Stretch Therapy for Gymnastics Strength Training ("ST for GST") programs

[Kit_L]

This post is reposted from the 'How to Sit for Meditation' thread:

Thanks for the comments; the ST for GST programs will be better in many ways (I will mention just a few):

The How to Sit program was shot in a single, one hour take by me one morning—and no one was pointing the cameras, so the angles and closeups are not optimal. In the ST programs, we have three (sometimes four) cameras running simultaneously, and our editor will be cutting the exercises so that you get to see the detail you need, and at the angle that makes the most sense.

We have changed and significantly improved out audio recording technique; it's been a long experiment, but now we get incredible sound (by miking from overhead).

In the ST programs, we have used all the space (so ladder bars, floor, walls, etc.) plus some props.

And I am considering putting the Program documents (each exercise's images, and its essential cues) here, in PDF form, for direct free download—if we do go this route, discussion will be much easier.

Depending on how long to takes to edit the first program, I am thinking that releasing them one after the other will be the best way (and Master the full squat and hip mobility should be first, in my view, because the pike and the pancake programs need these elements).

Going back to the how to sit program: this is my personal approach to doing this, and I do it because I had to be able to sit comfortable, and my body did not want to do that. And this program contains all the exercises anyone would need for this activity—once you have worked through the program a few times, you will know which elements are most important to your body. Preparation, then, is doing just those few exercises, not the whole lot. In time, you will not need to do any at all: sitting will be one of your embodied patterns, like sitting on a chair.

[Pat (pogo69)]

I have a editor lined up, and my super Graphic Designer is getting up to speed on the ePub front by creating an embedded video version of one of my books, Stretching & Pregnancy. Completely OT, but I am hugely excited about re-releasing this publication.

Also completely off-topic, but; what is the expected timeframe for its re-release, Kit?

My partner is about 11 1/2 weeks pregnant; and despite working at, and being a co-owner in a hot yoga studio, she can never find time to get to class. So something from which she can work at home, would be ideal.

[Kit_L]

Guys and gals, I don't want to make any promises I can't keep; for example, see here:

http://wp.me/p1QR8D-k0

Who could have expected that (that FCPX would not copy the sound files into the bundles with everything else)? I must have failed to tick a box somewhere. Anyhow, because it was shot multicam (three, sometimes four, cameras); and perhaps paradoxically, these are much faster to cut than shooting single camera (Hollywood style). Once T gets the sound, he's good to go. But this is only the second step in the process.

A lot has to happen behind the scenes, including compressing the final programs, and setting up the VOD pages (needs trailers and posters, etc., etc.) before anyone can see anything, but we intend to release the Master the full squat program first and stage the others (working the first one will take you weeks to get it all embodied; then the next programs will be easier to work as a result). I would say a month or so, but please don't hold me to this!

[Keilani Gutierrez]

I'm just excited these programs exist! got plenty to work on with the stretching for sitting in meditation until these come out. God speed, Kit and thanks to everyone who cotributed to the videos.

[AndeL]

Squat first is awesome.

Kit, I had a thought regarding DRM free. Maybe your material will end up on torrent website, as compilations etc. I have pirated stuff a little in the past, though I am now completely reformed, having spent more time with creative people and having thought through piracy a number of years ago. But quite often torrents are a super efficient way to get material... easier than buying.

I thought that putting up some message encouraging an honesty system to your paypal account may promote some better behaviour from people, if the torrent thing does happen. Just a little idea, for what it's worth.

[Kit_L]

Andrew wrote:

I thought that putting up some message encouraging an honesty system to your paypal account may promote some better behaviour from people, if the torrent thing does happen. Just a little idea, for what it's worth.

That is an interesting idea; I will think on it. And have a look here; this article changed my thing on DRM:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonbruner/2011/03/25/tim-oreilly-on-piracy-tinkering-and-the-future-of-the-book/

Having said that, there's no harm in putting "If you like the program, consider donating a buck or two to products@kitlaughlin.com" screen at the head of the programs (that's our super special under $10 Paypal micropayments account; flat 5%). That way it's up to the user: if they already paid for it, great, and if they didn't, they might!

