This Saturday in Edinburgh – Jonathan Lewis, Physiotherapist, Movement Strength and Conditioning coach is teaching alongside Keith Openshaw of Mad Dog Functional Training Sytems the first of a series of workshops they have written for fitness professionals, physiotherapist, sports therapists, osteopaths and chiropractors. Flow Restoration – Kettlebells for Injury Rehabilitation is a 1 day introduction to the subject (though its a subject that you could fill an MSc with).

For an overview of the workshop take a look at the Simple Strength website, our hosts in Edinburgh this Saturday. http://simplestrength.com/workshops-2/

This workshop wil be running in London and the East Midlands soon so if you are interestred in knowing more please contact either Jonathan or Keith.

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.

Days of sled dragging lay ahead, across this shifting landscape

Rupert Goodwin has been connected to Balance for many years now – he has had some tough times and has overcome them. Now he has a daunting challenge ahead of him that was taken on voluntarily!

Rupert's London training involved kettlebells, sandbags, mobility, rowing and copious tyre dragging

Ruperts preparations have been thorough but as with most living in London he has had to deal with the stresses of a his career, long hours and business travel. His physical training has included sandbag training, kettlebell conditioning, bodyweight drills, concept rower intervals and a few efforts on the “Deadmill”.

Apart from setting himself a personal challenge of a lifetime Rupert is doing this with the added incentive of raising some money for 2 wonderful charities.

Rupert pulling his sled on sand dunes in the Netherlands with his Dutch team mates

Please support Rupert in this great adventure by giving to Down’s South and HemiHelp, two wonderful charities that help families with children with Down’s Syndrome and or Hemiplegia – they are local and make a direct and very positive impact. Special children with special needs and their parents need help and support. These charities offer practical help and therapy – to families and especially to the children who need it.

These are the Just Giving sites you can use to support these two very worthy local childrens charities:

Down’s South: http://www.justgiving.com/Rupert-von-Eisenhart-Goodwin0
HemiHelp: http://www.justgiving.com/Rupert-von-Eisenhart-Goodwin-HH

Best wishes to Rupert from everyone at Balance.

Balance Performance #Running Clinic info: http://bit.ly/cp1Oe5 our expertise goes beyond high quality rehab and the Alter-G, we do PBs too!

We have long catered for runners – from novice marathoners to elite and professional runners – but we have refocussed some of our existing services and changed the structure some to better cater for a runners requirements. Early feedback is very positive.

We hope London’s runners, triathletes and recreational marathoners will see that Balance is a place to get expert advice on getting personal bests not just high quality rehabilitation.

Click here for the Running Clinic page

Saturdays 1.30-2.30pm – cost £10

Location: Strength and Conditioning Studio @ Balance, 113 Gauden Road, Clapham North, Lambeth, London, SW4 6LE.

This Saturday Balance is very excited to have boxing back on our timetable of quality physical training sessions. This is not boxercise, cardiokick or any other fitness industry invention – this is boxing.

Boxing training, apart from being a useful way of improving boxing skills is excellent for overall health and fitness,  conditioning for other sports or disciplines, develops agility, co-ordination and confidence.

The coach is Dennis Ricketts who has been involved in boxing for 25 years and is enthusiastic as ever about the sport and what it offers its participants (whether they have a desire to compete or not). As an amateur he was Royal Navy Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

Dennis holds credentials as an ABA Coach, Professional Boxing trainer/second and has additional knowledge and experience in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Dennis will also be available for personal boxing training before and after the class.

We have known Dennis here at Balance for many years as he has been a regular user of our gym and studio, giving our heavy bag a serious pounding and putting significant mileage on our speed rope.

Any questions give us a call – 02076272308.

BBC Science Reporter Victoria Gill’s article is linked to below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8483401.stm

It describes research that came to the obvious conclusion that if you give a human the chance to take the path of least resistance they will take it, even if the consequences are a down turn in long term efficiency. Well thats my interpretation, but to be true to the article here is the opening paragraph:

Wearing cushioned running shoes may have changed the way in which many of us run, new research suggests.

Using slow-motion footage, scientists have discovered that experienced barefoot runners land very differently from runners who wear shoes.

The researchers showed that runners who have trained barefoot tend to strike the ground with their forefoot or mid-foot, rather than their heel.

At Balance we often talk about taking a long term perspective and discourage our clients from looking for the short term quick fix  (whether to be pain free without concern for recurrence, getting fit, getting strong, losing weight, making money etc) but as with all aspects of life its a lot more complicated when you think it through. So once you have read this article dont throw your trainers in the bin and hit Battersea Park for a barefoot 10k using the pose running technique – at least not straight away. There are several more possibilities avaialable to you.

Have a read and if you’d like to share your opinion or ask ours  get in contact with one of the team Paula (author of Running Repairs ), Mick Habgood (podiatrist and running orthotic specialist), Raph (an experienced physio in international athletics and many a “minimal shoe” runner), Frances (triathlon specialist and G-trainer expert) or Sian (currently researching MBT footwear at clinics across London). You can also contact Jonathan (the blog writer) who will happily discuss evolution, sociology, the weakening of human kind and how to prevent it! Send an email by clicking this highlighted link: Contact Page

Mick and Paula will be adding their comments here soon.

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

Mick and Graham "working" and forging links in Chamonix

If you are serious about strength and conditioning you really should attend a high quality kettlebell workshop. If you are a “kettlebell coach” you really MUST train on a workshop of international standing with a solid curriculum: the IKFFs CKT- Certified Kettlebell Teacher – is one such workshop.

Details are below but if you have questions on the workshop feel free to contact IKFF UK Directors:

Jonathan Lewis on 07960861267 or 02076272308,

or Rannoch Donald of Kettlebells Scotland at: rannoch@simplestrength.com

London, England – March 13 – 14, 2010

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!

Just read a well balanced article from the New York Times on self-massage products. The journalist has consulted a number of sources including sports massage consumers, foam roller users, a triathlon coach, an Ironman triathlete and chiropractor, author of “Self-Massage for Athletes” Rich Poley, and the founder and creator of Trigger Point Performance Therapy products Cassidy Phillips.

The article is based around the following: “Devices for self-massage have become more common as more people compete in endurance sports and, more recently, as the recession has made professional rubdowns look prohibitively expensive. Trainers usually recommend a massage every week or every other week for people who are training for a marathon or triathlon, but the costs do add up: according to the American Massage Therapy Association, the average price of a massage is $63 an hour.”

The article’s quote from TPT founder Cassidy Phillips puts self massage and going to see a professional masseur in the context of oral hygiene. “You brush away some plaque yourself,” he said, “but you still go to the dentist for a thorough cleaning.”

Here’s the article:  http://bit.ly/8lUYu2
click for the Self-massage and Trigger Point range from Balance.

Ultimate 6 package - part of Balance's range of self-massage products