My real introduction to Physical Culture was through the book Combat Conditioning by Matt Furey. This got me on the path to strength training that would change my entire concept of exercise. The first three exercises in the book (Hindu Squats, Hindu Push-ups & The Bridge) were all I did the first month I fully used it and holy crap they were a wake up call. Very tough to do 25 reps on either Squats or Push-ups and a 30 sec. Bridge was the most I can do at that time. As I added other exercises in the book and really taking off, I was astounded by the amount of shape I developed physically, mentally and yes emotionally.
Within months I did over 1000 Hindu Squats/Jumpers in a workout, over 60 Hindu Push-ups in a row and could do the Deck Of Cards workout in under 30 min. These give you the tools to take your body to a level that was traditional in the Hindu Wrestling Culture of India and what it was like to have the conditioning and endurance of an old school pro wrestler. You don't have to be a wrestler to be in amazing shape, look at guys like Bruce Lee, Marcus Allen, Ray Lewis, Mike Tyson & other athletes, they used similar or practically identical methods of bodyweight exercise to get in insane shape.
Workouts (playouts) based on these exercises will strengthen your body and give you natural muscular shape and stamina that you can't even remotely get from weight lifting. You think being on a treadmill is considered cardio and its tough? Test out doing 500 Hindu Squats or more in a row or do the Deck Of Cards in 30 min or less. That builds toughness and it builds a level of strength endurance that's off the chain. There are 48 Exercises in this book that are very powerful and although may not look like much, can take down even the strongest of men. Once you become efficient at them, challenge yourself on certain workouts like doing 500 Squats in a row doing 5x80/20 or the 250 Push-ups Workout or 250 Hindu Push-ups in a row. This was the staple for the old-time wrestlers. This book goes beyond exercise and challenges your body, mind and soul to the brink of crazy conditioning for whatever you have in stored in sports or in life. Come and grab it and let the kids do it as well with you.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
48 Hour FLASH SALE!!!
Hope you Americans out there are having a blast today celebrating our country's independence!
But, if you got some time today or tomorrow, you might want to check out our 2-day July 4th Flash Sale on our American products.
Every product that is grown and made in the U.S., is currently being discounted 20% off for the 4th and 5th of July. LOST EMPIRE HERBS.
Those products are:
·Organic Schisandra 5:1 Concentrate (30 Gram Bag)
Cordyceps Blend (100 Gram Bag)
Nettle Root Tincture (2 Fluid Oz. Bottle)
Ashwagandha Root Tincture (2 Fluid Oz.Bottle)
Just use the code: AMERICAN to receive the discount when you check out. Just a heads up, this is not an automatic code people, if you do not input it at checkout, the system will not give you the discount.
Have a Happy J4 Everyone
*This is not just for domestic orders. If you are not in the United States, you will still receive this discount.
Monday, July 3, 2017
Follow Blindly With Pride 2: Don't
I wrote a while back about following blindly with pride on fitness programs that are more experimental. There were a few things I admittedly was wrong about. Following blindly isn't the best idea to look for something to help you get the results you want. Learn what the program does and how it applies to the goals you're searching. Going in head on without learning is like jumping into a wrestling ring and not knowing a damn thing how to wrestle; you'll get your ass kicked.
Training should be about learning and venturing into something you can be interested in and getting results, if it doesn't work then you move on to something else. You may not know at first what you're getting into but start at the beginning, learn the basics and absorb what you can. Following without really knowing all the details can sever your chances of succeeding.
When I first truly learned about animal movements I was in for a shock how tough they were and I blindly went for the dice game and nearly passed out the first time. It was a tough lesson learned and I made a point to learn the exercises themselves before making the mark for a big workout. It paid off in the end and now it has helped me be in the best shape of my life.
Think of it this way, if you just jumped into olympic weightlifting and thinking because you've seen it done so easily by champions why not do the same exact thing. Let's face it if you don't have the basics and just lift without any mechanical training, you can end up hurt and you'll find something to blame for your failures. Follow the basics not the blind.
Training should be about learning and venturing into something you can be interested in and getting results, if it doesn't work then you move on to something else. You may not know at first what you're getting into but start at the beginning, learn the basics and absorb what you can. Following without really knowing all the details can sever your chances of succeeding.
