I have been swinging the Kettlebells for 8 years now and been certified for 5. Throughout my time as a trainer/coach I have attended numerous certifications. And with The RKC put on by dragondoor in town this week I still have to say that it is the best hands down certification I have attended. I learned more in those 3 days than any other cert. I was fortunate to be there in the early days when you had the likes of many rises KB 'stars' emerge and this is evident in the various certifying groups available now days. But, I have to say there is a reason the RKC is what it is and it comes down to the man who is teacher/master of us all, Pavel Tsatsouline. We all owe a deep debt of gratitude to him for bringing this to our attention along with John DuCane.
I am not a Team Leader, Senior, or Master in the RKC system so when I speak I do so with the Wisdom and awareness around where the root of the KB movement arouse and who are the founders and fore fathers of such movement. Plus, I respect Pavel far more than just the KB, he is wise well beyond this and truly is a complete package and his whole system is reflected in this. Many of us have and do ride his coat tails and stand upon his shoulders. Because of this the Kettlebell and the industry of strength, conditioning and personal training is evolving to new heights and putting out high quality instructors.
Unlike other certifications I have attended, the RKC tests your knowledge and makes you perform and demonstrate your ability before you earn your stripes and this is essential for the quality behind the work we do in the world of fitness.
The RKC is a great step or addition to any trainers, athlete, coaches toolbox.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Swing!
The Swing:
When I think of the human being and the human body I see the amazing beauty that we all share and at the same time the unique aspects that distinguish us from each other. Through the 15 years I have been coaching I have had to opportunity to study many different forms and theories/practices behind human movement practices and observe an inordinate of people performing these practices through my coaching or other observational opportunities (i.e. certifications, videos, sporting events, etc.).
I have trained with some well versed coaches and observed countless number of swings in my time as a kettlebell instructor, 5 years this April 2010. And through that time I have constantly evaluated and reformed my teaching of the movement. What I have learned is that there is specific principles that form the foundation of the Kettlebell Swing and no one does it better than the RKC, as Westside Barbell and Louie Simmons says about the Westside Method, ‘often imitated but never duplicated’ and this is the case with the RKC swing.
However, as a coach I am sometimes confounded how we try to put people in a box when teaching a movement, assuming that all people move and operate or can function in the same way, as if there is one and only one answer. And based off of what I know and understand about the human being and more important the human body, this is indeed not the case. Principally speaking things such as keeping your spine straight, rooting your feet, linking your body, moving through and from the hips, moving the kettlebell in a pendulum based motion, maintaining center of gravity are all key points that I believe all Kettlebell swingers should employ based on the concept of what a swing is.
The point is that everyone has a unique anatomical structure comprised of different length of segments, various muscle length/tension relationships, various strength/weakness relationships, etc. and these all need to be taken into careful consideration when teaching and making adjustments of any particular movement. As a coach it is imperative that we understand the logic behind any movement and more importantly then be able to apply our understanding to our students and teach/coach everyone for what they are, an individual. We must look at each person and be able to identify how we can best help them based on their goals and advise them appropriately treating them as an individual.
In addition, we need to take the skills imparted upon us by top notch organizations like the RKC and then take that information and apply it to the community, people and individuals. As coaches, teachers, athletes, we need to remember it is our job to serve the individual, even in a group setting and to do so within their abilities not any box. Take the foundation and apply with discretion. Safe and effective, with the principles of the movement and the individual working together
When I think of the human being and the human body I see the amazing beauty that we all share and at the same time the unique aspects that distinguish us from each other. Through the 15 years I have been coaching I have had to opportunity to study many different forms and theories/practices behind human movement practices and observe an inordinate of people performing these practices through my coaching or other observational opportunities (i.e. certifications, videos, sporting events, etc.).
I have trained with some well versed coaches and observed countless number of swings in my time as a kettlebell instructor, 5 years this April 2010. And through that time I have constantly evaluated and reformed my teaching of the movement. What I have learned is that there is specific principles that form the foundation of the Kettlebell Swing and no one does it better than the RKC, as Westside Barbell and Louie Simmons says about the Westside Method, ‘often imitated but never duplicated’ and this is the case with the RKC swing.
However, as a coach I am sometimes confounded how we try to put people in a box when teaching a movement, assuming that all people move and operate or can function in the same way, as if there is one and only one answer. And based off of what I know and understand about the human being and more important the human body, this is indeed not the case. Principally speaking things such as keeping your spine straight, rooting your feet, linking your body, moving through and from the hips, moving the kettlebell in a pendulum based motion, maintaining center of gravity are all key points that I believe all Kettlebell swingers should employ based on the concept of what a swing is.
