Feedback - Into the Stretch Workshop, London 27-28/8/2016

[IvaMM]

Hi guys,

I am a newbie in the forum and into the stretch movement as well.

Recently I participated in Into the Stretch Workshop in London and I want to share my thoughts here.

Probably for most of you will be very familiar to hear that I was deeply excited and somehow reborn after those two days.

My flexibility was almost absent as I work behind the computer 8 hours a day and drive back home every time. So I was absolutely afraid that I will look ridiculous and will spend almost all the time wallowing on the ground. But nothing of the kind happened. Previously I had some expectations of Kit and Olivia from the videos that I have watched but in real I was absolutely fascinated by their manner of teaching and charisma. Not to forget to mention that the whole group of people and of course Ashwin, succeed to achieve synergy. Probably for me this is one of the most precious experience ever.

During the same weekend I pushed ahead my PRs in stretching and even week after that I feel my body more free, relaxed and flexible.

Today I went to the gym for my usual training session which includes:

-holow 30”/ dragon flag 3 series 5 reps every + table stretch

-planche lean 3x30” + running man 3x10 reps

-bench dips 3x8 reps + xiaopeng with 1,5kg 3x8 reps in both directions

-hinge row 3x8 reps + lat stretch

-front squat @40kg 3x5 reps + single-leg dog pose (felt my calves very flexible and without usual burning pain)

After that I did some limbering through bent-leg Cossack and elephant walk + bent leg hamstring stretch (almost reached the floor) and piriformis (here for the first time I put my forearms on the ground, probably my back is still rounded)

My body responded extremely well!!!! That’s why I tried pike too 

 

 

Few words about me: I have humble history in training – three years till now I do weightlifting, short time in CrossFit and from almost an year try to progress in gymnastics. Had an injury in my left shoulder and a week before the seminar I felt very unpleasant lower back pain. My achievements in the sport’s field are: deadlift 120kg (my bodyweight is 64kg), back squat 90kg, front squat 70kg, barbell military press 40kg, power clean 60kg. Still not master free handstand but working on it.

[Edd]

Hi Iva,

I do indeed have similar feelings and was excited to experience everything differently post the weekend's workshop.  Even directly after I walked the 6 miles to their airport in my five fingers taking a lot more appreciation over what I was feeling throughout my body.  

Since then, whether limbering / stretching at home or yoga classes I've felt so much more in tune with what my body is (trying) to tell me and a huge amount of apprehension in my movements has vanished.  What was previously perceived as negative sensations has mostly changed to greater feedback and dare I say pleasure!

I'm also a lot more inclined to just do things very free-form, leading from one movement to another unplanned position which I experienced this morning before work.  Hurrah for flexible work hours as I had no pressure this morning to cut short what I was experiencing :-)

Ed

[IvaMM]

4 hours ago, Edd said:

Even directly after I walked the 6 miles to their airport in my five fingers taking a lot more appreciation over what I was feeling throughout my body. 

Edd, I'm feeling the same thing! I have deformation of both forth toes since my birth and just after starting to practice the toe/finger stretches I realized that I didn't use my feet joints properly years and years ago. Not to forget to mention and the long personal experience with the high heels stuff....

Now the blood is moving and the toes shout for more space  The gait is different, the back began to straighten, the shoulders are more relaxed.

 

Iva

 

[IvaMM]

Found a fantastic purpose of the park benches - while my dog is playing I stretch my back on the edge of the back.

[Kit_L]

My favourite way of opening the chest and flattening the thoracic curve (and we were all doing this and similar movements yesterday afternoon in DITS, here in London). We missed you!

[IvaMM]

2 hours ago, Kit_L said:

We missed you!

I missed you both too!

Already started planing my next year participation in ST workshop in Europe, of course if you have such in your 2017 schedule (cross my fingers).

Iva