Thread: February Cross Training Reports

so how goes the cross training everybody?

my shoulders are definitely more flexible from the yoga. we did some breathing exercises in yoga class that i've permanently incorporated into my pre-show warm up because they are so centering.

what about you?

Ive been working on my upper body strength, had a rotten shoulder injury a couple of years ago and Ive now got the upper body strength of a kitten! Been using light weights and yoga, Im already seeing an improvement. Also go to step, weights and combat classes at the gym. Been trying really hard to improve overall fitness which already seems to be helping my dance.

I've got a bruise on my back the size of a saucer thanks to doing hundreds of improperly executed leg raises in Karate. Tt seems to be a commonality in martial arts - do the exercises as quickly as possible to increase your bad-assedness regardless of whether or not you are working the muscles the exercises are supposed to work. So yes - hugely bruised back from all the rocking (seriously - bent-knee rocking was the only way to keep up with the speed with which the Sensei was counting the reps...EVERYONE was doing them that way), and no lower ab workout whatsoever.

Fortunatly, the rest of the conditioning workout in Karate is good.

Also, yay for the Jillian Michaels DVDs! I've been using her 'No More Trouble Zones,' 'Burn Fat Boost Metabolism,' and '30 Day Shred' DVDs as part of my cross training for a couple of months, and yesterday my instructor said that my abs look like they're budding a six-pack! I don't think I'll ever get to full 6-pack, but I will admit that my abs are looking pretty freaking fine. Michaels' circuit training DVDs are really excellent.

Aside from that, I've started physio for the piriformis, and that is rather frustrating. On one hand, the ongoing sciatic pain has decreased (halleujia!) but on the other hand I've lost some flexibility in my left hamstring because I have to be careful not to overstretch it.

Weight training in a boot camp setting continues--as my upper body gets stronger, I'm also getting more flexible through my pecs and shoulders YAAAY!
This is definitely coming through in my ability to maintain a lifted, open posture when dancing. My teacher has complimented on the new strength and power in my moves.