The point is that everyone has a unique anatomical structure comprised of different length of segments, various muscle length/tension relationships, various strength/weakness relationships, etc. and these all need to be taken into careful consideration when teaching and making adjustments of any particular movement. As a coach it is imperative that we understand the logic behind any movement and more importantly then be able to apply our understanding to our students and teach/coach everyone for what they are, an individual. We must look at each person and be able to identify how we can best help them based on their goals and advise them appropriately treating them as an individual.
In addition, we need to take the skills imparted upon us by top notch organizations like the RKC and then take that information and apply it to the community, people and individuals. As coaches, teachers, athletes, we need to remember it is our job to serve the individual, even in a group setting and to do so within their abilities not any box. Take the foundation and apply with discretion. Safe and effective, with the principles of the movement and the individual working together
Friday, February 12, 2010
Doctor, doctor
The question was posed, do you have any concerns about being a doctor in clinic? and before I could answer the admission director looked at me and said, 'probably not'. Truth be told, nope. How cool it is to be on this journey to put myself out there and challenge my ability to learn and comprehend a whole new terminology all in an effort to be able to serve my future clients health and wellness needs to the best level possible.
Yes I want to be the best, not in comparisons to others but in comparison to myself and know that I put my best foot forward. And no I am not concerned because I am in control of my destiny barring any unforeseen things but all things being equal I have the keys to the car and I can do what I want with it. I am eager to learn, study, explore, research, practice and become the best I can. What an awesome journey and I stoked to be here and now and I look forward to being the best doctor possible and that will be determined in large part by my efforts over the next 4 years and my future clients health and wellness.
Yes I want to be the best, not in comparisons to others but in comparison to myself and know that I put my best foot forward. And no I am not concerned because I am in control of my destiny barring any unforeseen things but all things being equal I have the keys to the car and I can do what I want with it. I am eager to learn, study, explore, research, practice and become the best I can. What an awesome journey and I stoked to be here and now and I look forward to being the best doctor possible and that will be determined in large part by my efforts over the next 4 years and my future clients health and wellness.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Speaking and LIving Your Truth
Yes, I feel at ease with how I live, how I travel this world, this journey, this path, my life. Some may call it confidence, others cockiness or ego, others stubborn, others ignorant but truthfully I do not care. For it is our duty to live our best life within what we know and understand at that present moment. Am I content yes, am I stopping, heck know. Everyday I go out exploring, observing and learning in an effort to evolve because I understand there is more than one way to get to the same goal, in this case living ones truth, essence or best life.
There is many ways to the same spot, point, destination and I want to explore as many as possible and enjoy it along the way. I cannot tell you whether my approach is a good idea for you but I can say it is working for me as I have continued to grow and evolve and I am excited with each step on the journey, eager and curious and with a smile and a compassionate heart filled with gratitude and awareness around my many blessings.
good, bad or indifferent I do not see much worth arguing or debating but I see plenty worthy of observing, witnessing, learning and appreciating. All the people I encounter, the experiences I live are worthy of an opportunity and I am humbled daily by the beauty of that and those that surround me and offer so much just by their sheer presence. We may not do, act, feel, think, see, smell, taste, talk, the same but to me that is of no relevance it is the fact that we all have our way and we can learn from observing and witnessing without judgment on one another. You may feel right and think I am wrong, so be it, it is a beautiful thing that you have your way and me mine and I fully respect and appreciate that which makes us all unique.
The ability to share, to see through a compassionate lens of life, to be open to the moment and what is being presented and to be aware of the beauty of life and be able to talk/share without judgment is a wonderful blessing.
Live and speak your truth and shucks if you can show me a better or alternative way and it makes sense to the way i process things I am open, love to learn and explore.
There is many ways to the same spot, point, destination and I want to explore as many as possible and enjoy it along the way. I cannot tell you whether my approach is a good idea for you but I can say it is working for me as I have continued to grow and evolve and I am excited with each step on the journey, eager and curious and with a smile and a compassionate heart filled with gratitude and awareness around my many blessings.
good, bad or indifferent I do not see much worth arguing or debating but I see plenty worthy of observing, witnessing, learning and appreciating. All the people I encounter, the experiences I live are worthy of an opportunity and I am humbled daily by the beauty of that and those that surround me and offer so much just by their sheer presence. We may not do, act, feel, think, see, smell, taste, talk, the same but to me that is of no relevance it is the fact that we all have our way and we can learn from observing and witnessing without judgment on one another. You may feel right and think I am wrong, so be it, it is a beautiful thing that you have your way and me mine and I fully respect and appreciate that which makes us all unique.
The ability to share, to see through a compassionate lens of life, to be open to the moment and what is being presented and to be aware of the beauty of life and be able to talk/share without judgment is a wonderful blessing.
Live and speak your truth and shucks if you can show me a better or alternative way and it makes sense to the way i process things I am open, love to learn and explore.
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