Time for [motivationmonday]! Kara works hard each and every class and always smiles through the pain! I feel so much more comfortable talking about others than myself. But when Sarah asked me if I would share how I came to solidcore and what I get out of it, I could not resist. I grew up playing team sports so never understood the purpose of running unless there was a ball, stick, etc. involved. Sadly college ended, I started law school (like so many others in dc) and realized that running -- which could be done at any time, any place, without equipment/teammates -- was a needed outlet. Many people run to think or process. My mind and body work differently. My mind is processing all day long so when I work out it shuts off, and just lets me be. Running (with music in my walkman (yes, I am that old) then IPod and now IPhone) served as my release for nearly the next 15 years. Then when I approach (and passed... ssshhh...) 40 [EGAD!], my body stopped cooperating. My hips started to hurt. I was beleaguered by plantar fasciitis. I needed a new challenge. A new outlet that would push without damaging my body. I started to do yoga, which I still enjoy, but one-hour-and-thirty-minute classes, across town, are hard to fit into my busy schedule. One day at yoga, I heard a few fitness gurus raving about solidcore. One, who is in much better shape than I, told me that the class was amazing, one of the hardest athletic challenges she has faced to date. She explained that there would be times in class where she would look in the mirror and see tears streaming down her face, yet each time it was over, she wanted to go back for more. The next day, I went online, signed up for a Sunday evening class in late April, and the rest is history. As with running, when I am in class, my processing-mind shuts off. I am completely closed to the stresses of life and work, and just focused on the task at hand. The workout is both inspiring and humbling all at the same time, and most importantly, every time I am in class. What makes solidcore so special? The coaches -- not only who they are but how they teach. When I take the time to think about it, I am amazed how the coaches prepare for class, ensemble the exercises in the perfect order -- finding that balance between pushing us out of our comfort zone, yet not breaking our spirits, and keeping us moving and engaged for the entire 50 minutes. Every single class. It really is a gift; a special skill. Without such dedicated and motivational leaders, the experience would be dismal. (Definitely not one I would pay for.) Instead, it is addictive. The culture and community also remind me a lot of my team sport days. The team members taking the class, come from different backgrounds for different reasons, but for those 50 minutes each day we are propelling each other to do more, just by showing up and trying -- be it one more rep, staying on our toes, sitting lower in the squat/lunge, etc. I still remember how encouraging the two women on either side of me were my first class, and I still get that feeling from regulars and newbies during class now. How do I know solidcore works? For one, it pushed me to try new things. Growing up with practice in the afternoon, I became accustomed to afternoon/evening workouts. You could not pay me to get out of bed and workout in the morning. But because of my unpredictable workday, evening workout plans often get sidelined for more pressing matters. With the help of some very energetic and fun coaches, music to focus my mind on something other than whatever muscle is failing, and the cancellation fee, I have been able to switch up my routine and I actually now prefer the morning workout. Second, I now get a full body workout. I never used to lift weights or doing anything with my upper body. Solidcore also made me realize that I wasnt as strong as I thought. I used to think my legs could move mountains. Then in about my fourth solidcore class, Alex introduced me to one-legged squats. I couldnt lower my body even an inch. I was shocked! I was only using the thigh muscle and getting nowhere. Through the cues of the coaches, I am now able to use the right muscles and do the move at least better than before! The exercises and classes never get easy. Rather than plateau, you learn the moves better, learn to use the proper muscles, and then also learn adaptations -- each level offering its own new challenge. Maybe that is why it is so addictive. No two classes are exactly the same. And your body will never be the same either....
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:58:33 +0000
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