Primal Primer 21 (Fitness)
Homo sapien’s central nervous system (CNS) development is product of millions of years of evolution. shaped by survival drive: pressures of environments, needs of resource, and the need to breed collectively contributed to this amazing wet-ware network.
Natural Selection – Over time, early hominids with more efficient nervous systems (better sensory processing, faster reflexes, & greater brain capacity) were more likely to survive and pass genes, leading to gradual refinement of the CNS.
Brain Expansion – The human brain, particularly the Neocortex (responsible for complex thought and decision making), expanded significantly due to progressive overload and performance demand. Larger and more neural dense brains helped early humans develop strategies for hunting and combat, enabling them to process sensory information (sounds, smells, sight) and respond more effectively to dangers and opportunities.
Hunting & Combat
Improved Sensory Perception – Early humans needed sharp vision, keen hearing, and heightened smell to detect prey and predators. The CNS developed to process these inputs quickly, which is crucial in making split second decisions during hunts and confrontations.
Coordination & Motor Control – Hunting and combat requires precise muscle control for throwing spears, using tools, or climbing. The CNS develops in concert, motor coordination with fine motor skills to manage complex movements required for life forward tasks.
Fight & Flight Response – The CNS evolved mechanisms for dealing with immediate threats through the fight or flight response. When early humans encountered danger, the autonomic nervous system triggers a rush of adrenalin, speeding up heart rate, respiration, and preparing muscles for action.
Heightened Reflexes – Fast reflexes governed by the spinal cord and brainstem, are critical for surviving in dangerous environments. Reflexively dodging a predators attack, or hurling a true targeted spear in the heat of the hunt requires rapid CNS processing and muscle response.
Connect With Movement & Seek Balance
Connect in with your movement and seek balance. The central nervous system (CNS) controls 5 senses along with movement. Can you stand on a single foot? Can you get off the floor without using your hands? Can you walk a balance beam? Are hand stands or cartwheels an option? Or more practically, can you protect yourself from injury by safely catching yourself in a slip? We don ‘t contend that ancient cave people were cartwheeling around the savanna in search of mushrooms, but abilities to coordinate the body to move in however and whenever you want is an important instinct to keep sharp.
~Cave Implementation~
Challenge your body’s ability to move, balance, and flow. In antiquity, movement demarcated surviving or end of life. Central nervous system activation provides exceptional adaptations to proprioception (mind body connection tracking body position in time and space), and is a fun pre-hab centered practice keeping the body in tune with moving as the brain requests. CNS based movement and realignment serves as warm up, cool down or if sufficiently challenging, an entire workout.
Challenge Your Body’s Ability To Move, Balance, & Flow.
