poetree_n_motion
Cathlete
Hi Cathe -
I hope you get a chance to read this. I don’t post very often, but needed to take the time to express some thoughts about the Shock Cardio series. I’ve done all the workouts now (most of them more than once) and I think it’s truly inspired! I am enjoying it so much! The diversity in styles and intensity levels - the variety and the fun factor - There’s a wonderful balalnce. There have been some comments about some of the workouts being less intense, but I remember when STS (weight training) first came out. There were a lot of people noting on the forums that they were too tired to do cardio when following this series. Shock Cardio seems like the perfect response to this.
Also, I was watching my son play soccer the other day. It is his passion. He plays hard and drives himself HARD - a lot of the time. But sometimes too, he just “plays.” It seems to be about the joy of movement and having fun. Remember that? As an adult, sometimes I forget that piece. I notice a lot of concern about calorie burn and what a heart rate monitor says. I’m not criticizing this. Exercise is different things to different people. For myself, there were many years that it was a means to an end -- something I did to get my body to look a certain way. That has gradually shifted, and though it would be a bit much to expound on that shift here, I am very grateful for it. What children have with their bodies and exercise - again, movement as an end in itself - I think we’d all do well to cultivate that - at least a little - and not worry so much ALL THE TIME about numbers. In doing so, something changes within, I think. It’s hard to put to words succinctly, but movement for movement's sake - there’s a magic to it (for lack of a better word). It does something important. As an end in itself, our relationships with our bodies (and spirits for that matter) can only improve and deepen. At least in my experience.
So. That’s the sort of FUN I’ve had with the MMA workouts and Step Moves. I’ve felt alternately powerful, graceful, fluid. Just a great deal of enjoyment and I’ve been truly grateful for them on my lower energy days. I'm on my second time through STS (The first time I did the 5 1/2 mo. prgram. I'm working on the Undulating Rotation now). I have noticed my energy in a sort of lull. Not sure if this is partly due to the weather or this rotation or ...? But - Shock Cardio has been great for this. The "less intense" cardios: not only were they not so daunting to begin, but by the time I was done (as is usually the case with working out for me anyway) I felt a better, leveled sense of renewed energy. These are good for me. I can be guilty of always upping the bar and pushing harder and only going for the super intense workouts (Cardio Core Circuit and the Hiit's address those needs quite sufficiently, by the way). Intense training tends to center me. It has a spiritual component - it does. It brings me to a better place in myself. I won’t go into explaining that too much - hope it doesn’t sound too hokey (it‘s nonetheless true). Still, the Shock Cardio series reminded me that there are other ways to get to “that place.” Too, I was reminded that keeping some balance has been and continues to be a long standing goal for me.
For a long time I’ve wanted to say something about the STS program at large. I’m a writer and an artist, and have such an appreciation for STS from a creative standpoint. The attention to detail - every little thing - the effort and care and expenditure of heart, mind and spirit that seems to have been poured into it is so evident to me. This is separate from (but of course related to) its standing as an excellent, effective fitness program. It’s evidenced in your other workouts too, but your time and experience in creating different programs really culminates here. I think that’s one of the things that’s ever attracted me to your workouts. There’s something extra there - distinctly Cathe. I suspect that is that you put your whole self into your works and I appreciate your sharing so much of yourself with us. There's an inherent risk there, but I'd say that the large majority of your followers honor and appreciate that. Your workouts strike me as a creative endeavor from the heart and that shows. They are intelligent and witty and there’s something very artistic, careful and thoughtful about them.
To me, your latest series exemplifies this many times over. I recognize and appreciate it not just from a workout standpoint, but from a human one. I am so afraid this sounds overly gushy. That concern is the main reason I didn’t post these thoughts earlier. I don’t want that, but this has been on my mind and will likely bug me until I just express it. And so I have. My words here are sincere and there’s not an ounce of idle flattery to them. I hope I’ve been able to convey that and express my appreciation and gratitude aptly. Thank you for all that you do. You’ve added more to my life than you'll ever know.
