Master Your Body: The Power Of Flow Part 1

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

The Power Of Flow Part 1

First Off, I hope everyone is doing well, training hard, and staying positive.

THREE WORDS...POWER OF FLOW! I am fascinated with this concept and want to share some inspiring ideas with you. What does flow really mean? Flow is defined as the natural, effortless unfolding of our lives in a way that moves us toward wholeness and harmony. So many people in the media, teachers, therapists, trainers have always conveyed the concept of...allowing yourself to flow...in order to live, to experience, to be happy, etc. One person in particular that touched and embraced this concept until the end of his life was that of Bruce Lee. He believed in constant flow...to not control a movement or an action, but to allow it to flow naturally. To relax mentally, to allow things to evolve naturally....which would bring great purpose to your life. He continues to inspire so many people with his philosophies....AMAZING! One phrase that sticks out in my mind is what he always instructed his students to do.... "get over the consciousness of themselves."

Bruce Lee believed that you should experiences things for what they are and to not analyze them on how to make the experience better. To learn from each experience as a life lesson...to flow with the experience.
To never be in frontal opposition to any problem, but swing with it. In more detail, he describes his thought process with the concept of WATER. That's right...Water! He observed that water was so malleable that is was impossible to grasp a handful of it and that when he struck it with his fist, it was impossible to hurt. Water is both pure Yin, remained one of the softest, most yielding substances in the world and pure Yang, also capable of penetrating the hardest forms of matter. Calm like a still surface of a pond or turbulent and violent like Niagara Falls.

To be like water, then, is to adapt itself instantly to any obstacle in its path and, by moving at its own pace, begin a natural process of surmounting it. The lesson to be learned here is that if we can learn to flow with adversity, WE WILL EVENTUALLY OVERCOME IT! And it is only through OUR FLOWING WITH LIFE that we are able to adapt and grow. LIFE IS MOVEMENT....and if we cease to flow with it, it passes us by. One of my favorite quotes from Bruce Lee is: "Running water never grows stale. So you've got to just 'keep flowing.'"
Simply let life--with all of its experiences-FLOW THROUGH YOU!

When you allow things to flow in your life, occurrences line up, events fall into place, and obstacles melt away....IT BECOMES YOUR POWER OF FLOW. Flow is DYNAMIC and can make us feel alive. Most of us have experienced the beauty and the power of flow...you are in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing. You feel at peace and connected to something larger and greater than ourselves.

When you learn to make flow a way of life...your world becomes filled with synchronicity- meaningful coincidences in which outside events, seemingly disconnected in time and space, link up with our internal states and connect us with the greater whole. What an amazing process to be in tune and open to all experiences, dreams, and embracing signs that surround you. And by paying attention to these signs, you are able to reach new levels of comprehension about your inner life and your role in the world.

"Synchronicity is lyrical--a little sprite of a surprise, a little gift," described by Charlene Belitz. I absolutely love this thought process. She goes on to state, "it can get so big that everything can start to talk to you; everything can suggest things. HOW POWERFUL IS THAT!!!! Can you think of the times synchronicity has happened in your life? For instance, you could be thinking of someone and minutes later the phone rang with that person on the other end. Here is an interesting one, the same number repeated itself to you at significant times. So you can honestly admit that you have experienced something to this affect...you have been given a taste of this.

In order for you to continuously experience the process, you must allow yourself to flow in your life. Flow responds directly to our beliefs, behaviors, and actions. You must become open, willing, trusting, and allow yourself to experience the beauty and power of flow. And with this experience comes fulfillment and joy.

There are steps to discover, which will allow yourself to flow and embracing what life truly has to offer you. Creating changes in yourself to help your experience of flow, discovering how to be TRUE TO YOURSELF, determining your mission in life and your next step to fulfill it, treating yourself gently and compassionately, enhancing your intuition so that you make better decisions, and stretching yourself and taking risks.
Imagine yourself moving into harmony, oneness....TRUE ALIVENESS.

Live your life with purpose!!!!! FLOW!!!!!
"Try to live freely from moment to moment letting things happen and adjusting to them." -Bruce Lee

With Love,
Dofitness

Belitz, C. The Power of Flow. Pgs. ix-xv.
Little, J. The Warrior Within. Pgs. 26-30, 46-48, 65-67.