When I first truly learned about animal movements I was in for a shock how tough they were and I blindly went for the dice game and nearly passed out the first time. It was a tough lesson learned and I made a point to learn the exercises themselves before making the mark for a big workout. It paid off in the end and now it has helped me be in the best shape of my life.
Think of it this way, if you just jumped into olympic weightlifting and thinking because you've seen it done so easily by champions why not do the same exact thing. Let's face it if you don't have the basics and just lift without any mechanical training, you can end up hurt and you'll find something to blame for your failures. Follow the basics not the blind.
Friday, June 30, 2017
Animal Style Movements Enhance Brain Power & Mental Toughness
Some refer to animal movements as nothing more than warm ups for the "big" exercises; that's fine if they think that but that mainly tells me they have fully experienced the benefits of the movements themselves and what they truly represent. When you break it down, each movement in its capacity brings in a full engaged body otherwise you won't be able to move very well and you're not using your body's natural instincts. This in turn establishes more power into the body's Central Nervous system and flows up the energy of the spine and produces blood into the streams leading up to the brain. When your body flows with that much energy, it enhances the activity in the brain which can enhance memory, the ability to process better and increase possibly with intelligence.
The focus of the movements opens up the areas of the brain that produces endorphins and with the blood flowing at a powerful, natural rate it stimulates all areas of the brain. I'm no scientist, I'm only going on experiences and the possibilities of what these animal moves can really do when engaged. The mental toughness comes from the ability to keep going. Like an animal in the wild, it has to be tough in order to survive and be able to take down prey or run from it when it's called for. In life, things do get tough and when you have the drive to keep moving even though you're tired it brings out a whole other realm of strength that's within you.
After doing thousands of steps, yards ect I personally believe that when you're done with a session, you'll experience a level of focus, blissfulness & calmness that anything that is thrown at you would just fly by. Other than Bridging exercises I have never experienced an endorphin high and level of positive energy than through the training of animal moves. I feel like the world is my oyster and I can do anything even if its just for a few moments. Because of all that energy, your mind and body become one and you will have abilities you didn't think existed. I have literally done hundreds of programs and playouts and none of them gave me that kind of energy. It was scary but I have come to accept it and learn how to apply it in my everyday life. So like I said, its beyond a warm-up, it is a way of BEING!!!
The focus of the movements opens up the areas of the brain that produces endorphins and with the blood flowing at a powerful, natural rate it stimulates all areas of the brain. I'm no scientist, I'm only going on experiences and the possibilities of what these animal moves can really do when engaged. The mental toughness comes from the ability to keep going. Like an animal in the wild, it has to be tough in order to survive and be able to take down prey or run from it when it's called for. In life, things do get tough and when you have the drive to keep moving even though you're tired it brings out a whole other realm of strength that's within you.
After doing thousands of steps, yards ect I personally believe that when you're done with a session, you'll experience a level of focus, blissfulness & calmness that anything that is thrown at you would just fly by. Other than Bridging exercises I have never experienced an endorphin high and level of positive energy than through the training of animal moves. I feel like the world is my oyster and I can do anything even if its just for a few moments. Because of all that energy, your mind and body become one and you will have abilities you didn't think existed. I have literally done hundreds of programs and playouts and none of them gave me that kind of energy. It was scary but I have come to accept it and learn how to apply it in my everyday life. So like I said, its beyond a warm-up, it is a way of BEING!!!
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Developing That Summer Body
There's nothing wrong with wanting to look like a stud or a hot woman for the summer season. Show off those curves, washboard abs, thigh gap legs and arms that would make chicks go "oooo lala" but in the end, how are you going to look good if you got nothing really to show for it with real strength? Many people want fast results and want to look like a greek god(dess) for beach season so they can show off what they feel really accomplished. In some places in the world or even just the country; you work on a beach body all year round so what are you really trying to do in those other areas?
It's never easy developing a physique, it's even more difficult to get that physique but also have strength, endurance & flexibility as well. Most beach bodies look pretty but for the most part that's it, there's no real strength to show for and why need flexibility when you can make robotic turns and pose to impress someone? To have the total package; you must go all out on what is truly needed to develop what you want. The funny thing is, many beach body "practitioners" focus on bodybuilding type exercises and think cardio is the best way to lose fat and weight. This isn't just women, a lot of guys do it too and a lot of them don't get anywhere because they don't have the right method and they end up blaming something else instead of themselves.
