Westender JulAug 2019 Magazine

www.westendermagazine.com | 27
Everything old seems to be new again, as millions of people have started to
embrace the diet, exercise and habits of our ancient Cro-Magnon ancestors.
Perhaps all the technology we have and the onset of artificial intelligence are
just a bit scary, and we’re retreating into our Neolithic corner.
Whatever the case, there is a great deal of evidence that a diet without
processed foods is healthier. And hunter gatherers who spent very little time
sitting, probably had much lower cholesterol levels than their present day
counterparts.
If you’re wondering how you can explore the possible benefits of a
primitive lifestyle in the West End of Glasgow, there actually may be more
opportunities than you realise…
Kerry Murdoch, an Active Lifestyle
instructor, teaches a new class at The
University of Glasgow called ‘Animal
Flow’. It’s probably unlike any exercise class
you have ever seen!
The participants perform quadrupedal
movements using the hands and feet for
balance.
The weight of your own body provides the
resistance as you perform moves with names
like ‘beast’, ‘ape’ and ‘crab’.
In contemporary times, our hands rarely
touch the ground. But in Animal Flow, the
hands are used for almost every movement,
giving the upper body an excellent workout.
If you’re imagining an ape scampering across
the floor however, think again. It’s more of a
meditative movement, with slow, deliberate
moves which are almost balletic. It can be
beautiful to watch as the body morphs from
one position into another.
Though it’s physically demanding (which
might be the whole point of a workout in the
first place) the movements themselves can be
simplified to allow beginners to develop their
strength and flexibility.
Though Animal Flow has been compared
to yoga, it’s actually quite different. Instead of
static poses, the body is in almost constant
motion. And the participants do not use
mats, since the sequence of choreographed
movements can run in all different directions
with the entire floor being used!
The Animal Flow classes just launched
at The Stevenson Building on campus. They
are one-hour sessions which run in 5-week
blocks.
To learn more about the classes, visit the
University of Glasgow website at:
gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/sport/whatson/
learn2/animal
Another ancient activity that’s becoming
increasingly popular is tribal drumming.
The drum certainly has to be one of
the oldest instruments on Earth, and in
indigenous cultures it has been used for
welcoming visitors, celebrations at harvest
time, and even as a means to reach higher
states of consciousness in shamanic
ceremonies.
But it’s not just for the ancients.
Contemporary doctors and researchers have
conducted studies which show that there are
health benefits to drumming, as well as social
connectedness.
Dr. Barry Quinn, Ph.D. and clinical
psychologist, states that drumming sessions
can dramatically reduce stress, and may also
lower blood pressure.
The Glasgow Drum Circle meets every
Wednesday night in the heart of the West End
at Wellington Church. This welcoming group
is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers
who believe in the many positive benefits of
drumming.
Emma, one of the trustees of Glasgow
Drum Circle, and a drummer herself, says
that it’s almost like a meditative state when
focussing on the patterns of the rhythm.
And fellow trustee Shae, notes the
connectedness and community that the drum
circle provides when several people are all
coming together in rhythm and sound.