core strength

All the physical activity I've done up to this point has, surprisingly, never had me work on my core strength. At least not to this extent. Now that I'm seeing some results from core strengthening I'm discovering a whole new dimension to movement. I think it is our core that allows us to shift out central point of balance. Free-runners and gymnasts use the core, in concert with the rest of their body, to orient themselves favourably in space.
Most movement requires a solid point of contact to control our orientation and directions. In running our feet push us off the ground and move us forwards. Same with a jump. The physics is basic, we are used to having a stable point of propulsion, movement is the result of force exerted on a greater (more stable) mass. Most common movement requires a stable point. There are, however, irregular circumstances. On a parallel bar, or in free-fall, our usual methods of propulsion are largely unavailable. With no stable point we have to use our bodies to to orient ourselves by generating internal inertia. I believe the core is the source of this inertia. Probably a taken-for-granted fact for people training longer than I, but this is a interesting (and fun) resent discovery for me.

Oh, and jogging is coming along ok. Still need to build more endurance.