We relate well to challenging the muscular or cardiovascular systems, adding more weight and pushing at a harder pace will do that, but what about the nervous system? This system kind of runs those others, so why not improve it as you go? BKS Iyengar, one of the most highly respected professional in all of the field of yoga says that one of the main reasons for a physical focus in yoga (which is the yoga class, the asana practice) is imperative, since we need to keep the nervous system toned and responsive. This not only enhances our physical workouts, it enhances our health and wellness! Next time you are doing bicep curls, you could; try balancing on one leg for a set, or really challenge yourself and stand on a wobble board or upside down bosu ball. Include some squats on the ball too! The neuro-muscular feedback from a stability ball adds a whole new dimension to chest flies. You can get alot more work done with less weight when you create a more complicated challenge. When you begin to learn how to challenge yourself with less weight, then really go for high repetitions, when you can, try 50, you may also see more improvement when you are using your chest to paddle that SUP!!
Laird Hamilton just did an article for Men's Journal which I find as a viable source for some great information in the fitness world and beyond (ladies check it out). When I was reading that he not only agrees with this theory of challenging the body, he uses it too. I have been teaching a Core Functional Training class that I developed over the last 8 years to ensure that many of my Pilates clientele learned to transfer this "core" concept to the rest of the body in life and sport like postures and movement situations.
Example: your sport or even your job has you in a "held" position of a limb or your spine for lengthy periods of time, just like a new mom having to hold the baby, or possibly positions you use when cooking or working in the yard. This means your nervous system, along with the strength and flexibility of the muscles are challenged specifically. You can take this into your workout by possibly include holding the weight at intermittent places throughout the range of motion for periods of time instead of just moving through the range of motion. In a squat (paddleboarders), or a bicep curl (mom's with babies), you can try this; it's a challenge! A great way to design some of your "sets" instead of doing what you have always done before. Remember that what you have always done before, only reaps the benefits that you already have! Many chiropractors will be the first ones to acknowledge to their patient that the subluxation that they are treating in your low back could have taken place simply by bending over and picking that one weed as you walked through the yard, it was just timing (and lack of nerve to muscles integrity!)
