Physical Subculture

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Hi. Welcome to 2008. Let’s eschew the big “go get ‘em, Tiger” speeches, since most of you are smarter than the resolution trend and have already made important life decisions like making movement a key component of your daily diet of goodness. But, even when ignoring time-honored mistakes, like the faulty resolve of January 1st promises, there is still a buffet of fun to be had, and there’s nothing wrong with letting a little chronological bench mark push us forward a little.

So 2008 can be the year of getting silly. Chapter 10 of Lift With Your Head has some ideas. Here’s a snippet…
PLAY

Why do we, as adults, deny ourselves recess, that childish ritual which invokes the kid’s right to get his or her play on? Is it because we honestly believe that only the young should play, as if imagination, adventure, movement and fun on a daily basis are things we grow out of? A case could be made for this by observing adult play, where senses, thoughts and/or reactions are numbed by chemicals (not enhanced, let’s not make that mistake), competition is emphasized over fun, spontaneity is rarely the maiden of the adventure, and slug-like participation in movement makes a room of people look like a Rodin exhibit, if he sculpted rotund figures at computer tables.

Here’s a utopian dream: Imagine a daily ritual where, at regular circadian intervals, we had to be less serious. The daily workday has regular recess intervals, where hierarchal lines of employment and power are reinvented or obliterated on the playing field through play ability and physical enjoyment. We’re allowed to be silly, goofy, playful. We’re allowed to throw things, catch things, run after things, jump, scream and dance. For 15 minutes twice a day and a 10 minute bonus after lunch.

Do you PLAY when you workout? Or do you practice some form of sameness? There is no fun in practiced math for most of us, yet the average workout is like a Sesame Street counting lesson, but without the fun, colors, animation or dancing puppets (unless you are at a TRULY unique gym). Simply meeting a rep requirement is more akin to a daily Huxlean agenda rather than inspiration or play.

‘But that’s what all the magazines say to do,’ you shout. Exercise A times Set and Rep Scheme B equal flat tummy and lifted tush. It has to be… IT SAYS SO!

Yep, and it has said so for years, the same article rehashed over and over, yet find me one person that has made any real progress from a magazine program, especially if ‘progress’ means an increase in the quality of life, the ability to PLAY!.

Peter Rothbart and Lulu, in love.

So let this be the year to be that kid you used to know who is still hiding in there somewhere. Let yourself “feel goofy, possibly even embarrassed. A 7-year old kid wouldn’t think twice about how they looked, they’d just have FUN.”

NEWS
Forget everything I’ve ever preached, taught or ranted about. My new direction of training can be summed up with this simple video. After that, what is there left to learn?
Winter Strength Camp is almost upon us! We’ll see some familiar faces as well as some new; friends joining us again to teach and learn and share ideas. My itinerary will be considerably expanded from our last big Gathering of the Tribes. We’ll get a little weirder and work a little harder and expand further on ideas that can be used right away, but will last a lifetime.

Other news: keep an eye out for expanded Bodytribe hours. We’re seeing how far we can keep push the open gym hours in both directions without killing ourselves.

We’re also creating an actual class schedule, creating group workouts at regular intervals throughout the week. We’ll be implementing a second membership option with this increased schedule. So besides just the regular open gym membership we’ll be offering a class membership, which will not only allow you to use the gym on your own, but join any of the available group workouts n the new schedule. The ain’t your momma’s aerobics classes. In fact they may look a little like any of the workouts posted on our YouTube Channel.

We’re to be hitting the snow soon, gents and ladies; some ski trips are in the planning stages. If you’re interested in joining us for some snow play, please let me know!

Second Saturday News:  This month will be a fun, contemplative installation by Ryan Seng.  Be sure to come visit!!

Happy New Year, and let’s have some fun.