Use methods that have stood the best of time and make that summer bod year round instead of only a season and then destroy yourselves the rest of the time. Methods like Animal Movements shed fat really fast and develop muscle faster than most methods, lift like the old-time strongmen doing Dinosaur type training, ladies; do body sculpting exercises using only your bodyweight that breathes life into the body YOU want, do gymnastic type movements to target the core muscles at its maximum without lollygagging around with stupid crunches and such.
Real beach bods develop not only an awesome look but you'll have other factors that contribute to developing that look; functional strength, stamina, conditioning, increased testosterone, higher metabolism, stronger organs (not just on the outside), creating natural muscle mass (not grossed out bulk) and one of the greatest factors of all; being pain-free or becoming that over time. Use the methods in this article and see your body change along with a balanced eating program. Why a seasonal bod when you can have it for life?
It's never easy developing a physique, it's even more difficult to get that physique but also have strength, endurance & flexibility as well. Most beach bodies look pretty but for the most part that's it, there's no real strength to show for and why need flexibility when you can make robotic turns and pose to impress someone? To have the total package; you must go all out on what is truly needed to develop what you want. The funny thing is, many beach body "practitioners" focus on bodybuilding type exercises and think cardio is the best way to lose fat and weight. This isn't just women, a lot of guys do it too and a lot of them don't get anywhere because they don't have the right method and they end up blaming something else instead of themselves.
Use methods that have stood the best of time and make that summer bod year round instead of only a season and then destroy yourselves the rest of the time. Methods like Animal Movements shed fat really fast and develop muscle faster than most methods, lift like the old-time strongmen doing Dinosaur type training, ladies; do body sculpting exercises using only your bodyweight that breathes life into the body YOU want, do gymnastic type movements to target the core muscles at its maximum without lollygagging around with stupid crunches and such.
Real beach bods develop not only an awesome look but you'll have other factors that contribute to developing that look; functional strength, stamina, conditioning, increased testosterone, higher metabolism, stronger organs (not just on the outside), creating natural muscle mass (not grossed out bulk) and one of the greatest factors of all; being pain-free or becoming that over time. Use the methods in this article and see your body change along with a balanced eating program. Why a seasonal bod when you can have it for life?
Monday, June 26, 2017
Why I Choose Animal Movements For Cardio Instead Of Running
Back in grade school it was fun running around on the playground, playing ball and just being able to move. When High School came around there were times where we had to test strength, stamina and flexibility in various areas in P.E. Back then I wasn't in any shape for running hell even sprinting for that matter and didn't have any real stamina to show for; I was pretty strong though and was able to move a lot of weight naturally for my age but I also had no flexibility that gave any incentive to my peers. I didn't understand cardio at the time, all I heard of what cardio was was just running long distances. I couldn't jog if my life depended on it and always failed at the mile test averaging 12-14 min. a mile which is pretty damn slow for them and you're considered weak and not in shape.
I mainly focused on strength in those days even before I broke my legs by going to the gym and just lifting heavy shit and that was it. From the bench press to the cable rows I did the best to my abilities to naturally get very strong without the use of steroids or P.E.Ds. I did get pretty strong without any coaching or being taught the fundamentals of lifting, I did it all on my own and learned from books and checking out guys like Ronnie Coleman & Jay Cutler. It wasn't until I broke my legs that strength wasn't the answer to all my attributes for fitness.
You've read my story on what I did at first when I started walking again; doing the Hindu Squats, Hindu Push-ups & the Bridge for a month; I never did that kind of cardio and strength training so at 21 I decided to make the most out of developing every attribute possible that I can learn and absorb knowledge on. At first it was just rehabbing my legs, than I started developing better conditioning and stamina, the strength came naturally and my flexibility was shooting the through the roof.
Now what is the whole point of all this or why am I still rambling about cardio and haven't fully mentioning the animals or running? Well, for the most part I hate running with a capital "H" but I do like sprinting. It wasn't until the last few years that Animal Exercises were my calling for utilizing the areas of cardio conditioning, functional strength and overall fitness that they're far better than running is and for good reasons: With running or jogging, you're only using specific muscles and going for distance at a specific pace but yet due to recent research, it can cause injuries especially in the ankles and heels not just the legs or feet. With animal moves, you're using your whole body in various positions where everything is engaged.
