Training Hard. Or, Hardly at all

With one hand or two, Hardstyle kettlebell swings are one of our favourite conditioning exercises. Before the swing, we start with our breath and mirror the movement with bodyweight drills. Towards the middle of our practice, the progressions of our sets and reps combine and increase the stress on the systems of our bodies. The physical output and emotion is intense and after a short series of intervals, we are finished. With one hand on our belly, the other on our chest, we breathe in slow, out slower and always with the nose. Together we stream our strength, share with our students and catch our breath for 15-20 minutes like this every week.

On a separate day, with one hand on the barre, and the other in first or second position, we practice our soft skills of movement with the shoulders and spine in the port de bras. Our favourite are the toe balances and require the right balance of tension and intense concentration. Our experiences in ballet continue to refine our exercise practice as we become increasingly aware to the subtleties of movement. This is how we train the other 2 hours and 45 minutes per week; at the barre or with our bodyweight, we play, refine, and practice with expressive curiosity.

Exercise and working out has many names, many forms, but to many of the users, it doesn’t feel like exercise if it isn’t intense. Imagining movement and making the mind body connection may also provide intense challenges to your workout. Practice the hard and soft skills of movement to perform, recover and embrace a holistic approach to your physical training and wellness.