The more I train, the healthier I feel, the more connected I become mentally and physically. This process over the last couple of years has been incremental. For the longest time I thought the bigger the plan the bigger the result. I’ve come to realise that i’s all about consistency.

Years back when I first learned about meditation, I approached sitting as some esoteric exercise in wish fulfilment. I thought that if I sat there on the cushion a light would suddenly come on and bang…well, to be fair, I had no idea what would happen after the bang but I suspected it had to be good.

Anyway, it’s not a sudden flash, it is a slow sunrise. A gentle awakening as the light creeps across the room. Conversly, the expectation for fireworks ultimately commits us to sitting in darkness endless anticipation.

When I first came across the Kettlebell all I could think about was how heavy could I go. No real mental component, just a visceral desire to lift heavy. Once I removed my ego from the equation, or rather the kettlebell removed my ego, I realised that getting stronger was really only possible if my whole process of movement got better. For sure, grit and spit will get you so far but it will also grind you down and leave you spent. Good movement, superior movement, that is where grace and power live.

The clever approach is to treat the process like that sunrise. If you treat training as practice, cumulative, the aquisition of skill and strength over the long haul, you are building in resilience and longevity.

And here is the connection, as the mind becomes attuned to the body, you quickly become your own coach, self selecting the drills, the tempo, weight, progression, intensity. All of this suited to your current condition and a condition that changes daily requires a practice that reflects it.

Everything you do, in the physical and mental realm re-enforces that behaviour, good or bad, so it pays to invest wisely. When you sit, the very act is enough. When you swing, the very act is enough. If you can get those habits in place you will develop the qualities and strengths you need to move your practice into a whole other realm. No pyrotechnics, just natural light.

A little, often. Simple.

100 reps, 2o push ups, 10 pull ups, 20 push ups, 10 Burpees, 15 push ups, 5 pull ups, 15 push ups, 5 burpees. Done…

Next week I will be posting some introductory clips to Indian Clubs in anticipation of future Mobility Indian Club Workshop Simple Strength and the IKFF will be holding.