Spending the majority of the time on DDP Yoga, I've also been getting back into working my neck more consistently and even thickened it up a bit along with developing greater mobility. That type of training is merely just standing and working the neck in different directions doing 10 reps each way. On the 10th rep, I would hold the position isometrically for a 10 count and move onto the next move. That has helped my spine a lot and its a great short workout before or after a DDP Yoga Session or as an addition to doing Joint Loosening Training.
Another thing that I've been anxious to get back into is the Dopamineo Workouts. Done a few of them so far and filmed doing some basic stuff at a park. I always enjoyed those workouts doing 15-30 minutes of a circuit. Most of the time I was hitting 10 rounds totaling 500 Reps but I also did workouts that went sometimes up to 12-15 rounds within a 30 min. period. Since my recovery however, I've had to either switch things up or slow the pace down and focus on technique which isn't a bad thing. Not trying to be a wrestler or a fighter in training, just keeping myself in shape and being aware of what I do.
I love circuit training, to me it's one of the best forms of conditioning and keeping yourself going at a good clip while resting as little as possible. With these workouts now, it's more technique than speed. The intensity is still there but I'm not focusing on being so explosive, just enough to where I can keep going with a comfortable pace. Some workouts I won't time them because I don't need to beat the clock or set some kind of record all the time. Enjoying what I can do and have fun doing it while making little goals.
The video I did was doing some basic moves that I'm getting back into at a park down the road from the house here, it's really no more than like 3-4 blocks if that. Set it up on a tree using my Iso Strap as an anchor and have at it.
Some moves can be tricky to learn at first but with time and practice, they become like a flow, a sequence if you will of understanding the body's mechanics and mobility. The objective of the band isn't to stretch it so you can't really do much, it's to work just enough resistance so you can feel a movement without being stiff. It's about being smooth, in control and having technique as if you're drilling like in wrestling or martial arts.
Although inspired by wrestling, it can be used for a lot of other things like swimming and doing road work on the beach or something. I love it for the fitness and cardio aspects of it. It's a great experience to do exercises that are different and formulate a program based on movements used by the most conditioned athletes on the planet. What's even cooler is that these same bands are now being used to train Olympic Athletes such as Freestyle & Greco-Roman Wrestlers and Judo Players. One female Freestyle Wrestler is officially the first to be a 3-time Olympian and part of her training was with this specific type of band. If someone who's dedicated to her sport can pull off an accomplishment like that, imagine the possibilities you can achieve in your own training whether it be for sport, fitness, group training or whatever.
You can create all sorts of workouts with these bands and take them virtually anywhere. You can use them in a pool or in the ocean, take them to a park, hook it up at home or at the gym, in your hotel room, do a quick session during a break at work, take them on a hike and work them on a trail, in a parking lot or wherever. If you got a partner to train with, he/she can hold the band while you do drills and then switch. Do little games or work together in sequence, use them to challenge each other and whatever can work.
Don't forget to use my Discount Code POWERANDMIGHT to get 10% OFF your order. These are some of the most durable and flexible bands in the world. Some of the best athletes have trained so hard on these that it's a miracle the band hasn't snapped. They're so incredibly strong that Superman would have trouble snapping these. Grab a set for yourself and/or your friends, training partners, family members or students in group sessions. There's bands for kids to use to train for youth groups and to help them stay healthy and have fun with. These things are worth every penny.
Sounds kind of odd don't you think? Sometimes, things just sound weird but there's a perspective about it. When it comes to meditation, for some people it can be difficult because the idea is to learn how to shut your brain off, have a point to focus on and breathe deeply. Some people are more keen to visualization, others are more auditory meaning sounds are more their thing. I'm in the auditory category, I'm better understanding sounds than visualizing something. If I can't really picture it and try to form it in my mind, it can be very hard.
