Re: the new UBP Ab section

Faythe

Cathlete
Cathe and fellow exercisers,
I love the new Upper Body Pyramid DVD! But, am I the only one that can’t do the
second core move with the ball...where you make your body into a V, going upward?
I simply can’t do it, x(
and I don’t know if it’s the lack of room in my basement, or what.
I can balance myself ok, so it's not totally a matter of balance. But I'm sure it's part of it.
I could do the first one, though it took me some time to get the hang of it.
I’ll keep trying though.
Faythe
 
Faythe,

I am definitely not Cathe But I have been doing Cathe's tapes since 1995 and have considered myself in excellent shape - but I must tell you when I got the UBP tape the pikes on the ball were unreal to me. I have great core and ab strength - I have always worked extra hard on my abs since I have 10 children.

I couldn't even do one of her pikes at all. I was so frustrated - I made myself after trying for a few weeks only once or twice a week to try it ever day. Guess what? That segment is only about 2 1/2 minutes long .

It took me about a week of trying that section every day. What I did was every other one - I found that I was pulling too hard on my core to get up - I was putting too much effort into it. All you need to do is move the ball forward a few inches. Concentrate on lifting your rear up lightly - it is not like you have to pull yorself up really hard to do it.

I can now do 24 pikes by myself with no problems. Just stick with it and you will be able to do it. I am very confident in that. Try to make sure your toes are pointed and your feet stay together when you go up.

I hope this helps you. I am so glad I didn't just shelf that part of the tape and say "Oh well, that is too hard for me."

That exercise still really kills me, meaning I am total sweat and breathing hard when I get done.

Good Luck!

Cheryl
 
Cheryl, Thanks sooo much for the encouragement. I will keep trying. It's looks so easy when
Cathe and crew do it..doesn't it?!
And Debbie, LOL, that's so funny. :7
Thanks,
Faythe
 
Faythe-
You obviously haven't checked out my "Pike Poll" in the Video and DVD
Questions forum!! Have a look, and you'll see how much you're not the only one!
 
Hi Faythe! I too had quite a time w/this section!x( What I did was I tried to do the V in my bare feet. That worked well. Mind you not perfect but I was able to do more than a few. Then I attempted it every other day w/my socks & sneakers on keeping in mind to have my feet flexed & then gently pull the ball into me trying to raise my tushy up to the ceiling. One time I almost went head over heels into a tumble!!:p Whew! That one was close. Just keep at it & it'll come. Best, Kathy;)
 
Thanks guys. Kathy, that was so funny. I will try it without the ball and barefoot and see how it goes.
I can do the downward facing dog yoga pose. But I am not on my toes, my feet are flat in that pose.
Nancy, I will check out that post, I missed that one. I'll go there now.
Thanks for the responses.
Faythe
 
Hi Faythe,
I'm not Cathe, but I think I might have a helpful suggestion for you.

To modify, try starting with the ball on your thigh region, then 'grab from the abs' into a very wide v shape, ending the move with the ball on your shins. I find this is doable for me, and I also find it really works my abs. It's the same exercise, just not as acrobatic. With practice I'll be doing the full-on pikes with the rest of them sometime soon, but for now, I'd rather do these than fall off the ball like the main character in a bad sitcom.
HTH
Kathy
 

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