But the O'Reilly position is ripping off a program is a form of free advertising; and I get this totally. What do others think?

[Tris]

No opinion about the O'Reilly position (I'm very new to the idea) but very keen to hear insights as you explore it.

[AndeL]

"If you like the program, consider donating a buck or two to products@kitlaughlin.com"

"...and if you really like the program, donate to your favourite charity and tell us about it.

Just doing a bit of brainstorming practice and yeah, I really like the program. LOL

[Haplix]

I just read the article. I think it's a good idea. Free advertising! If Master the full squat program becomes the best resource for squatting in the market, then more people will buy it. Even if people torrent, it's getting circulated around. If more people have access to the book, they'll probably share it. Then, the friends of those people who would have paid in the first place will. It's just spreading good knowledge around~

[Kit_L]

That is a great charity, AL. Just dropped a few bucks there myself. And yes to the:

...and if you really like the program, donate to your favourite charity and tell us about it.

[Tris]

Just to state what may be obvious... whatever you do, it doesn't have to be forever. If you set up a deposit widget and it gets virtually no activity, you can take it down with no harm done.

[CraigR]

Kit and I have spoken and he knows my view, so I'll just put it out here for comment by others.

Firstly, I don't think you can stop people from copying the programs. We just have to look at the movie and music industries and their unsuccessful attempts to fight this reality.

Secondly, the people that do download copies would probably have never paid for it anyway so I don't think you can count these as lost sales.

BUT...

If someone is exposed to Kit's methods via downloading a pirated copy and goes on to purchase a different program then that's a win, and if that person signs up for a workshop as a result then it's an absolutely massive win!

This is the key in my opinion. More exposure via these programs should potentially lead to more people registering for workshops and even requests for new workshops in new locations.

So I really see all these programs as great advertising for Kit's system and his workshops, with all the honest people chipping in along the way with legitimate purchases.

On top of that, there's a philosophical side to this discussion as well. Is it more important and rewarding to be able to share this knowledge, or to try and make as much money from the programs as possible?

[Haplix]

I agree with you Craig, but I don't think there really is a large philosophical side to this. It's not about the money. From what I've seen so far, it's clear that Kit is not in it for the money. I think Kit should still sell the programs at a price that he thinks is reasonable.

Overall, just releasing the programs regardless of the price is beneficial to GST community and others who are pursuing the movements in the programs. From Stretching and Flexibility and Kit's youtube videos, we already know that the programs are going to be pretty good. We just have to do our part and share it with others to increase the advertising!

[Kit_L]

Is it more important and rewarding to be able to share this knowledge, or to try and make as much money from the programs as possible?

Agree 100%, CraigR, but just as I gave a few buck to Andrew's favourite charity, the odd user who comes across the work via Bit Torrent (or a friend) might just feel like "buying me a coffee" (an acquaintance runs an excellent photography website; this is his way of asking for donations). By the time ST for GST comes out, we will have spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours. And your comment re. workshops is spot on too: that is where we do make money. Some context here:

CraigM (MH) would probably chime in here and say "Middle Way" is the preferred way (if he were not running one of his retreats presently). My perspective is that I want to get our informations out there to the widest possible audience, but that living and operating in a capitalist culture means that we have to operate within its constraints; this means we need to make money. My middle way is to adopt DRM-free, and low cost. Everyone who gets hold of any of the programs can get a feel of how we work, and some might come to a workshop, where we can work together. CraigR's position is my position:

More exposure via these programs should potentially lead to more people registering for workshops and even requests for new workshops in new locations.

And I agree with Haplix's comment too: spreading the word is the best possible help you can give (and though I am not in this for the money, we still have to pay the bills!).

[Riku Calderón]

I just don't think that the programs should be that cheap at first place.

1. If we all want the best service then the video programs should be at least decent money makers. This way there is better motivation to do better and better video programs. 25-30 dollars is still cheap as...

2. People tend to give more value on things that they can't buy just walking by.

just my 2 cents.

PS. If live is the way to go. I understand. But for someone who's life work is this massive. It would be great to retire someday having cash flow from internet programs alone.

