Session Yoga

Today was my first one on one session with my yoga instructor. But it was amazing. Absolutely amazing. I felt at home and calm the entire time.

Chelsea made the session dynamic and fun. I think the fact that we have known each other for over seven years made it so we both acted like friends doing yoga together instead of the traditional teacher/ student relationship.

Our session started off with a brief introduction to the Baptiste method and some goal setting. I love goal setting! In everything I do I have to have purpose when doing it. I don’t always need to have deadlines per se. Obviously, my first goal is to increase my mobility. My lifting has been limited because my mobility is so bad. I have been struggling with falling into my squats and it sucks doing military presses behind the neck. I need to focus on opening up my hips and rotator cuff. My second goal is to become a bad ass yoga practitioner. Of course I am competitive enough to want to master my practice (I fully understand this is counter to yogic philosophy). Thirdly, find a fun activity to do every week that connects me deeper with myself. I don’t want to feel frustration with my body anymore. I think it is important for everyone to be impressed with their physical capabilities, even if their are minor at first.

I know that it has only been one session, but I can already feel a difference in myself. I used to do yoga several times a week and I think my muscle memory kicked in during the middle of the class. It was like my body was welcoming the movements. However, there was a key difference. Even though I am terribly out of practice and in a way out of shape I entered this practice without expectations. I even found myself being surprised at my abilities on the mat (Boom Goal #3!). When I was younger I entered my practice expecting it to be easy or at the least to become easy quickly. And when it didn’t I would become frustrated and sometimes become shameful. Shocking, a 20 something guy with high expectations of himself.

Maybe I am tapping into my maturity or maybe I am remembering how difficult starting a yoga practice can be. But this time I am just fine exploring what I can do now. That I think is a lesson that is hard learned.

First day back at the gym after a week of being sick. I missed it and the people. I am so glad I go to a local gym and not some douchey box gym. People actually cared I was gone for a week.

As far as the actual work out went I didn’t diminish in  weight at all, but I noticed I got fatigued faster then normal. My back squats were fairly on point and my RDLs were pretty good as far as form goes. But the pause squats as usual fucking killed me. I think my glute minor isn’t firing as much as it should. Damn my ass is all I have to say to that. 

Why my trainer is the best….

My little Asian “fitness enthusiast”… - mm4m

Date: 2012-09-03, 8:05PM

You always come in to the gym the same time I’m there. Usually a little late, hungover, not remembering what day it is. I can’t keep my eyes off of you. Even though you obviously have a severe drinking problem, I can’t help but long for your embrace. You sometimes come in with the lumberjack… are you two an ‘item?’ I hope not, because then there is a chance maybe I will be the ‘weight’ to your ‘Turkish Get Up.’ This is crazy, I never do this, but if you’re interested, message me back… you know who you are ;-) Btw… you smell sooooooo good. 

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Explosions in my pants.

So I think I need more explosive energy in my pelvis.

I’ll let you sit with that statement for a moment….

In kettlebells every technique originates in the hips. With the swing, clean, snatch they all come from the hips. Poor Jackie has to get after me each week about using my hips and how I shouldn’t muscle through the movements. My junk is a slow moving fella.

I find I do better with more controlled movements like the Turkish get-up. I am all over that. It is slow and precise and not as fussy as the other movements. Even with the clean and press, I find I like the press since I am able to take my time and control the movement in a more conscious way. I wonder if that says anything about my personality? 0_O

Pistol whipped

Saturday’s training:

-Begin learning the pistol squat progression

- Attempt personal record of doing three Turkish get ups with 55lbs

My trainer has now presented me with a new obsession, the Pistol. According to Jackie and Power Athletes Magazine the pistol has a ton of health benefits. But to be honest, the complexity of the movements and physical demand are enough to keep me obsessing about it for months. I have a bad ass squat and have never struggled with maintaining balance, but like the first time I picked up a kettlebell, the pistol progression was game changer for me. 

The combination of strength and flexibility took me out! I can already see it is a technique that is similar to the Clean which is similar to riding a bike. You do it over and over until a synapse connects and the movements become second nature. Needless to say that moment did not come this session. But it’s going to come eventually.

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