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Its that time again--College of Marin Dance Concert. IE/ID will be going to  closing nite--check back for what she sees.....

"like you want to hit something.."

It looks like we had fun--and we did--but it was more than just a killer fun class. IE/ID decided to do a Piloxing teacher training. Piloxing is the creation of Vivica Jensen and it's a rock- out class that combines Pilates, boxing and dance. IE has been taking the class at Bay Club Marin for the last year and even subbing periodically.

So while IE/ID has a pretty good handle on dancing, and to some extent Pilates, boxing is a complete stretch. On top of all, that learning how to structure a class combining all those elements seamlessly and making it a realworkout is a complete mystery. The more IE subbed the more she really wanted to know how to teach a class, and the only way to do that was to take the training.

Senior Master Trainer Jordan Ballard  loves what she does and it certainly shows.  She had us Piloxing 


from 9-5--with 45 min for lunch and a few sit-down minutes to write anatomical or musical tips and then she would say, “Ok, let’s get up and do it.”  Her favorite refrain was "booty back," to which we would all giggle, then relax and enjoy the process.

It made IE/ID think though: What does it mean to fearlessly stick your butt out?  Or to throw that punch “like you want to hit something.” It means dropping completely into the moment, and  being in the movements that are familiar as well as those that feel awkward, strange and even a little scary.
 

Here’s to learning new moves and finding them refreshing and fun.Then turning around and figuring out how to teach them, making it even more fabulous!

Thanks Vivica!!

IE/ID

Can't Cross Off Cross Fit

A Dancer Takes on Cross Fit

Thanks to another Living social voucher, IE ended up at Ross Valley Cross Fit Gym for her first on ramp training.  Kory, my trainer is strong and muscular, but friendly and clear in his directions. The vibe of the place is definitely Spartan: i.e. black rubbery floors, lots of barbells, and weights in varying poundage to pile on barbells that by themselves weigh 15 and 35lbs alone. 

 

 

There is not a mirror in site but plenty of writing surfaces on which we read and dive into our first " on ramp session."

 

Floor work is  6 and eight pound leather balls that we throw against a wall.  We use the PVC pipes to practice weight lifting techniques like dead lift sumo, and push thrust lift. There are also tons of pull up bars and really giant rubber bands that you use to stretch out triceps and shoulders and wrap around the bar and help you with the pull-ups and tick tocks with knee ups. 
Tick tocks are what your kid does on the jungle gym, swing your hips through and pull back with your shoulders then pull your knees up.

If you're wondering what exactly some of these names mean check out these video's the gym sends after your work out to help perfect your form before the next class.

*     Deadlift -  video

*      Sumo Deadlift High Pull - video

*      Med Ball Clean - video

It’s a whole new world. 


The movements are different but still recognizable. A squat is not a plié, but you still need to feel your feet, especially your heels to get the shins in a vertical position so as  the hips come through you lift to standing. IE went light on the weights to learn correct form without relying on back muscles.


ID, like most dancers, can pick up moves by watching pretty well, however, it is strange to thrust hips outward with your arms overhead. For a modern dancer, a thrust with the hips is part of  a contraction.  It’s hard to hear, “lock out your knees, ” so we modify.

Doing something completely different IE knew she was going to look goofy, dopey, it's a challenge,in short to not be graceful. 

At the end of a week IE could execute a reasonably decent push thrust. And while I am far from Olympic-anything in this discipline, it has opened up my eyes to remaining open to other ways of moving and learning new techniques. 

It shakes up your brain, activates your humility, and ultimately makes you a more versatile mover.

So watch out, if I keep working at those dead lifts, and the “fight gone bad workout,”  I might just surprise you!


IE