So yesterday's TACFIT commmando workout had its moments of strides and gallops. That's the best way that I can describe what was going on for me during my workout. This is all good because it means that I'm conscious of my progress. In the beginning of this journey, I felt intrigued and hadn't yet dipped into my extended kinesthetic relationship to TACFIT. Sort of felt like a kid in a toy shop. 'I want this.' 'That's cool.' ' Hhmm...What's down that aisle? But yesterday was interesting because I was able to witness my intrigue, stay present with each exercise, and notice what had improved, or hadn't.
For example, forward lunges have become deeper, and my speed has improved. I'm not shifting from right to left as much. So, I'd say that was a 'gallop moment.' Sit thru knee was compelling for many reasons! For one...yesterday was the FIRST time that I did not feel as is I were going to vomit while doing this exercise! What I mean is that when I first started doing this exercise, I literally felt nauseous by the second set. My coach would actually put the garbage can in front of me whilst I pushed through this exercise. Don't know what the nausea is about...but it happened. However, yesterday was different. No nausea, and no garbage can! So, to me, that was huge. (a gallop) But then guess what...I pooped out too early on and had to slow down. I gave my all in the first 3 rounds...and then realized....'Um...where do you think you're goin?!' Back to the basics... 'GO YOUR OWN PACE' (a stride)
Moving onto Kneeling push-ups. (a mix of the stride and gallop) You know...this one really makes me laugh. Kneeling push-ups...no problem right? Your on your knees for God's sake. My kid brother could do it. WRONG. Try shifting your weight forward, resist from moving back, keep your elbows in, lock down the core, and move as quickly as you can for 8 rounds. ha! Looks are deceiving. My gallop for this one is in regards to the fact that I was consciously resisting the urge to move back while doing the work. My stride? I went at my own pace, and didn't slack off.
These were the biggest changes that I had seen throughout 8 rounds of those particular exercises. What I like about this work is that it brings me to a deeper appreciation of the body's capabilites. I see and feel changes, and because each time shows me something new...I can't help but leer ahead.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Baby steps...
My last TACFIT session with Coach Hurst felt a bit more solid. I have a bit more clarity while doing the sit-thru knee, and kneeling push-ups. It all looks so simple, but once your on the mat and practice the accurate form...it's another story. Kneeling push-ups are taken to a completely different level when you shift your weight forward or back, or keep your elbows close to the body. Sometimes I get to the third round of an exercise and feel like just falling flat on my face. Literally! I can feel my mind resisting, and sometimes that voice is so darn loud that it feels hypnotic. But deep down, I know that this is an 'old voice' and that it does not serve me. Ironically, the only way it may serve me is by me recognizing that it doesn't! Are you confused by now?! (haha!)
My point is that it's humbling! It's physically brutal at times. It works my mind, body, and spirit. I think about how it has changed my approach to moving, and in all of the patterns that I had developed over time. So I realize that I have a quite a long road of digesting this work.
On the days that I am not training w/Coach Hurst, I'll either go to the gym, or move my workout outdoors. I have to say, that ever since I started on the path of Circular Strength Training (and now TACFIT), using traditional equipment at the gym is just plain....boring. What I absolutely love about CST & TACFIT is that you move your body on several different levels. You are using space. The space in front of you behind you, the space on either side of you... Your using the core of every single muscle group. When your using weight, you are swinging clubbells and integrating the whole body. I love the system for that! It's a system that opens up huge learning opportunities. While traditional weight machines were a good learning tool back in the day...I find CST and TACFIT to be a deeper experience for me now. I'm never bored,and always challenged..and if I am bored...then that's on me. It's my responsibility to investigate the reason behind that.
So later on today, I'll post a few things that I've been working on, and will hopefully be able to post a montage of the work that I've done over the past week. I'm off to the park to train!
My point is that it's humbling! It's physically brutal at times. It works my mind, body, and spirit. I think about how it has changed my approach to moving, and in all of the patterns that I had developed over time. So I realize that I have a quite a long road of digesting this work.
On the days that I am not training w/Coach Hurst, I'll either go to the gym, or move my workout outdoors. I have to say, that ever since I started on the path of Circular Strength Training (and now TACFIT), using traditional equipment at the gym is just plain....boring. What I absolutely love about CST & TACFIT is that you move your body on several different levels. You are using space. The space in front of you behind you, the space on either side of you... Your using the core of every single muscle group. When your using weight, you are swinging clubbells and integrating the whole body. I love the system for that! It's a system that opens up huge learning opportunities. While traditional weight machines were a good learning tool back in the day...I find CST and TACFIT to be a deeper experience for me now. I'm never bored,and always challenged..and if I am bored...then that's on me. It's my responsibility to investigate the reason behind that.
So later on today, I'll post a few things that I've been working on, and will hopefully be able to post a montage of the work that I've done over the past week. I'm off to the park to train!
Friday, April 16, 2010
TACFIT whooooopppeeddd it!