[Sol Amarpreet]

Agree completely with Kit's post above. I would never miss a chance to attend his workshop after seeing his stuff on youtube and here on the forums. Its like people get aware about Kit and his work and would feel that they would get their money's worth by investing in Kit

[Tris]

My understanding is that selling digital products on the Internet - with extremely low overheads per unit sold, available on a platform with an almost infinite supply of leads - changes how to sell in a very big way. The relationship between price point and overall profits is no longer linear.

In many cases, halving the price of your product can triple your sales, which boosts your bottom line. In this case, everyone wins: the seller makes more money overall, the buyer pays less for the product experience, and the buyers who would not have bought at the higher price get to enjoy the value of the product.

You can see this with what e-reader sales have done for book publishing. Selling an ePub for $3 instead of the $20-30 physical book might mean your profit per sale is half, or a third, or even less. But, the increased sales often more than make up for that loss. And it's not just the Western world - consider globalisation, where areas of the world with weaker currencies (and LOTS of people) suddenly have access to the book (because it's 10% of the price). For example, imagine if Kit's work became a household name in India and China, where yoga and stretching are part of the culture. They wouldn't pay as much for a program with their yuan and rupees, but if it's a few dollars, that's a LOT of potential sales! (Although, maybe they laugh at us tight, stiff white people that we need programs like this!)

Perceived value is indeed a big thing, and it is particularly important with information products. But I think Kit builds value with his phenomenal "pre-sell" (the ability to show people you are valuable, and build their trust, before you try to sell them anything) mainly through his YouTube presence. Many of us here in the form would see $3-4 as undervalued, as we would pay 10x for these programs. But this forum, the "inner circle of ST" will very quickly become a small minority of overall sales. I predict it's the explosion of casual users, where that lower price matters, that will determine how much money is made from these programs. Then again, if Kit/Liv just split even with the programs and their only financial return is to promote seminars, that's cool too.

[Sol Amarpreet]

Thats a really good analysis Tris especially how Kit builds value part. Since I am from India I would like to highlight that Indians being flexible is something of a past. like ancient culture. The average Indian today is stiffer than the western world. Yoga is more popular amongst the general population of the western world than it is there in India. Its like the average Indian spends more time on smartphones and technology than they work on their bodies. If more Indians were doing yoga you would have seen the results in Olympics etc. There is a big lack of motivation amongst the general populace with a few exceptions that you see on youtube etc.

Anyways the main problem for us is that we cannot purchase anything online. The Indian govt has these regulations that has made it such a pain. You need a credit card for puchases from foreign vendors which the young never have. Even the working class have little need of them considering most of the POS in the country have no credit/debit card machines plus people don't like to buy stuff on credit here. Most of the people have debit cards but according to regulations you cannot buy stuff with them online unless it's an Indian retailer.(Some securecode thing theve implemeted) Hence no money is spent on even Google Play or Apple App store due to lack of a credit card.

No clue about China though

[Tris]

Thanks Sol.

Since I am from India I would like to highlight that Indians being flexible is something of a past. like ancient culture. The average Indian today is stiffer than the western world. Its like the average Indian spends more time on smartphones and technology than they work on their bodies.

Oh...

I do see this, but figured this was isolated to Indian-Australians (who are generally the only Indian people I see).

[Geoff]

What kind of equipment would be helpful to have around for the exercises in the ST for GST programs?

[Kit_L]

sol wrote:

Anyways the main problem for us is that we cannot purchase anything online.

Sol, does this apply to Paypal, too? Paypal is all we use (and the reason is partly what you mention; and as far as we can tell from here, PP does solve some of the problems you mention. Please let me know what we wold have to offer (in the way of what we can do in our interface) to make these products available in your market; if it can be done, we will do it (including differential prices, too, if necessary).

@Riku: sincerely, I appreciate your sentiments. i always say on workshops "we accept tips and gratuities!" (but no one has ever tipped me!). One day I hope to have a really rich student whose aim in life is to help me, but this is just a fantasy too. I think everyone knows what sort of quality to expect (and that is technically/content-wise better than the best of the YouTube clips). I have made a decision to go inexpensive and DRM free in order to get this stuff out to the widest possible audience, and it's a big world out there.