For me, meditation is very specific and just sitting quietly isn't always easy. Certain things just work like when I write, I need complete privacy, little to no sounds around me and focus on the task at hand. It can be meditative. Meditation specifically, I want to see, hear and feel what I'm meditating. At times, meditation to me is moving like doing Animal Movements or a good workout. Now, what I have found helps with listening, seeing and feeling, is watching videos on youtube called Rain Rider Ambience. These videos show various settings and the sounds to go with those settings such as: A beach with hammock, picnic area, fire pit and the sounds of the waves coming up to the sand. Another would be a woodsy type area where there's a tent with trees blowing in the wind to the sounds of the wind and windchimes. One of my favorites is like a forest area with a treehouse and a pond next to it with sounds of the frogs and other woodland creatures.
This is my favorite form of meditation in the sense of being able to relax, just listen and take in a view of the video. Having headphones on is a cool thing to use cause you get to experience the sounds from another perspective. I do it often but definitely could use some improvements. These videos are extremely long, as long as 10 hours but you don't need to watch the whole thing, a good 20-30 minutes is best. I would sometimes just watch and listen for 15 minutes and I'm falling asleep pretty easily. It's an idea.
Meditating has enormous benefits and has been around for god knows how long, the dawn of thinking LOL? There are many ways to get into a meditative state, some are basic but others can be really out there. Hell, there are people who listen to metal and can be in a relaxed state, others go to places and just soak up the environment like at a lake, a coastal beach, camping, next to their fireplace or wherever. Find what puts you in a relaxed state of mind and be able to feel that level of peacefulness and tranquility. Sounds New Agey doesn't it? Well, it's not, whatever you find meditative, use it to be at peace with yourself. Here a few of the videos of RRA I was talking about.
It’s almost beach season, school’s almost out, weather is
getting warmer and people are flocking to beach sites. Some of you want that
beach body that gives you a reason to take your shirt off, go jump in the water
and make certain people make their heads turn. It’s a great goal to build a
cool looking body. For women they want that toned abs, sexy, legs, one hell of an ass and a chest that makes guys say “daamn.” For guys it’s the powerful
arms, washboard abs, legs that can go on forever, broad shoulders, maybe some
mighty mitts and a chest that makes you stand out. It’s human nature to have
attraction and magnetism so we focus mostly on the physical part. Not a bad
thing but there’s still something missing.
Physical
appearance has had its share of good and bad sides to it and some people will
do whatever it takes to look incredible but yet it costs them their health. Some
people get Botox injections, take steroids to build extra muscle and some even
get plastic surgery just to get a certain look but come on. We were made for a
reason and we have the choice to do what we want with it but in my opinion if
you truly want the confidence with your appearance, make the time and effort to
do it, gain strength both internally and externally along with being as healthy
as possible both inside and out, physically, emotionally and spiritually. If
you’re going to look like a cover model, might as well be strong to go with it.
When it’s
hot out, your body needs more water to hydrate because when you sweat, although
toxins are fuming out of the body, you still need to keep your body running.
Drink as much water as you can. Vitamin D is essential to your body’s nutrients
and the sun is perfect for that. You remember if you use too much of anything
it’s not good for you? Well the sun is no different. Keep your time out in the
sun as best as possible because if you’re out too much, it’ll get you burned
and you’ll be peeling skin for days.
Sun screen
is debatable when it comes down to it; there have been studies that it has a
chance to cause cancer so if you plan on using it, don’t use a ton. I rarely
ever wear it in the summer and I've done just fine, keep yourself in the water,
when you need to dry off, go for it but throw a shirt on to keep your torso
cool (don’t ever wear black, I've learned the hard way), put the towel around
your legs and just kick back in a chair or on the sand or whatever. A good hour
in the sun is pretty good as far as I know. If you’re planning on spending an entire day at the
beach, do intervals of being in water, drying off and keeping cool till the
next time around. Getting a natural tan is good so I’d stay away from those
shitty tanning beds, it’s not good for you so be safe.
For the
most part, have fun. Summer is about having a great time. Out with friends,
family, kick ass BBQ’s, going to the beach, playing ball, run on the sand, jump
off docks and best of all, kicking back in the sun and feeling like a billion bucks. If you want to build a body that you can be proud of, make the effort
and do it within reason, train hard, eat as clean as possible, rest up and be
yourself. Swimming is a great exercise and works the whole body from head to
toe, not big on swimming, lift weights, do some hand balancing, be a wild animal do whatever you want, it’s summer
damn it get your ass out there and make things happen for you.
