Sunday, September 07, 2008

Notes from Team Rif seminar


Tracy swings with intensity.

What a great way to spend a weekend! Here are some quick notes from the Team Rif seminar and today's Master Class with Tracy:
  • Mark Reifkind (aka Rif) knows everything about the human body and knows how to explain it. He's also an amazing instructor and knows how to break down complex movements, having you focus on just one part at a time as you learn how to perfect the skill. Watching Mark teach is an education in itself -- all teachers should be this good.
  • I loved the stretching routine Mark showed us and intend to incorporate it into my own training, and use it with my clients.
  • When Tracy used me on the first day as her guinea pig for a 15s work/15s rest routine, I was flattered and nervous. What if I can't do it? What if I mess up? Going through just 4 minutes of swings with intensity was eye opening to say the least. Certainly, kettlebell swings are a wonderful thing. But swings with intensity are like a whole new exercise. If you're one of my clients and you're reading this, get ready for some fun changes in your workouts!
  • I'd gotten away from doing SMR (aka foam rolling) and am once again convinced that it's one of the keys to staying active and healthy for the long haul.
  • Don't want to post specifics of Tracy's class today (it's not my place to do that), but I can tell you that she continues to find ways to make swings interesting, challenging, and fun. And no matter what size kettlebell you're using, there's a HUGE difference between just cruising along doing swings at an easy pace, vs. doing swings where you're reaching back with the bell and really focusing on your hip snap.
  • My hand DID rip today with about 10 minutes to go in the workout. I decided to just keep going, which was painful but oh well. The biggest problem? Now I want to play with kettlebells and I can't, because I have one full-fledged rip, and several other candidates that are ready to break open.
  • Gayle Hunter, who's an RKC level 2 (it's a big deal to be an RKC at all, much less progress up the ladder. Incidentally, Rif is an RKC Master instructor -- one of only 5 in the world!) and who hosted the Team Rif event told me today that I had a hip snap that would make Pavel proud. I was rediculously delighted by this comment!

How's Fortysomething and Fabulous for the title of this picture? :)

12 comments:

ATOM ANT said...

You girls look good together, but you'd look a hell of a lot better if you had a MAN in between there.

Irene said...

Forty-something, FIT, and fabulous!

Look at you, both! I want those arms!

Anne said...

I want those arms too! You both look terrific. And it sounds like a great class that left you energized, which is saying something after a tough workout.

Take One Stripper Pole said...

Fortysomething and Fabulous sounds perfect! I hope to join that club next year!

Jennifer said...

BEAUTIFUL! Sounds like a fantastic weekend--of which I had no doubt. Thanks for sharing some moments with us.

Anonymous said...

Sounds amazing, ripped hand and all! Oh, Babe, you are TOTALLY fabulous AND HOTTT!!!!

Anonymous said...

I hope you have a great day. Take care and best wishes, you look so young and healthy. WELL DONE.

:-) :-).

Matt

ColeC said...

H-O-T!!! What a picture of perfection...40ish my butt....more like 20ish!

I'm glad you had a great weekend and learned some more stuff. Hope that hand heals soon.

See you in a few days ;)

Iron Tamer said...

Sounds like exactly what I'd expect from the Rif clan. One correction-there are 4 Master RKC instructors, not 5.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Leslie,

Getting swing "action" pictures that are complimentary is difficult! So I thank you for choosing what I'm sure was 'the best' one, LOL!

Thank you for such a great review. I can't wait to do more workshops with Mark, it might possibly be a once a month thing @Girya in Palo Alto, but breaking it into two...one for begginers and one for experienced KB'ers.

It was great seeing you again.....pressure cooker classes at my house coming soon!

Mark Reifkind said...

Leslie

it was great to meet you and get to work withyou, thanks for the kind words.
Rif

Mark Reifkind said...

atom

back off, they DO have men there.