The Time is NOW!

Back from a super fun weekend in Seattle with the Exuberant Animal crew laying down some exciting collective plans for inspiring movement. And this weekend has elevated the mission to a all new level! So below is lots of info not just from the Animals but from others. Take a few minutes. maybe skip your favorite show tonite and check out some stuff that has worked to keep my stoke, maybe it will for you as well?!

While i was a little banged up from some recent run in's with trees, icy trails and a nasty chest cold thingy, this weekend was still so amazing and fun and inspiring! It was my time to learn more and vibe off of some of the most amazing people in the world of physical movement that I've ever met. People that are driven to make a difference each and every day in their own way.

Some are authors like the chief of the tribe, Frank Forencich who has written many books on the topic of movement and breaking it down into basic, primal patterns with a focus on fun and play. An amazing person with a mission that is purely inspiring to so many of us.

Which doesn't mean easy by any means, it just means FUN. why the f^%k should't movement and "workouts" be fun? what is wrong with that? Nothing.

The Barefoot Sensei takes primal movement to a whole other level. A genuine, authentic warrior who spreads the gospel by example who is unencumbered by the stress and possessions of the modern world by choice, he is a Sensei in every meaning of the word.

And so many others throughout the weekend have left an indelible mark upon me and my own mission, and for this I'm grateful. And thanks to those who made the journey possible, Mahalos to you.

 Josh Leeger  was another of the great personalities there this weekend who taught me many things in a short time and this am I was checking out his site as part of my daily quest for knowledge. On there I found a link to one of his friends sites, Ross Enamait who runs Ross Training and on there i found some really cool stuff including...gasp, cough, a video profiling Will Smith. Now many of you might think of Will as a Hollywood actor and make generalizations like i often do about that industry but look deeper. Will has some cool sh$t to say for sure.

also while on there found this great poem that speaks volumes..

It Couldn’t Be Done

By Edgar Guest

Somebody said it couldn’t be done,

But he with a chuckle replied

That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one

Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin

On his face. If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing and he tackled the thing

That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;

At least no one has ever done it”;

But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,

And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,

Without any doubting or quiddit,

He started to sing and he tackled the thing

That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,

There are thousands to prophesy failure;

There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,

The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,

Just take off your coat and go to it;

Just start to sing as you tackle the thing

That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

And finally also got a great email this morning from the Northeast Kingdom protagonist of movement himself, Joe Fox.

In "A Mile in His Shoes" in this month's Runner's World, Marc Parent speaks of a study by Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler based on a 1947 Framingham Heart study. Says the article:

"They used the same data to make a startling discovery: Happiness is contagious, as are other good behaviors like quitting smoking and staying thin. These and their opposites- obesity, depression, and cigarettes with coffee- apear to spread between people as if they were viruses; groups of friends "infect" one another with good or bad habits."

It goes on to talk about a New York Times summary of the Christakis/ Fowler study...

"If you want to improve the world with your good behavior, math is on your side. For most of us, within three degrees we are connected to more than 1,000 people-all of whom we can theoretically help make healthier, fitter, and happier just by our contagious example."

     "No one is an island. There is always someone watching you leave the house, dig it out, come back, and do it all over again. You are being watched by a roommate, a brother, a spouse. The driver of every passing car. You are being watched by future generations."

Thank you to all  you exuberants and everyone out there who feed my fire!

Ripped on the Charles with Mocean365

The "Ripped on the Charles with Mocean365" is finishing up our first sucessful 8 week session next week and its been an amazing time with a killer crew. Overlooking the beautiful Charles River, the workouts have included the usual Mocean365 blend of dynamic warm-ups, balance and proprioceptive drills, strength and conditioning interspersed with cardiovascular challenges. Aside from all those fancy terms, we had a lot of fun MOVING. outside, fresh air(sorta) and with a fun group. Here's are a few shots from last weeks class. Big props and thanks to all the crew that made it happen especially Will and Chris B and everyone else that came week in and week out to...."Get Ripped on the Charles!
peace

skye

Real world strength and "fitness"

Just the word "fitness" at times drives me nuts because of its overuse and general cheesy connotations in the training field. my approach to it has been from day one, to improve other aspects of my life, namely how I'm able to move, react, and perform in my day to day.

Now this is finally reaching home with some, that what you do for training how you do your workouts and approach your "fitness" will effect your live positively! Its more than the silly glitz and glamor of "six pack abs" and "fat burning" and all the related industry jargon BS.

Those things are merely a byproduct bonus in my opinion. Can you work all day whether you are pounding nails, chasing kids or punching a keyboard pain free? When it comes time to play, do you have the endurance to fully enjoy the experience, whatever it may be?

We are living in a world where specialization is becoming more commonplace which in my opinion is very dangerous. Great you can design software but can you cut your own firewood? You can build a new deck on your house but can you write a short story? And to relate to training, you have "six pack abs" but can you climb a tree, dig a ditch or train without rest for an hour straight? I hope so to all of those questions!

Take a hard look at your "fitness" and see where and how it positively affects your life and those around you. Look outside of the box and get out of the gym and into the woods. If you don't have equipment, go find some in the woods or at the dump, make it. If you want to get in shape or better shape, JUST DO IT!

This is not the time for specialization but rather an acceptance of new experiences and challenges in regards to your "fitness". run, jump, roll, push, pull, react, stabilize, play, reach, balance, throw, fight, ride, try, read, bend, carry heavy loads and remember we are all animals and kids at heart. When you start accepting these many challenges then you begin to understand real world fitness and function and training with a purpose. SO GO DO IT!!!!!!

Now!

TRX Suspension Trainer

Just received the new TRX Suspension Trainer and have to say i'm impressed! Solid construction, easy to use and adjust and very progressive for all levels. Have to say this is one tool that will make my job easier for sure.
We will be using the TRX within the group setting as we progress into summer. Look for them in the "Fitness in the Forest with Mocean365" beginning on May 4th, so look for that.
I'll be adding photos and videos of the TRX in action over the next couple weeks.
Check this product out for simple, effective, portable workouts that can be done quickly even while on the road..no excuses!
peace
skye