Okay, it’s playtime

A little pressing fun today…

Strict Overhead Press. work up to a 3 rep max, then, starting with this max weight…
Push Press. Again, work up to a 3 rep max. And with that weight…
Jerk. Once again, working up to a final 3 rep max.

Should take about 7-9 sets total.

Pushup crawl (60 feet)/ macebell swings (heavy, 6-10 per side, or 90 seconds straight). repeat.

5 pullups, 5 mobility burpees 5 times for speed. Make the pullups challenging (add weight if ya gotta)

Quick reminder: The Strength Rituals DVD and Lift With Your Head book combo special is only good to the end of the month. And if you need it by Christmas… better order now!! (click here)

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Okay, It’s Playtime!

Strength Rituals has been featured on several martial arts websites recently. The forum posts revolving around the preview video were varied, from solid praise to confused opposition. My favorite response, which was repeated by more than a few folks, was “that looks dangerous.”

This is nothing new. The average unmoving citizen of this country might find intense activity, often involving speed and/or heavy objects, a bit intimidating. But, uh…

These comments were on MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FORUMS! Apparently putting your face in the way of a foot traveling at blinding velocity is a day in the park. Having someone climb on top of you and proceed to pummel you with elbows and fists is a calm breeze blowing over a quiet beach.

But that Two-Hands Anyhow lift looks downright dastardly. Those one arm snatches are a surefire trip to the hospital.

Meanwhile, I had the honor of meeting a pair of guys from a local parkour group. These talented artists hung some pieces for our last art show and then decided it would be fun to play with some of our toys. They met the challenges I presented to them with vigor, even if they couldn’t complete every task. Nary was heard anything about these ‘dangerous’ activities. In fact, these two would sometimes invent a slightly more ridiculous version of what was presented to them, upping the ante on the possibilities of things going wrong.

It reminded me what the head instructor of a dojo I recently visited had to say to his students before they were about to ‘ground and pound’ each other:

“Okay, it’s playtime!” Awesome, I thought.

Bodytriber Lisa Daugherty recently wrote:

“Really strenuous physical work breaks down even my own resistance to seeing who I am; there’s no energy for anything else. And what I get for the breakdown is a gift: clear understanding of what I *can* do, who I *am.*”

I thought this was sort of a common agreement amongst folks who were committed to activities with a level of specialty and practice that only the uninitiated would conceive as ‘dangerous.’ So excuse my surprise when Bodytribe techniques were subjected to that label by part of a community who consciously insert themselves into actual battles.

Meanwhile Bodytriber Ryan Rich took home gold at the 2nd Annual Charles Gracie Invitational Jiu-Jitzu Tournament.. Nice Job Ryan!

I’m writing an article for Buddhasport.com’s website, and will be doing some video work with them in the near future. There needs to be some focus and appreciation for the training that takes place off-the-mat, but right now strength training for fighters seems confused and chaotic. Nicholas at Buddhasport seems to understand that and I’ll work with him on addressing the issues.

In other exciting news:

Bodytribe Apps for iPhone. Yup. It’s true. I’ll keep you updated, but plan on being able to take Bodytribe anywhere in the world by February.

TIRES! For this Saturday’s Tune Up, we’re going to do all sorts of things with tires. I might be putting Bodytribe out of business when I hand over the keys to all the possibilities with this, the cheapest of all workout tools. Tires are free, and we’ll play with them in all shapes and sizes and in ways you may never have imagined. Dress warm and be prepared to get a little smudgy, tires aren’t really that clean. But they sure can be fun.

And by the way… we’ve updated the workshop calendar well into 2010. So check out all the updates here!

Bodytribe Shaman/head coach Allyson has a music project called Bag of Kittens (their song I Used to Say Your Name is featured on the Strength Rituals DVD), and they’re celebrating their CD release this Friday at Luigi’s Fun Garden at 1050 20th Street (a block from the Tribe). Come on out.

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