Challenge #16 – The Posting Contest : COMPLETED
On May 16th of this year, some 6 months ago, a challenge begun. Piers McCarney, starting blogger and fellow Gym Movement practitionner, challenged me to a writing contest, to match or beat him post for post, and guest post for guest post (Note: A Guest Post is a written by a blogger and published on another blogger’s, uh, blog.). The Challenge would go on for 3 months.
This very blog here happened to be in a hiatus at the time it was proposed. It egoed me up; of course I was accepting. Wasn’t gonna let some Australian father get off with it. More to the point, it was of course a great opportunity for the both of us to keep an ongoing motivation.
We let the summer go and, without either of us noticing it, we had gone past the ending date. So we decided to extend it another 3 months, ending 2 days ago.
Here is the final count: Read more
Crazy Things I Found on the Internet: November 2011
So I decided, let’s start this new regular post.
Superhydrophobic
Ever dreamed of possessing water manipulation abilies, like the Water Benders from Avatar?
Well, you can’t. Yet.
BUT soon you will have the ability to repel water like you’re its absolute nemesis.
Dibs to geek-extraordinaire and childhood friend Alex for the finding.
Aurora Borealis: on the flip side
This is really cool. A few awesome people took part in this Around-the-globe Time-Lapse, which in itself is impressive. One thing I didn’t expect is how amazing the Auroras would look like, from the other side.
See for yourself: Read more
Weekly Progress Report: 2011-11-13
Hope you’re having a good weekend! Mine is all about schoolwork. And even then, I wish I had more time for it.
Challenge #6: Straddle Press to Handstand
Added another second to my Tuck Planche. Not the best stability on this one, but I do feel progressively more secure on the position.
I think however that I should test/practice it more often. This doesn’t take a big toll on my body, it’s really just about building the strength to hold it. It should allow me to add the seconds more quickly.
Challenge #8: The Iron Cross
I have never gotten this close to a full muscle-up: Read more
Life tips: How to Fit Three Lives Worth of Stuff in a Single One, Part I
I’ve finally filled out my About page!
To celebrate this event of utmost importance (cough), I found it à propos to give a bit of insight on how I manage to live through so many interests and activities.
To clarify first, here is what I don’t do:
- Bend time and space (OK maybe sometimes)
Weekly Progress Report: 2011-11-08
This guy knows how to move. Seriously.
Challenge #6: Straddle Press to Handstand
On the same day I succeeded in doing my very first Kong Vaults, out of the blue I also decided I would try my Elbow Planche directly on the ground. I had tried it last summer, and I acutely remember failing miserably to even appear to have a semblance of position.
Well, it’s a wee bit different nowadays:
You know what? Balancing is the shit.
Challenge #10: The PicLetters
New letter! It’s a Pirate-related letter. Read more
Parkour Progress: Kong Vault GET
Hello folks!
Just a quick note. Yesterday, I went to an indoor gymnastics gym to practice some movements in a different context, and also practice some parkour movements.
Well, at last I have overcome my first considerable (irrational?) fear in a Parkour movement. Enter… the Kong Vault!
It may not seem like much, but the fear of clipping my feet and falling face-first was overwhelming to me. Total blockage, just like most fence-related techniques. If you ever come at the point of trying it, you’ll probably face it too, to whatever extent is yours.
As I was playing around with that gymnastic beam yesterday, I found my side vaults were getting comfortably close to an actual Kong, so… at some point I just did it.
It left me with a pounding heart and a smile on the face.
If you want to try the Kong Vault yourself, here’s a great tutorial from the Tapp Brothers.
Personally, what I know I need to do first to perfect this movement is to get my hips much higher, at least above my shoulders.
How do you like this move? Ever tried it out yourself? How did you succeed / what did you do so far?
Book Review: Atlas Shrugged
Welp, it looks like it was the ultimate horror post after all. Behold the horrors of capitalism! (Or rather, lack thereof)
My good pal Josh Hanagarne was kind enough to host this piece for me. Nicknamed as the World’s Strongest Librarian, which I have no doubt he actually is, Josh is a Librarian, book fanatic and author, who can also twist horseshoes and deadlift more than you, myself and the the dude back there combined. If I’m not mistaken, he’s also the first person afflicted of Tourette’s Syndrome to actually cure himself.
In other words, if you don’t know about him, make sure you do.
Peace out!
Weekly Progress Report: 2011-10-30
Hola senoritas! Quick update this week, I’ve been busy.
Challenge #6: Straddle Press to Handstand
Today’s video features the progress on my Elbow Planche:
For the first time I feel secure and steady enough in my position to actually start counting down the time held on it. While it’s note completely straight for the total amount of time, it’s close enough, and refinements will happen over time. I’m very happy about where I am, compared to my beginnings on this balance. Read more
Parkour Training: Learning from the Roots
Some weeks ago, I mentioned I was attending a Parkour seminar. Here’s my review.
(Note: All pictures are property of ADD Quebec or SLA Coop.)
The formula was fairly simple: Friday evening and both days of the weekend, totalling around 16 hours of training. Each day included a physical training session with parkour-specific movements, followed by a longer stretch of technical learning and training.
More importantly, the seminar was held by by Chaû Belle, one of the founding members of the widely known group Yamakasi.
(Chaû is the guy giving a wink at the kid)
Weekly Progress Report: 2011-10-24
Muppets are cool. Admit it.
Challenge #6: Straddle Press to Handstand
I can now hold a Tuck Planche for 2 seconds!
Remaining time to reach target: 58 seconds. And this position is much more about strength than balance. When I can get about 10 seconds I’ll start testing movements with the legs in that position, to add variety to the training.