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Abdominal Challenge #1

NO REST Between Exercises/Keep hands on your head at ALL TIMES when you perform each Sit-up/Keep your legs bent on all Sit-ups/Watch your form and make sure you engage your belly button AT ALL TIMES/Control your motion and DO NOT USE MOMENTUM!
Unassisted Sit-ups- 10x/Hold #10 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
Core Plank- 30 seconds
Unassisted Sit-ups- 15x/Hold #15 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
Core Plank- 1 minute
Unassisted Sit-ups- 20x/Hold #20 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
Core Plank- 1 minute 30 sec
Unassisted Sit-ups- 25x/Hold #25 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
Core Plank- 2 minutes

Abdominal Challenge #2

DO NOT REST BETWEEN EXERCISES UNLESS IT IS STATED/USE THE SAME RULES FOR ABDOMINAL CHALLENGE #1/Substitute One Crunch + One Sit-up Twist/Twist for Plate Stand-ups if needed/Substitute Roman Chair Leg Raises for Hanging Leg Raises if needed
Medicine Ball Sit-ups (Unassisted)- 25 times/Explosive on the UP- 10 second count on the DOWN/Keep M.B. on your chest AT ALL TIMES
Hanging Bent Leg Raises- 3x15/Rest 10 seconds between sets/DO NOT SWING
Plate Standups/25 times/DO NOT MOVE YOUR FEET/Tempo- Moderate Pace/The lighter the plate the harder the exercise...CHALLENGE/PUSH!
Side Core Plank- Hold 30 seconds/25 Ups and Downs/Do one side at a time
Hanging Straight Leg Raises- 3x15/Rest 10 seconds between sets/DO NOT SWING
Plate Stand-ups + Sit-ups/(2=1) 35 times/DO NOT MOVE YOUR FEET/Tempo- Moderate Pace/The lighter the plate the harder the exercise...CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Side Core Plank- Hold 1 minute/35 Ups and Downs/Do one side at a time

CONDITIONING DRILL #4

In order to MASTER this conditioning drill, each exercise must be performed with perfect form and without STOPPING!

**Be sure that the BURPEES are ALL EXPLOSIVE...JUMP AS HIGH AS YOU CAN AT THE START/LAND IN A LOW PUSH-UP POSITION/EXPLODE BACK UP, LEADING WITH YOUR LEGS

**Make sure that the SQUAT HOLDS ARE LOW (THINK OF AN L-SHAPE/DO NOT LET YOUR BUTT FALL TOO CLOSE TO THE FLOOR)...SIT BACK ON YOUR HEELS AND ALWAYS KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT

1) BURPEES- 15 TIMES
2)LOW SQUAT HOLD (15TH BURPEE)- 10 SECONDS
3) BURPEES- 12 TIMES
4) LOW SQUAT HOLD (12TH BURPEE)- 10 SECONDS
5) BURPEES- 10 TIMES
6) LOW SQUAT HOLD (10TH BURPEE)- 15 SECONDS
7) BURPEES- 8 TIMES
8) LOW SQUAT HOLD (8TH BURPEE)- 15 SECONDS
9) BURPEES- 6 TIMES
10) LOW SQUAT HOLD (6TH BURPEE)- 20 SECONDS
11) BURPEES- 4 TIMES
12) LOW SQUAT HOLD (4TH BURPEE)- 20 SECONDS
13) BURPEE- 2 TIMES
14) LOW SQUAT HOLD (2ND BURPEE)- 20 SECONDS