Animals reflect on using the natural formations of muscular movement such as crawling, jumping, balancing, climbing & coordinating and providing the ability to utilize many fitness attributes into one shot; Jogging isn't necessarily a natural form of movement but more of an isolated outlook to the nature of what real running is and that's running hard and/or fast like sprinting, chasing prey and other natural formalities. Early man didn't jog as a way to get fit; he ran like hell to get away from predators, ran hard to catch food, rushed his body into battle. Jogging is a systematic form of unnatural running. Animal Exercise take on the ideal of what early men had to do in order to survive. He had to climb, jump, swim and outrun what could potentially kill him or chase prey to feed his family/tribe/himself. Cardio when broken down is a term where you sustain a level of your heart rate whether in a short or long period of time. You can do 500 Squats and it'll still count as cardio, you can do 1000 Kettlebell swings it'll still count as cardio and you can do 5-10 Hill Sprints; that's still cardio. I choose to do animal movements because for me they're a sure fire to have hit peak levels of my heart rate and power up my lung capacity and develop a metabolism and fat burning zone even hours after a playout.
You can do Animals as fast or as slow as you want, either way your heart rate will go up and your fat burning zone will come into play because the more muscles you use, the higher chances of burning major calories and building powerful muscle in the process. Some of the greatest athletes on the planet have done animal moves to hit peak levels of cardiovascular conditioning. You don't need an insane amount of hours to get in high physical condition, just 30 minutes or less a day and you can get into a level of cardio similar to running 10 miles it is that powerful. The stamina you will develop and the ability to be nearly as strong in the end just as you started is what makes this so superior to many other forms of exercise. Want to get stronger lungs; do animal moves, want a stronger core; do animal moves, want powerful and enduring legs; do animal moves. Because of this method I'm in far better shape than I ever was in my teens and if I had a chance to go back in time to talk to a 16 year old Ben, I'd tell to get his ass into gear doing animal exercises; who knows what would've been if I had that knowledge then.
I mainly focused on strength in those days even before I broke my legs by going to the gym and just lifting heavy shit and that was it. From the bench press to the cable rows I did the best to my abilities to naturally get very strong without the use of steroids or P.E.Ds. I did get pretty strong without any coaching or being taught the fundamentals of lifting, I did it all on my own and learned from books and checking out guys like Ronnie Coleman & Jay Cutler. It wasn't until I broke my legs that strength wasn't the answer to all my attributes for fitness.
You've read my story on what I did at first when I started walking again; doing the Hindu Squats, Hindu Push-ups & the Bridge for a month; I never did that kind of cardio and strength training so at 21 I decided to make the most out of developing every attribute possible that I can learn and absorb knowledge on. At first it was just rehabbing my legs, than I started developing better conditioning and stamina, the strength came naturally and my flexibility was shooting the through the roof.
Now what is the whole point of all this or why am I still rambling about cardio and haven't fully mentioning the animals or running? Well, for the most part I hate running with a capital "H" but I do like sprinting. It wasn't until the last few years that Animal Exercises were my calling for utilizing the areas of cardio conditioning, functional strength and overall fitness that they're far better than running is and for good reasons: With running or jogging, you're only using specific muscles and going for distance at a specific pace but yet due to recent research, it can cause injuries especially in the ankles and heels not just the legs or feet. With animal moves, you're using your whole body in various positions where everything is engaged.
Animals reflect on using the natural formations of muscular movement such as crawling, jumping, balancing, climbing & coordinating and providing the ability to utilize many fitness attributes into one shot; Jogging isn't necessarily a natural form of movement but more of an isolated outlook to the nature of what real running is and that's running hard and/or fast like sprinting, chasing prey and other natural formalities. Early man didn't jog as a way to get fit; he ran like hell to get away from predators, ran hard to catch food, rushed his body into battle. Jogging is a systematic form of unnatural running. Animal Exercise take on the ideal of what early men had to do in order to survive. He had to climb, jump, swim and outrun what could potentially kill him or chase prey to feed his family/tribe/himself. Cardio when broken down is a term where you sustain a level of your heart rate whether in a short or long period of time. You can do 500 Squats and it'll still count as cardio, you can do 1000 Kettlebell swings it'll still count as cardio and you can do 5-10 Hill Sprints; that's still cardio. I choose to do animal movements because for me they're a sure fire to have hit peak levels of my heart rate and power up my lung capacity and develop a metabolism and fat burning zone even hours after a playout.
