Sometimes I feel like a jack of all trades and a true master of none when it comes to how I approach fitness and movement and how I deepen my learning. I often envy people who feel they’ve found the one practice that answers all the mysteries of our body, our mind and our spirits. Some people do better with structure and others cringe at the thought of having to choose!
That one practice works for them very well and they become devoted to it and sometimes learn to teach it to others. They become that practice’s embassador and passionately spread their learnings.
That hasn’t been my journey. I’ve never found one type of practice that has met all my needs for my mind and body as what I need to create vitality shifts. What my spirit needs shifts. And new research and findings emerge that challenge our old beliefs. What I’m interested in learning shifts as well. And what I’m interested in learning professionally directly reflects what I’m exploring personally as well.
This week I had the opportunity to try two new movement classes. It feels like a treat to me to get out of my comfort zone. Go into new environments. Give something a try without any expectations that I will continue with it but at least stay open to the possibility of that.
I tried two very very different classes this week. And both forced me out of my usual movement patterns and engaged my mind.
Last night, I tried (Contact Kicks) to as a Valentine’s Day activity that felt authentic to who we are and where we are at in our lives.
Kyokushin kaikan (極真会館?) is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese Masutatsu Oyama (大山倍達 Ōyama Masutatsu?) who was born under the name Choi Young-Eui. 최영의. Kyokushinkai is Japanese for “the society of the ultimate truth.” Kyokushin is rooted in a Barreworks at Queen and Bathurst with a friend. We did the bAAAre class (arms, abs and ass LOL)
Using the ballet barre, resistance bands and weighted balls, you will be engaged in an energizing combination of exercises that is unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Muscle sculpting, cardio training, core conditioning and deep stretching with an emphasis on posture and alignment. All this, set to a kick ass playlist.
It was fun to be reminded of the old school moves I used to do in the 80s when I taught aerobics. Yes, I predict a new twist on old school aerobics is coming our way. The music was loud and fun. We did tonnes of old school leg lifts, kind of 80s style mixed in with some newer moves using balls and bands. I for sure got a little sweat going and would totally go back to shake things up. And I was amazed at how after so many years, I could catch on to the choreographed moves I hadn’t done in so long. Most of the women in class were in their 20s, so mental note if you’re not feeling really awesome in your body right now. I have several dancer friends who have trained their bodies hardcore over the years, and I’m pretty sure Barreworks is VERY different than the actual training a dancer would be doing, but it definitely brings in some great elements of dance to spice up a regular workout.
What I learn from trying new things (that you might too):
1) There isn’t only one ‘right’ way of working out. People will repeat what they love and enjoy and ultimately engaging in challenging and focused movement regularly is way more important than doing just the right type of exercise that will get you the results you’re looking for. Cuz if you’re not going to exercise regularly because you don’t love it enough, then you’ll get no results at all. If someone really wants me to tell them how to achieve their fitness and health goals, then I’ll tell them what has been shown to work best but the best type of exercise for anyone is something they love, as long as it’s done safely!
2) If you’ve been committed to mindful movement of any kind, it’s not going to feel like you’re learning everything in a new way. You’ll bring your muscle memory, your past coordination and conditioning into whatever thing new you try. So just go for it if you’ve been interested in something new!
3) When one things emerges in popularity, another thing must die to take its place. We live in a capitalist society where Charles Poliquin’s teachings. I am still humbled by how much he knows about so many things I have yet to learn or may never choose to learn. But it didn’t get used much and I found many different ways I much preferred working hamstrings especially for my client niche. Instead, I’m replacing it with a heavy bag for the emotional and energetic clearing benefits and great conditioning aspect and a TRX because TRXs are totally versatile and fun. Plus, bodyweight training challenges us to the core.
We have to stay open to new things in our lives, in business and our professions because without allowing ourselves to realize how much more there is to learn, how much fun we can have trying something new and how life is full of endless possibilities of how we can pass our time, we just are missing out!