On May 29th Jonathan Lewis and Keith Openshaw (Mad Dog Functional Training Systems) are teaching the a workshop in Edinburgh which will be the first of a series “Flow Restoration”. The Edinburgh workshop is “Flow Restoration – Kettlebells for Injury Rehabilitation”. If you are a physiotherapist/personal trainer/strength and conditioning coach or any other professional wanting to know more than contact Jonathan at Balance or Rannoch Donald begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting in Edinburgh http://simplestrength.com/

But was it is flow?

Flow can equally be a mental state as it is a physical expression. It is seamless transitions from one posture to the next, one sequence of movement to next, a change in direction, a shift in energy systems. Flow ultimately becomes completely smooth and unconscious. Keith Openshaw writes in the workshop manual about the mental state of flow “several terms can give its meaning such as ‘super clarity’ being ‘in the zone’ or ‘totally psyched’ but flow is a way of ‘lifting you from ordinary to optimal’ “.

Our workshop will not go anywhere close to teaching what is demonstrated below but its a great piece of footage showing how humans can flow. However whatever level you are at when flow is interrupted through injury a system is required to restore what has been lost.

Updated news piece on main site:  http://bit.ly/cxTTQj

Mick and Graham "working" and forging links in Chamonix

Cj (Cj’s Fitness) and Sabina Skala (Gym Jones protege) are back in action at Balance every Saturday for this conditioning circuit style class (Londons Best!).

Saturday, 12.15-13.15pm

“Kettlebells, sandbags, medicine balls, free weights, the works! Get fit (or die trying!)

Its here at Balance, London SW4 6LE (60 seconds from Clapham North Tube Station, 60 seconds from Clapham High Street Overground Station).

TEXT CJ to get the class concession price of £10 or turn up on day at £15.

+447903210510

Bring a friend, share the burden!

PS. Next week Dennis Ricketts will be starting a new Boxing Class at Balance, 1.30pm every Saturday. This isnt Boxercise! this is an experienced coach teaching technique and working you out.

All welcome you dont have to be experienced just enthusiastic!

Although Asics are not the only running shoes we recommend we do stock a range of Asics running shoes for men and women because they are a company that puts design before fashion and we tend to find that a large percentage of our client’s biomechanics suit Asics trainers. Mick Habgood the running specialist podiatrist at Balance has his own recommended shoe list that he and the team use when the time comes to address having the right equipment in a good state of repair. We are exploring ways in which ALL of our clients can get hold of the shoes on the list quickly and easily in the right size!

Great video below on the evolution of Asics…

Urban freeflow "Glyph"

Excellent news…Balance Performance Physiotherapy is now working with the world class athletes of the Urban Freeflow team. We will be taking care of the pro team’s injuries, guiding rehabilitation, and providing our strategies for recovery and minimising the effects of impact and joint stress.

“I think working with the pro athletes of Urban Freeflow will see the Balance team working with some of the best all round athletes out there. Looking forward to keeping them in the game and firing on all cylinders.”

If you somehow missed out on what Parkour is start by watching the video we have in the Athletic Movement section on this site “Parkour  – Line team traceur”

The editor from extreme sports and lifestyle magazine “Cooler” came down to Balance just before Christmas to take a look at the G-trainer.

Several extreme sports athletes have been taking advantage of the technology and it will be great to see more adventurers spending some time on the G-trainer to get themselves back in action faster after a snowboard injury, other big slams,  or heighten their fitness for a winter surf tour (I’m talking to you Mat!). If you are a boarder of any kind drop me a line and find out how it can work for you and then come and try it out for yourelf.

Take a look at the Cooler Mag article in its full glory then take a look around if you dont know the magazine. It has some great features on extreme sports athletes and destinations.

this is an excellent video of Rachel Atherton (downhill mountain bike racer) and her brothers in action – very funny! Farmer Jack and the Athertons

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH – December 16th
Location: Balance (London Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic)

Thanks to all who came along and contributed to a satisfying morning session of training – a deck of cards bodyweight circuit and 30 minutes introducing kettlebell juggling to those that havent and trying a few new things for those that have juggled before.

There are many examples on the internet of workouts based around a deck of cards. You turn the top card and the card that shows tells you what exercise and how many reps you do.

There are some people who have made specific packs of cards with specific exercises on them.

Yesterday we went a bit more freestyle and allowed a random bodyweight session to unfold. We took it in turns to turn the card and select the exercise based on the menu below.

Either way it was going to be challenging but the randomness and collective input made for a great session.

Here’s how we put it together…..

Repetitions:
Joker = 50 reps any exercise

Aces = 20 reps

Picture cards (jack, queen, king) = 10 reps

Numbered cards = numbers on cards (!!!)

PICTURE CARDS = pick a total body drill, and decide whether reps are per side or total

· Burpee (any variation)
· Get up (any variation)
· Bridges (gymnastic/ju jitsu)
· Bear crawls (and variations)

RED = upper body

· Hindu PUP
· Handstand
· Plyo PUP (including catch press from crouch)
· Dips
· Pull ups

BLACK = lower body

· Squat
· Step back stay low
· Jump squats
· Drop squats
· Lateral hop jumps

We had 3 jokers in the pack – the joker cards were used for 50 burpees, 50 brazilian ju jitsu style get ups, 50 situps (V- situps for the stupid ones).

It was a demanding session involving over 600 reps. If any of this doesnt make sense call or email me and i shall explain what we did in more detail.

We recovered a short while, then went though some kettlebell juggling. Some good style was on show, particularly in the footwork which enabled us to avoid broken toes and ankles!

Then the usual suspects went for chicken.

Next session January 19th, 4-6pm