Unlike many internet 'experts', we have solid content and have been in this game for a very long time. I do understand what you say re. people can have a tendency to ignore if a product is too cheap, but that's a risk I am prepared to take. And you all can help to spread the word, once you have the programs in hand. Out editor has started cutting the first program already. Cheers and thanks.

[AndeL]

It's not my aim in life (don't have that many written down or developed), but I think we all do want to help you LOL.

Kit, what would you do if you had the money? Big topic I guess.

Thanks for sharing your fantasy, truly AWESOME.

scary edit: and maybe you weren't talking about money. Then your fantasy is close to reality. What is holding you back?? ah it is about the money...

[agmemon10]

One day I hope to have a really rich student whose aim in life is to help me, but this is just a fantasy too.

Kit, you have my word, when I make it big time, I'll do this for you on condition that you make me your disciple, hahaha

[Kit_L]

To all disciples, present and future! There will be no disciples, ever!

Kit, what would you do if you had the money? Big topic I guess.

The main one is that I would fly business class and use that time to sleep. Second is that I would hire the best people I find to do all the tech. work re. the many programs I want to make; the money would assist in getting the tools out there, where they belong: in the hands of people who need them. Third, I would set up a foundation (am I allowed to use that word? Just kidding) to help any really promising student really learn this system at a deep level.

Some back story: Miss O and I have just started the process that will lead to a medium-size two story house in Greenwell Point (pretty much due East of Nowra); it's on almost an acre (50m x 70m block with lots of casurinas, my favourite tree, sound-wise). GP is surrounded by Jervis Bay marine park; many surf beaches, 27 oyster farms, etc., etc. We will be running residentials there next year to train/mentor promising students (we have not made this public yet, but this will be the route for Stretch Therapy practitioners, from now on). Stretch teacher will be step one. With a foundation backing us, this process could be expanded, and partial scholarships provided. Partial, because everyone needs to 'have skin in the game' in my view.

These residentials will feature our most talented teachers (DaveW, MH, Cherie, GraemeS, Miss O, others being developed, and me) teaching all the stuff that they personally are most talented at—the ground floor has 3m ceilings, and is a big, open room, designed for this purpose. And as the VOD grows in reach, all suitable teaching sessions will be recorded and made available. And on that note, I really would like to put effort and energy into the problems Sol mentioned above: the infrastructure restrictions to knowledge being promulgated. And if that problem ca't be solved, I will send Sol (or anyone else that can't buy our stuff, or anyone who can't afford it, for that matter) the promo code that allows the program to be downloaded free. It has never been about the money for me; money is just one of the tools we need.

Personally, I don't spend money on anything but camera and sound gear (and since the mirrorless revolution, that's small money, typically). I drive an old car (a turbocharged Forester, beautifully maintained mechanically, because it was cheap, and I love the way it drives). Many of the T-shirts I wear are gifts from friends, or ones I have bought because I believe in the messages (like yesterday's Zen one: "I bring absolutely NOTHING to the table!"). I cook most of the meals we eat at nighttime, and I love cooking, so that's a pleasure. I don't need anything else; we almost own our house, and we will sell it when Greenwell Point is finished (later this year). I would spend more time on retreat; I find this the best way to supercharge my health.

As I get older, friends and relationships are the aspects of living I value the most. As Steve Maxwell said in an interview recently (Dave posted a link on another thread) most people work in a job they hate, to buy things they don't need, and once they have accumulated enough of these unnecessary things, they worry about how they are going to hold on to them. They while away each day until the day they can actually do what they want to do—and when retirement day comes, and they can actually do what they want to do, they find they can't physically do it. Crazy stuff, when you think about it.

I am doing what I want to do, right now, and have been doing it for 40-odd years. Money would simply help more people to do what they want to do, too. Thanks for asking that; very helpful for me.

[AndeL]

Very good. Shame you don't live in Adelaide, my mate has been dreaming about this place...

www.realestate.com.au/property-other-sa-kuitpo-7623947

Yes, happy with your direction. Keeping the infrastructure 'tidy' unlike Kuitpo will help with the focus.

Edited May 10, 2014 by AndrewL