General
Kettle bell
Jun 11th
The much awaited and anticipated kettle bells are here in the gym. All thanks to my manufacturer who was able to produce these wonderful piece of equipment. Training with kettle bells is turning out be fun and quite a challenge. At the gym many of us are learning certain kettle bell basic lifts: Cleans, Turkish get-up (lunge style), clean and press, bottoms up clean, bottoms up clean and press, etc. These training tools help us in spicing up our routines to an unmatched level. We have a pair of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 kilo kettle bells.
It is surprising to know that innumerable workouts can be executed using a kettle bell, and I repeat that each workout is quite a challenge for it is a great learning experience. It is a very humbling experience when a small piece of equipment tries to fail you to complete the required movement. I had read about kettle bells being good for the core and stabilizers, but it is an altogether a different experience exercising with them.
Another addition to the gym is a pull up bar where we can perform a muscle up. I am making arrangements to attach a gymnastic ring to the pull up bar, for we can perform pull ups, push ups, L hold and few other movements on the rings.
Below is a picture of this training tool. Come join us and be humbled.
Teaching Chinese Students at Dayanand Sagar College.
Jan 20th
I am delighted to express my warmest regards to Dayanand Sagar English teaching staff. It so happened that the Chinese students requested their staff for they wanted someone to guide them through an exercise regime, and the staff apparently requested me to teach them about exercise and also demonstrate various movements which could all be performed at home. I graciously accepted the offer, and as per their request conducted two classes which lasted an hour for two days on the 9th and 10th of December. The first session was all about teaching and explaining to the students with regard to various movements, and when it came to the second session it was extraordinarily entertaining, as we requested the students to form four groups and asked them to perform the exercises which were taught. It was very challenging and competitive for the students, as points were provided to the group which performed the best. It seemed that the students were ready for the challenge, for they all enjoyed performing to the best of their ability.
I once again wholeheartedly convey my wishes towards the staff especially Iris Devadason and Irfan, for without them it would have not been possible to go ahead with the program. By the way, you can enjoy viewing some pictures which were taken with the staff and students.
Parkour
Dec 14th
I know that you are wondering what this word parkour means and why I am posting this video here in my blog. “Parkour is the physical discipline of training to overcome any obstacle within one’s path by adapting one’s movement to the environment” says the American parkour website. However, it should be known that parkour originated from France. The purpose of parkour is to move from one place to another using the human body and the objects available in our environment.
The primary reason for me to post the video here in my blog is for us to know more about the human potential which is unquestionably immeasurable. When I saw these videos for the first time I was absolutely astonished, as these men in the video looked like they were flying all over the place with absolute control. I very well know that you will enjoy these videos, but please make it a point to appreciate the amount of consistent practice they all would have labored in mastering those daring moves, for nobody can transform to become a genius overnight. Thomas Edison, an American inventor and scientist, had rightly said, “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” I hope the above quote provides some food for thought, for learning any discipline requires many years of consistent effort.
Who is Dr Mel Siff?
Jul 22nd
I have stated Dr Mel Siff’s name in my previous entries several times. You have might have all been wondering who this man is? And why is that I quote him frequently in my writing? My answer to this query is because I am indebted to him, as he has enkindled in me to understand many concepts relating to fitness science in an exceptional way which most of the fitness experts I read have failed to do.
Dr Mel Siff was a sport scientist and a biomechanist who specialized in applying these disciplines to enhance human performance, fitness, and injury rehabilitation. His Master degree in Applied Mathematics was awarded suma cum laude (highest honor added to diplomas and degrees for work that is considered to be of highest quality) in brain research. He has presented papers internationally at conferences in sports science, physiology, physiotherapy, sports medicine, psychology, engineering, ergonomics, physical education, linguistics, and communication. He has published widely and lectured in several countries, including the U S A, England, Israel, Australia, and the Far East. He was also a former weightlifter who received university, provincial, and national awards for many years, he was the chairman of the South African national weightlifting team in 1983 and 1984. After several visits to Russia he wrote the magnum opus Super training which is arguably the definitive treatise available on human performance. He died at the age of 59. It is a great loss for the fitness community, as Dr Mel Siff had continued to work tirelessly to expose the myths involved in training and had encouraged others to think analytically, as it will help us all to understand fitness science in a better way.
My deepest gratitude goes towards one of the greatest mind in fitness field: Dr Mel Siff. . It has been many years I have been fascinated with fitness. Meanwhile, to satisfy my hunger relating to fitness science I have read and have been reading numerous books. And, after reading several books I have to state that I have reached the crest of fitness books. Reading Mel Siff’s magnum opus Super training and Facts and Fallacies of fitness, it feels that my much awaited questions regarding fitness and nutrition have all been answered. No matter how many books I read on bodybuilding, fitness, and nutrition I still had a sense of void in my questioning mind. But, the perspective which Dr Mel Siff provides is very thought provoking and unparalleled. I am unable to fathom the number of years of research Dr Mel Siff would have dedicated to have completed this encyclopedic books. I have to say that the books written by this man by all means are an eye opener. His works will continue to evoke in us a sense of wonderment and will help us to scrutinize each and every aspect of fitness with our eyes wide open, as he has dwelled deep into the realms of fitness science which is unmatched.
This man will continue to educate us all. Though we have lost him, his legacy will continue to live through his books which will continue to help us in a very important aspect of our lives: Fitness.
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