Yesterday was a killa. Coach Hurst put me through the TACFIT progam. Note to self...be sure not to skimp on sleep the night before! The night before I was lucky enough to attend Mamady Sano's African dance workshop in Osaka. 3 hours of nearly non-stop high intensity, full-body movement! I started at 7pm and finished at 10, and my body/mind experience was pretty 'high.' When I got back to my house, my body was spent but, my endorphins would not chill. So I didn't sleep well, to say the least! Here's Mamady Sano..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MDsO5VuB_I
Next day (Friday), I was exhausted. I knew that later on, my TACFIT session would be really tough. But with that awareness also churnned a spark in me to move towards the work with more concentration. It's funny how that happens...Sometimes when we think we have absolutely 'nothing in the tank' we look to other resources to keep the tank running. So as I walked into Coach Hurst's studio, I was thinking...'Alright, physically your not at your best today. But you can still work efficiently. Maybe the speed at which you work will not be its best but, you can tap into your breathing with more focus, you can be more mindful of your form etc...' After all, I'm trying to really eat, and digest this program. Not fly through it. Being fully present in all of this work is worth more to me than losing weight, or gaining muscle. That will happen... no doubt. But listening to my body, taking the time to see and make the minor adjustments in each session brings me closer to building a very solid foundation.
Today, I'll take another dance workshop called Sabar dance. It's a completely different style from the workshops that I had taken early in the week. It focuses more on jumping, ...but sort of consistently! It also challenges your body with turns, and a whole lot of isolations of the hips, and tush! The arm movement is simultaneous to the leg movement. Talk about muscle confusion! Here's a link to see what Sabar looks like:
(Babacar M'baye)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6X8jTq-n10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MDsO5VuB_I
Next day (Friday), I was exhausted. I knew that later on, my TACFIT session would be really tough. But with that awareness also churnned a spark in me to move towards the work with more concentration. It's funny how that happens...Sometimes when we think we have absolutely 'nothing in the tank' we look to other resources to keep the tank running. So as I walked into Coach Hurst's studio, I was thinking...'Alright, physically your not at your best today. But you can still work efficiently. Maybe the speed at which you work will not be its best but, you can tap into your breathing with more focus, you can be more mindful of your form etc...' After all, I'm trying to really eat, and digest this program. Not fly through it. Being fully present in all of this work is worth more to me than losing weight, or gaining muscle. That will happen... no doubt. But listening to my body, taking the time to see and make the minor adjustments in each session brings me closer to building a very solid foundation.
Today, I'll take another dance workshop called Sabar dance. It's a completely different style from the workshops that I had taken early in the week. It focuses more on jumping, ...but sort of consistently! It also challenges your body with turns, and a whole lot of isolations of the hips, and tush! The arm movement is simultaneous to the leg movement. Talk about muscle confusion! Here's a link to see what Sabar looks like:
(Babacar M'baye)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6X8jTq-n10
Kathy's dancing into strength program
My name is Kathy Lucas, and I'm a CST instructor and dancer here in Japan. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to push the envelope. I'm mad about exploring movement opportunities that seem to be anatomically impossible. I'm wicked inquisitive, stubborn, and love what I do.
While I've trained in many styles of dance over 30 years, my focus is West African Dance. I'm not a ballerina. My body is a far cry from the stereotypical Ballet body. I have my curves and resemble more of an athletic build; and am sooo fine with that. However, I want to work on creating a physically stronger body (from the inside out). I'm 39 and feel more alive in my body than ever before. Part of that has a lot to do with Tacfit. I've not only seen changes in my body, but it's also sharpened my focus, increased my flexibility, and empowered me. My body feels like it's been injected with stability after my workouts. As a dancer, I find that this is what I need. Dancers are 3 dimensional movers. We move from high levels to low. We move in lateral, posterior, ventral, and circular ways. You name it ... we'll try and do it! So in order for me to be able to explore all of these movement options as a dancer (and more) .... I seriously need to buckle down on my workouts. I'm at the point now where, (as my teacher used to say) ... 'It's put up ... or shut up time!'
Coach Hurst has inspired me on many levels throughout my journey so far. I admire him for the devotion that he has for his work, his keen eye for precision, and the fact that he doesn't give up .... For .... Nothing ... ..! (Ps ... this also makes me bite my nails when I'm around him!) He's just the person that I need for this Tacfit journey!
So here's the deal .... You can read my blogs here, and watch my workouts. 'Holla' if you see or read something that you like or dislike. I love a good debate;)
While I've trained in many styles of dance over 30 years, my focus is West African Dance. I'm not a ballerina. My body is a far cry from the stereotypical Ballet body. I have my curves and resemble more of an athletic build; and am sooo fine with that. However, I want to work on creating a physically stronger body (from the inside out). I'm 39 and feel more alive in my body than ever before. Part of that has a lot to do with Tacfit. I've not only seen changes in my body, but it's also sharpened my focus, increased my flexibility, and empowered me. My body feels like it's been injected with stability after my workouts. As a dancer, I find that this is what I need. Dancers are 3 dimensional movers. We move from high levels to low. We move in lateral, posterior, ventral, and circular ways. You name it ... we'll try and do it! So in order for me to be able to explore all of these movement options as a dancer (and more) .... I seriously need to buckle down on my workouts. I'm at the point now where, (as my teacher used to say) ... 'It's put up ... or shut up time!'
Coach Hurst has inspired me on many levels throughout my journey so far. I admire him for the devotion that he has for his work, his keen eye for precision, and the fact that he doesn't give up .... For .... Nothing ... ..! (Ps ... this also makes me bite my nails when I'm around him!) He's just the person that I need for this Tacfit journey!
So here's the deal .... You can read my blogs here, and watch my workouts. 'Holla' if you see or read something that you like or dislike. I love a good debate;)
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