You can do Animals as fast or as slow as you want, either way your heart rate will go up and your fat burning zone will come into play because the more muscles you use, the higher chances of burning major calories and building powerful muscle in the process. Some of the greatest athletes on the planet have done animal moves to hit peak levels of cardiovascular conditioning. You don't need an insane amount of hours to get in high physical condition, just 30 minutes or less a day and you can get into a level of cardio similar to running 10 miles it is that powerful. The stamina you will develop and the ability to be nearly as strong in the end just as you started is what makes this so superior to many other forms of exercise. Want to get stronger lungs; do animal moves, want a stronger core; do animal moves, want powerful and enduring legs; do animal moves. Because of this method I'm in far better shape than I ever was in my teens and if I had a chance to go back in time to talk to a 16 year old Ben, I'd tell to get his ass into gear doing animal exercises; who knows what would've been if I had that knowledge then.
Thursday, June 22, 2017
New Product! Rehmannia
We have been sitting on this one for a while now, but we finally are sharing it with all of you. This herb is one of the most used in Chinese Medicine, and there are excellent reasons why! Rehmannia glutinosa, commonly called Chinese Foxtrot or just Rehmannia, is a powerful restorative Yin herb.
That means if you are in anyway suffering from chronic stress then you could very much benefit from this supreme kidney tonic. The adrenals sit atop the kidneys (the term "adrenal" comes from ad- (Latin, "near") and renes (Latin, "kidney") and Chinese Medicine considers them together to make up the Kidney Meridian.
So if you burn yourself out with constant work, life, family and never have enough time to recuperate fully, you are overworking your Kidneys. To be so go-go-go all the time is considered very Yang. So adding some Yin herbs can greatly counterbalance and create more resilience in the body, especially if you can't stop being that way due to your situation.
Rehmannia has been found to be adrenal-protective and renal-protective. It has also been found to be a potent anti-inflammatory throughout the system. This action allows the body to finally get about healing irritations that have been stifled by its trying to keep inflammation in check. It is just another way that Rehmannia can bring deep restorative balance.
All of this is very important to athletes. After all, who stresses their bodies more than those that day in and day out push their limits physically and mentally?
It should be noted for you athletes as well that weak joints, specifically, lower back, ankle, and knee pains, are common symptoms of weak Kidneys in Chinese Medicine.
I know many of you suffer from these maladies which are truly unfortunately for you. Well, now we offer an herb that can perhaps alleviate some of that.
On top of that, this herb does not taste bad at all! No bitterness to speak of! Right now you can get Rehmannia for $5 until the end of Sunday.
As I said, there is a reason this herb is so commonly prescribed in Traditional Chinese Medicine...perhaps it can help bring balance to your force (hehe, Star Wars).
That means if you are in anyway suffering from chronic stress then you could very much benefit from this supreme kidney tonic. The adrenals sit atop the kidneys (the term "adrenal" comes from ad- (Latin, "near") and renes (Latin, "kidney") and Chinese Medicine considers them together to make up the Kidney Meridian.
So if you burn yourself out with constant work, life, family and never have enough time to recuperate fully, you are overworking your Kidneys. To be so go-go-go all the time is considered very Yang. So adding some Yin herbs can greatly counterbalance and create more resilience in the body, especially if you can't stop being that way due to your situation.
Rehmannia has been found to be adrenal-protective and renal-protective. It has also been found to be a potent anti-inflammatory throughout the system. This action allows the body to finally get about healing irritations that have been stifled by its trying to keep inflammation in check. It is just another way that Rehmannia can bring deep restorative balance.
All of this is very important to athletes. After all, who stresses their bodies more than those that day in and day out push their limits physically and mentally?
It should be noted for you athletes as well that weak joints, specifically, lower back, ankle, and knee pains, are common symptoms of weak Kidneys in Chinese Medicine.
I know many of you suffer from these maladies which are truly unfortunately for you. Well, now we offer an herb that can perhaps alleviate some of that.
On top of that, this herb does not taste bad at all! No bitterness to speak of! Right now you can get Rehmannia for $5 until the end of Sunday.
As I said, there is a reason this herb is so commonly prescribed in Traditional Chinese Medicine...perhaps it can help bring balance to your force (hehe, Star Wars).
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