My Best To You,
Lori
I hope you get a chance to read this. I don’t post very often, but needed to take the time to express some thoughts about the Shock Cardio series. I’ve done all the workouts now (most of them more than once) and I think it’s truly inspired! I am enjoying it so much! The diversity in styles and intensity levels - the variety and the fun factor - There’s a wonderful balalnce. There have been some comments about some of the workouts being less intense, but I remember when STS (weight training) first came out. There were a lot of people noting on the forums that they were too tired to do cardio when following this series. Shock Cardio seems like the perfect response to this.
Also, I was watching my son play soccer the other day. It is his passion. He plays hard and drives himself HARD - a lot of the time. But sometimes too, he just “plays.” It seems to be about the joy of movement and having fun. Remember that? As an adult, sometimes I forget that piece. I notice a lot of concern about calorie burn and what a heart rate monitor says. I’m not criticizing this. Exercise is different things to different people. For myself, there were many years that it was a means to an end -- something I did to get my body to look a certain way. That has gradually shifted, and though it would be a bit much to expound on that shift here, I am very grateful for it. What children have with their bodies and exercise - again, movement as an end in itself - I think we’d all do well to cultivate that - at least a little - and not worry so much ALL THE TIME about numbers. In doing so, something changes within, I think. It’s hard to put to words succinctly, but movement for movement's sake - there’s a magic to it (for lack of a better word). It does something important. As an end in itself, our relationships with our bodies (and spirits for that matter) can only improve and deepen. At least in my experience.
So. That’s the sort of FUN I’ve had with the MMA workouts and Step Moves. I’ve felt alternately powerful, graceful, fluid. Just a great deal of enjoyment and I’ve been truly grateful for them on my lower energy days. I'm on my second time through STS (The first time I did the 5 1/2 mo. prgram. I'm working on the Undulating Rotation now). I have noticed my energy in a sort of lull. Not sure if this is partly due to the weather or this rotation or ...? But - Shock Cardio has been great for this. The "less intense" cardios: not only were they not so daunting to begin, but by the time I was done (as is usually the case with working out for me anyway) I felt a better, leveled sense of renewed energy. These are good for me. I can be guilty of always upping the bar and pushing harder and only going for the super intense workouts (Cardio Core Circuit and the Hiit's address those needs quite sufficiently, by the way). Intense training tends to center me. It has a spiritual component - it does. It brings me to a better place in myself. I won’t go into explaining that too much - hope it doesn’t sound too hokey (it‘s nonetheless true). Still, the Shock Cardio series reminded me that there are other ways to get to “that place.” Too, I was reminded that keeping some balance has been and continues to be a long standing goal for me.
For a long time I’ve wanted to say something about the STS program at large. I’m a writer and an artist, and have such an appreciation for STS from a creative standpoint. The attention to detail - every little thing - the effort and care and expenditure of heart, mind and spirit that seems to have been poured into it is so evident to me. This is separate from (but of course related to) its standing as an excellent, effective fitness program. It’s evidenced in your other workouts too, but your time and experience in creating different programs really culminates here. I think that’s one of the things that’s ever attracted me to your workouts. There’s something extra there - distinctly Cathe. I suspect that is that you put your whole self into your works and I appreciate your sharing so much of yourself with us. There's an inherent risk there, but I'd say that the large majority of your followers honor and appreciate that. Your workouts strike me as a creative endeavor from the heart and that shows. They are intelligent and witty and there’s something very artistic, careful and thoughtful about them.
To me, your latest series exemplifies this many times over. I recognize and appreciate it not just from a workout standpoint, but from a human one. I am so afraid this sounds overly gushy. That concern is the main reason I didn’t post these thoughts earlier. I don’t want that, but this has been on my mind and will likely bug me until I just express it. And so I have. My words here are sincere and there’s not an ounce of idle flattery to them. I hope I’ve been able to convey that and express my appreciation and gratitude aptly. Thank you for all that you do. You’ve added more to my life than you'll ever know.
My Best To You,
Lori
