Erwan Le Corre, a French American born on September 10, 1971, is the founder and innovator of a physical education system and lifestyle known as MovNat, which derives from the French words "mouvement naturel" ("natural movement").
Early life and training
Erwan Le Corre grew up in the French village of
Étréchy, and later at
Épinay-sur-Orge
Épinay-sur-Orge (, literally ''Épinay on Orge'') is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France.
It is situated near Orly Airport some south of Paris on the A6 motorway. Épinay is served by two stations on dif ...
, both south of Paris. As a child he spent his free time outdoors exploring and playing in the fields and woods around his village. At age 18, Le Corre received a
black belt in
Karate
(; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ) is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tii'' in Okinawan) under the ...
. Starting at age 19 he did
parkour-like training for 7 years with the Parisian stuntman Don Jean Habrey. Habrey called his discipline "Combat Vital." During this period he also began barefoot running. At age 27, he began a period of training which included sailing, Olympic weightlifting, rock climbing, long distance triathlon, trail running and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Development of a system of natural movement
In 2004 Erwan Le Corre started researching the physical training method of the French naval officer
Georges Hébert
Georges Hébert (27 April 1875 – 2 August 1957) was a pioneering physical educator in the French military who developed a system of physical education and training known as "la méthode naturelle" ("Natural Method") and a more wide training pr ...
. The training developed by Hébert is known as "la méthode naturelle" ("natural method"). In 2008 Le Corre formally began his physical education system and lifestyle known as MovNat and began teaching it in weekend workshops and weeklong outdoor retreats.
MovNat
According to Le Corre, MovNat is "a school of physical competency entirely based on natural movement, which includes the locomotive skills of walking, running, balancing, crawling, jumping, climbing and swimming, the manipulative skills of lifting, carrying, throwing and catching, and the defensive skills of striking and grappling, and that the most important principles of natural movement are practicality and adaptability."
Regarding the difference between Hébert's "méthode naturelle" and Le Corre's MovNat, Le Corre has said that "the main difference resides in the coaching system, which has been updated. It is more elaborate and efficient in MovNat.... MovNat's philosophy is formulated to better fit with today using modern forms of communication, for instance video and the Internet."
Static apnea training
Starting in the year 2020, Le Corre began training in the discipline of prolonged breath-holding, known as
static apnea. The practical use for prolonged breath-holding is for
freediving
Freediving, free-diving, free diving, breath-hold diving, or skin diving is a form of underwater diving that relies on breath-holding until resurfacing rather than the use of breathing apparatus such as scuba gear.
Besides the limits of breath-h ...
. In 2021, Le Corre performed a breath-hold for 6 minutes, 46 seconds, while he was face-down in a pool. His breath-hold was verified by the United States Freediving Federation, who listed the duration of Le Corre's static apnea breath-hold as being a new US national record.
Personal life
Erwan Le Corre became a United States citizen via naturalization. He is married and has three children. His wife Jessika grew up in New Mexico. Le Corre was based near
Santa Fe,
New Mexico
)
, population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano)
, seat = Santa Fe
, LargestCity = Albuquerque
, LargestMetro = Tiguex
, OfficialLang = None
, Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...
during the 2010s.
Publications
In 2019 Erwan Le Corre released his first book entitled ''The Practice of Natural Movement: Reclaim Power, Health and Freedom.'' Le Corre's book has also been translated into German. and Polish
See also
*
Functional training Functional training is a classification of exercise which involves training the body for the activities performed in daily life.
Origins
Functional training has its origins in rehabilitation. Physical and occupational therapists and chiropracto ...
*
Barefoot running
*
Fitness trail
A fitness trail, trim trail or parcourse consists of a path or course with outdoor exercise equipment or obstacles installed along its length for exercising the human body to promote good health. The course is designed to promote physical f ...
*
Green exercise Green exercise refers to physical exercise undertaken in natural environments. Physical exercise is well known to provide physical and psychological health benefits. There is also good evidence that viewing, being in, and interacting with natural ...
*
Street workout
Street workouts are a physical activity performed in outdoor parks or public facilities. The movement behind street workouts became popular in Russia, Israel, Myanmar, Morocco, Eastern Europe, and the United States, especially in New York City, Lo ...
*
History of physical training and fitness
Physical training has been present in human societies throughout history. Usually, it was performed for the purposes of preparing for physical competition or display, improving physical, emotional and mental health, and looking attractive. It ...
References
Sources
* Angel, Julie (2016). ''Breaking the Jump: The Secret Story of Parkour's High Flying Rebellion'', Arum Press.
* Durant, John (2013). ''The Paleo Manifesto: Ancient Wisdom for Lifelong Health'', Harmony Books (Random House).
*
McDougall, Christopher (2015). ''Natural Born Heroes: How A Daring Band of Misfits Mastered the Lost Secrets of Strength and Endurance'', Vintage.
Further reading
* Bowman, Katy (2014). ''Move Your DNA: Restore Your Health Through Natural Movement'', Propriometrics Press.
External links
Erwan Le Corre biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Le Corre, Erwan
1971 births
Living people
American exercise instructors
People from Essonne
Physical exercise
Outdoor education
American freedivers