"Fifteen men on the dead man's chest, Yo, ho, ho, and a bottle of rum."

"We're working out like pirates, now!" says the captain of the...uh...er..training studio! We did indeed. Coach Hurst put me through a rigorous workout using club bells, and rings. We worked on compensatory movements, emphasizing the deltoids, lats, triceps, biceps, pecs, core, glutes, quads....wait....Let's just say that everything was worked! I laughed when Coach Hurst made the pirate comment, and then it REALLY made sense to me. The image and words that come to mind when I think 'pirate' are burly, gritty, gutsy, and adventurous. Oh..and I'll throw in the image of Johnny Depp (just for fun!)
Anyway, burly, gritty, gutsy, and adventurous...PERFECT description for this workout! What I am realizing is that the importance of integrating compensatory movements into a workout is sooo essential to balancing the body. I mean..it IS balance! Far too often have I seen one, or two major muscle groups "worked" rigorously. I've done it many times myself. Now, I see how this all leads to possible injury and an unbalanced body.
Our workout was tough today. Burly..check. Gritty...check(i was even using chalk for the ring portion of the workout!) Gutsy...check(um...anything that Coach Hurst introduces fits this description!) Adventurous...check(I've never done ring work before!) So, yeah...we were working it like pirates; and of all places...in Osaka, Japan!

Sticking with it

While this is my first post, I have been training under the direction of Coach Ryan Hurst, with the hopes of eventually becoming a CST instructor. I love the program! It's made up of 3 physical components which are Intu-flow, Prasara Yoga, and Club bell training. It's unlike any other exercise system that I have tried. As I have been dancing for many years, and am also a pilates instructor, it seems that I can never get enough when it comes to learning new kinetic forms. So, here I am once again diving into unknown territory, intrigued by it all!

Along with keeping my physical regimen up, I am now starting a 28 day challenge. I'm journaling my food, and taking a look at which areas of my body are in need of a tune-up, or in need of a challenge. Needless to say, no easy task. Lesson #1 Stick with it!