Monday I met with Editor in Chief, Amanda Filippelli, of One Idea Press to discuss the nature of our upcoming production, The Bridge of Strength. Most of the research and work we are diving into is centered on how our bodies keep the score on stress, and how to better serve people post trauma through strength training. I will be releasing further details on the nature of this project and how YOU can get involved too in the coming months. The discussion I had with my editor got me thinking about a commonly overlooked training principle with regards to our nervous systems. Yes, your nervous system.
As funny as this meme is, it reveals a ton of truth about being all too stressed out. Strength Training normally helps alleviate those “I AM SUPER PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW!” feelings, but under the pressure of extreme stress, your heavy lifting routines will only add more madness to your already maddening days. Long work hours, caring for sick loved ones, financial pressures and traumatic experiences will put you on high alert every single day of your life. Enter ye insomnia, sugar cravings and reaching for comfort foods/beverages, and a host of other more disturbing health problems like heart disease, autoimmune disease, depression, anxiety, the works. When you are at this high level of stimulation, redirecting your training to adapt to intermittent stress is vital to your overall success. The question though is how to train effectively when life gets crazy.
Revisiting Original Strength
In October of 2015, I had the privilege to attend the Original Strength Workshop that was geared towards establishing proper breathing and movement patterns for better functional movement and strength. The entire seminar was structured around establishing breathing patterns and movement patterns that we learned as infants. The goal of this style of training is actually to help train reflexive strength, which is your body’s ability to anticipate movement before it happens and/or reflexively react to movement as it happens. You are able to train your nervous system directly, through diaphragmatic breathing and through primal movement patterns that are easier on the body, and these techniques will eventually lead you to better quality of life, let a lone incredible strength.
For a more nerdy article on this subject, click this link.
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how to train effectively for better strength, especially with regards to warm up routines. I am NOT a fan of gut wrenching warm up exercises for the reasons outlined above, but have come to favor the style of Original Strength as a solid warm up ritual over others. Watch the video below to learn what some of the actual movement patterns are from Original Strength, and pay close attention to how I breathe through each movement. This is just an example of how to start training your nervous system for better recovery and strength.
For more on the Original Strength System, click this link.
While Chronic stress poses harm to the body, you will be able to re-pattern your mind and body over time by applying these training methods in your daily life. If you need more support, sign up for our Free Coaching Forum on facebook or shoot me an email at janelle@janellepica.com. I’m here to lift you up and support you through those obstacles in life that are getting in the way of your health and strength. Let me know how I can help you become the most powerful version of yourself.
Let nothing stand in your way!
Press on!
