliferated belief that there was nothing to teach or learn. This group has grown into thousands of people worldwide and is growing daily.
“Running is just natural” is what and how the “Conspiracy Group " had us all believing. "Everyone has "his or her own Natural form.” "Just run Natural". There was the sense that if you weren't a "Natural" there wasn't much hope for you. So as a matter of pride, we all pretended to know what "Running Natural" meant. It was what we most wanted to do, but in actuality the terms were never defined and no one actually knew. No one could actually reproduce or explain what running natural meant. "We” - Pose Runners - are a select few who investigated and put into practice a theory, which was the first conceptual approach to teaching and learning running technique ever. In a bizarre twist, distancing ourselves from the “Just run natural” “conspiracy group”, and following one man’s concept, is the very act that led us to the definition of what it actually means to “Run Natural”.
Aligning ourselves with the first conceptual approach to teaching and learning running technique, and sharing a commitment to it’s unifying concept of gravity’s role as the dominant force in running, as manifested through our body weight, “We” have all contributed to getting to this point in the history of Pose. So, as the paradigm shifts, here’s to all of Nicholas’ friends and family who supported him and helped get Pose to this stage.
I thought it fitting, as we commence a new year, that we are celebrating 3 (the magic number) major milestones: the 30th anniversary of Pose; the first Coaches Conference: The Science of Pose; and Pose’s official entry into triathlon in 2006-2007. With all my excitement over this, I wanted to recognize and salute those who have been there along the way. I can only speak from my perspective, - I’m sure Nicholas and Svetlana would want to expand this list - but I would like to mention some of the people who I know have contributed in very significant ways to the development of Dr. Romanov's Pose theory.
The Romanov family, Svetlana, Marianna, Lana, Severin, and Nicky, are the first I would like to recognize and thank for all their support and for all the work they've done and continue to do on a daily basis furthering the development of Pose. Pose would not be where it is today without their exceptional skills and capabilities. It has been wonderful to see Severin grow into such an articulate writer who is so informed on running technique, and to see Lana's ever-expanding talents multiply as well. Both of them have done amazing work on the web site and in many other arenas as well. Svetlana of course, keeps it all together and has been an integral influence in managing and guiding the development of Pose. We have her and all the Romanov children to thank for being Dr. R’s inspiration.
Andre Pianzin was the first of Nicholas's students to take the baton in the academic arena and run with it by continuing to work with the Pose theory in Russia. Now the Dean of the School of Physical Culture at the Pedagogic University of Cheboksary, he was recently awarded a multiple PH.D in Moscow for his Pose related research and has published several books. Andre and Dr. Romanov have worked together for many years, and are still tirelessly collaborating on Dr. Romanov's next book. Andre is also an artist and did most of the drawings for the first Pose book and the drill books. He is very knowledgeable in many aspects of Pose and a wealth of information on strength exercises and training programs. He is also a “can-do” Pose disciple - a former competitive high jumper, he is now also a very “natural” runner. He can also do one-legged squats, which never ceases to impress me. Andre should probably be named the first honorary level IV coach.
The other PH.D awarded this year was to Graham Fletcher. He and Nicholas have been working together for a long time, and the ramifications of their work will be felt soon. I know Nicholas and he have been working long and hard on some very interesting research and congratulate him and thank him for all his hard work.
Connie also published a thesis on Pose for her Master's degree, and although I cannot name them all, there are more scientists around the world who are basing their dissertations on Pose.
No discussion of the growth of Pose would be complete without praising the writers who, early on and along the way, wrote about the new paradigm. Among the first of those in the U.S to write about and describe Nicholas's theory and his teaching, were Jim Woodman, the former editor/publisher of Florida Sports, and John Robson, also a writer and editor for the magazine, and co-author of the book, "The Pose Method of Running". Since then, countless articles and documents have been written, but I think it is important to recognize these two journalists as unflinching pioneers in their fields who helped bring attention to the existence of the theory. John has written many articles on Pose since and is currently working with Nicholas on future publications.
I couldn't close without a mention of all the athletes and coaches who passionately embraced the theory and set about applying it to their own running over the years. There are elite as well as age-group athletes, too numerous to name, from all over the world, who have very seriously committed themselves to running Pose and have helped in it's development.
Surely there are more people who could be singled out as individuals who stood by the principles of Pose and against the "conventional wisdom", such as Nicholas’ dear teacher, Professor Balsevich in Russia. Although the theory’s journey began over thirty years ago with Dr. Romanov, however long anyone of us has been on it, and attempted to apply the Pose principles to their own practice, we have all made history by being part of, and contributing in some way to bringing about this moment in time, which we can mark with the Coaches Conference: "The Science of Pose", as the paradigm shift in running. What started out as one man’s thought 30 years ago, has taken it's place in the realm of Science through the thoughts, desires and actions of Dr. Romanov and the Pose community he helped create.
So here's to a better future for running and human movement since the advent of Pose and to thirty years well spent getting "Us" here. Congratulations and thanks to all of you for your contributions and involvement in the "We" of Pose, and its ongoing development.
Sincerely,
Lynn McFadden
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