Art of Balance

I see you have returned Grasshopper. I have given you extra time to complete your assignment. How did you do?
Find any negative patterns?
What weaknesses did you uncover?
What have you done to correct your imbalances?

For myself I have uncovered a few weaknesses in the kinetic chain that need to be addressed. Luckily, or unluckily depending on your view, my active participation in sports, both contact and non contact, combined with the ballistic nature of Renegade workouts allow weakness to be readily apparent. Starting today I have turned my focus in strengthening the T-8, T-9 region of the back (middle, upper) along with a need to address areas around the first rib and transition points of the neck. To strengthen these areas I will add in a few isolation exercises to compliment my compound movements. For example: on days that I do not include jump shrugs in my workouts I will include another version of shrugs done at a prehab rep range of 12. I also plan on doing isometric neck movements daily with plans to slowly incorporate weighted flexion movements. To target the upper/middle back region I will insure my workouts include one or more of the following: pull-ups, chin-ups, rope climbing, heavy bag work, and/or bent over rows. All work will of course be done with Perfect Posture. As with any weakness or injury I am prepared for a minor set back now and then. Look at re-habing or strengthening your weaknesses like walking. Two steps forward, one back. Three steps forward, one back. Four steps forward….you get the point. Don’t get discouraged or expect an overnight miracle. Just keep a positive attitude and keep at it and your Art of Balance shall proceed stroke by stroke.
Easy, right Grasshopper? Now what is your excuse?

Ahh Grasshopper, are you ready for step 3 towards the Ultimate Handstand?
I knew you were. Lets pick up at the end of step 2 and resume the wall balance handstand position. This time I want you to ease your legs back so only your toes are in contact with the wall. Feel it in the arms and hands? Look at those wrists working, beautiful. Now take one foot completely off the wall, but be sure to keep the knee locked and outstretched. Got it? Can you take the other foot away from the wall now too? Practice this Art of Balance daily and I will return next week for step 4.

Heavyweights? Please.....

The Heavyweights, I repeat, The Heavyweights?
Give me a break! This “feared” tandem is maybe, I repeat, maybe weighs a combined 250lbs soaking wet.
How is this even a competition?
How can I take this match seriously?
Are we supposed to wrestle these guys with one arm tied behind are backs?
Perhaps on our knees?
While the last match had me thinking of moves to do on such a wide variety of opponents ranging from 180 to 400 pounds, now I am thinking of moves not to do. I see myself pretty much doing whatever I please during this match. The only obstacle will be keeping it interesting to my fans for longer than thirty seconds, which I will certainly find a way.

Let us see how wrestling columnist Justin Ayers see’s this “Tag Team Attraction.”
“Two teams as different as you can get, will be pitted against each other on April 5.The young Heavyweights (Sean Royal & Dan Eckos) are very much looking forward to the opportunity to collide with Leather N Lace (J. J. Crew Guy & Hot Shot Mike Reed).At our last event, The Heavyweights had a devastating loss at the hands of the 848 pound Nigerian Nightmares. It was lucky they made it out of the arena alive. But on April 5, the Heavyweights face another team who are considerably smaller that the Nigerians, but they are still a lot larger than the youngsters and a whole lot stronger and more experienced. The Heavyweights need this win over Leather N Lace to redeem themselves after their recent loss. Hot Shot Mike Reed and J. J. Crew Guy where brought together a few months ago and have been on a roll ever since. They have size, power and most of all experience, which makes them a great tag team combination. They have a sadistic attitude and the brains of manager Sebastian Night guiding them, which makes them DANGEROUS!In looking at this match scheduled for April 5, it could be quite entertaining. Leather N Lace have one thing on their mind….that is…..a PATH TO THE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS…..The Heavyweights want to regain the status they once held in the ECWA and their minds are set on a PATH TO THE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS.One team brings all the attributes that it takes to dominate in this match, but the other much smaller team brings DETERMINATION and HEART.The Heavyweights have fought all the odds before and pulled out many surprise victories in the past and they will be looking to do so on April 5. Standing in their way is the larger and more experienced team of Leather N Lace. Will size, power and experience pull it all together again for the Crew Guy N The Hot Shot, or will the speed and agility of The Heavyweights cause Leather N Lace to try and keep up the pace?”

Determination and Heart? Give me a break. Not a chance. That heart will be broken, stomped on and slung upon the entire front row before the night is out.
Take this one to the bank Leather and Lace fans, we can keep up the pace.
Six rounds of GPP with some rope work and sprints will definitely see to that.
See you all there for the slaughter!
http://ecwaprowrestling.com/main/index.html


Ahh Grasshopper you have returned.
The Crouch Balance Mastered you say?
Good, we shall move you to the weeping meadows for step two towards the “Ultimate Handstand”
Best to find a tree. Place hands about a foot and a half from the trunk. Splay them fingers like I instructed last week. Keep all your fingers slightly bent. Left leg should be straight, right leg bent under (knee under stomach).
Raise your head as far as possible and move shoulders forward so the weight is taken from your legs and transferred over the arms.
Note: Head position is very important.
Push yourself forward with the left legs, raising both legs in the air. Do so with enough speed so they will fall forward against the tree trunk. A pillow should be placed just forward of your head in case you lose balance.
Do several dozen times throughout the day grasshopper, but do not over do. Patience, Grasshopper, patience

One Handed Handstand, Old School Style

How cool is the one handed handstand?
How much cooler would it be to curl up, dip the chest slowly till it touches the floor then slowly, with control, press up into a two handed handstand? After holding the two handed handstand for a spell, shift your weight to one side and raise the opposing limb upwards so you are poised on a single arm?
Pretty damn cool I would dare say.

Want to know how? Read on Grasshopper.

Want to know what brought this on? Answer: MTV.
While I am not a big fan of MTV, I do have to say I am quite entertained with the show “America’s Best Dance Crew.” If you get a chance you would do well to check it out, especially the JabbaWockeez hip hop timeline. While the “Ultimate Handstand” is not performed as I described above it can be seen often in the form of “Freeze’s.”
This Thursday marks the finals for this season, but it was last weeks “battles” you really want to check out. They are re-running it several times through the day leading up to the finals as this is one of those text your vote deals and they certainly want to elicit as many votes as possible.
Even if you are not a fan of hip-hop or dancing the flexibility, agility, and athleticism exhibited are quite remarkable. I am still in awe at the head spin done in the last battle leading up to the finals. Mind blowing!
Check it out, it gets the JJCrewguy seal of approval.
Who knows next season we may even see Renegade Training’s own Grant lead a crew into competition. Hmmm….. I wonder if Jory or Moody can break dance? What about you Doyle? Coach? Did Grant instruct you in the fine arts?

Ahh Grasshopper you wish to rise to the Mountain’s Summit?
A one handed handstand you say? A Freeze? The Ultimate?
Walk through cut grass before you fly over the meadow young cricket-san. Implement the Crouch Balance daily.

Return only when mastered:


The Crouch Balance:
This training maneuver will help strengthen the wrists and arms. Only when these are properly strengthened can you hope to support and then adjust your bodyweight cricket-san. Only then will you be powerful enough…..
Crouch down, place hands flat on floor (about a foot in front of knees), splay fingers out with index pointing straight ahead. Brace inner thighs against elbows and slowly lean forward putting your full weight on the wrists and hands. Head position should be forward and upward. The maneuver will resemble a tripod, but knees are outside elbows not on top and head is off the ground not on.
Practice till perfect. Return then.