DEFINITION OF EXERCISES/LANGUAGE IN EXERCISE

1) Straight-legged to Heels-to-Butt Sit-ups- lie flat on the ground with your legs straight and your hands on your head. As you start to do a sit-up bring your heels in to your butt and tap the floor (*the closer the heels come to the butt the harder). As you come out of your sit-up and begin to roll-down straighten out your legs and make sure the heels touch the floor. It should be a smooth, contolled one motion.
2) Burpee In Place-start by jumping straight in the air and then landing in a squat position with hands on the ground. Kick your feet back into the downward position of a push-up. Thrust the feet up and push up with the arms simultaneously.
3) Traveling Forward Burpee- the same concept as the Burpee In Place the only difference is jump forward instead of straight up.
4) Traveling Backward Burpee- the same concept as the Burpee In Place the only difference is jump backward instead of jumping straight up.
5) Burp- also known as a stripped down burpee. Start low and tucked toward the floor. Kick feet out to the bottom portion of a pushup. Then, push with your hands, while thrusting the feet back to the beginnning position (which is low and tucked toward the floor). It is only a half way motion minus without the jump in the air.
6) M.B. or Plate Stand-Ups- lie flat on the ground with your feet planted on the ground. Beginners should use two dumbbells and place on feet. Hold a m.b. or plate over your head (*the heavier the db/plate the easier...the lighter the db/plate or no weight the harder). Quickly move your arms forward and start to sit up. It is very important that you use your arms for momentum and engage your abdominals. Once your arms pass your knees, quickly push forward with your legs, moving into a standing position.
7) Mountain Climbers- start with your body in a push-up plank position. With the hands stationary, alternate the feet back and forth. One leg should be tucked with the knee coming close to your chest and the opposite leg extended. Make sure to place your weight on the balls of the feet.
8) Grasshoppers- your body will begin in the same position you used for mountain climbers. The movement starts by bringing your left foot underneath the body until it touches your right hand. After touching your hand, return the left foot to the starting position and repeat the movement by bringing your right foot across the body to your left hand. You will be on the balls of your feet but when you bring your foot toward your hand you will land on the side of your foot.
9) Wall Sit- place yourself up against a wall and squat down until the thighs are parallel to the floor. Think about forming an L with the bottom portion of your body. Your back is supported against the wall. Hold this position for time. Do not place your hands on your thighs because this takes off the pressure in your legs. Absolutely no movement with this exercise.
10) Bridge- a great exercise that will develop strength and flexibility. It is a static hold that helps improve lower back strength. Start by lying down on the floor with your knees bent and your hands on the floor close to your ears. Lift yourself up with your abdomen pointing upward and with only the hands and the feet on the floor. Your body should create an arched position and you will maintain the upright position for time.
11) Aerobic exercise- means with oxygen. An activity in which demands of muscle for oxygen are met by circulation of oxygen in blood. Distance running, cross-country, skiing, distance cycling are all examples of aerobic activities.
12) Anaerobic Exercise- means without oxygen. Activity in which oxygen demands of muscles are so high that they rely upon an internal metabolic process for oxygen. Short burts of "all-out" activities such as sprinting or weightlifting are examples of anerobic exercises.
13) Burn- also known as "going for the burn." For instance, in endurance exercise, working muscles until lactic acid buildup causes a burning sensation.
14) Concentric- when muscles contract or shorten.
15) Delts- an abbreviation for deltoids, the large triangular muscles of the shoulder which raise the arm away from the body and perform other functions.
16) Eccentric- when muscles lengthen while maintaining tension.
17) Fast-Twitch- refers to muscle cells that fire quickly and are utilized in anaerobic activites like sprinting and powerlifting.
18) Glycogen- can be referred to as a full tank full of stored carbohydrates. Some of it is stored in the liver and some of it is stored in the muscles themselves.
19) Hybrid Lift- is two or more exercise done in one single movement. It is the inverse of a combo lift. For istance, performing a bicep curl while lunging.
20) Interval Training- is a short, high-intensity cardio exercise alternated with longer periods of lower-intensity cardio. It allows you to burn more calories, increase your speed, improve your power, and much more. It is more effective at burning fat while maintaining muscle mass. Combine this type of training with intensity will also increase your metabolic rate to amazing levels. This is because the work you do utilizes a greater percent of the body's muscles.

POWER THOUGHT OF THE DAY

TRADE AFFIRMATION FOR ACCOMPLISHMENT: Accolades fade quickly, but your accomplishments have the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

TRADE IMMEDIATE PLEASURE FOR PERSONAL GROWTH: It takes an oak tree decades to grow, but it takes a squash only weeks. Which do you want to be?

TRADE EXPLORATION FOR FOCUS: The younger you are, the more experimenting you should do. But once you have found what you were created to do, STICK WITH IT!

TRADE QUANTITY OF LIFE FOR QUALITY OF LIFE: Your life is not a dress rehearsal. Give it your best because you won't get another chance.