Lifts + Laughs
Lifting and laughing, sometimes you may be in the mood for one or the other. But, like our coffee and calisthenics, or a little barres with some bells, it is the interaction between both where the magic, and benefits of movement begin to happen.
On Saturday morning, I was puttering about the studio — doing those little things that I often walk by, making mental notes to complete, mañana. My notoriously un-neat basket of clothes in the back was tidied first. Carrying on, I created a lattice for a plant to climb. Next, continuing up to where maybe only my eyeballs can see, vacuuming the fan cover on the ceiling (a pet-peeve of mine when I visit restaurants around town). Finally, with the little jobs complete, I sat down to write our bi-weekly post that is always approached with the dedication to complete, yet (sometimes) with a professional level of procrastination to commence.
Ruminating about the benefits of consistency, the pitfalls of competition, or a longevity inspired post titled “the Life Long Decathlon” — maybe appropriate themes for another week, but for today — too serious. I wanted to write something about the lighter side of lifts and life. Then, I heard it from the studio, a chorus of laughter.
Lauryn’s kettle-bellers were the players, chin-ups were the culprit, and peer pressure was the punch line. Yet, with encouragement, excitement, and infectious laughter — I started to smile, and cheering on the success of classmates, a round of applause from the group was soon to follow.
Strength training can be a social experience and fitness can be fun. If it wasn’t meant to be so, why do we have a bone called a humerus?
For punishment or penance, you may need to search elsewhere. Yet, for light fitness puns, mixed with a serious approach to developing body awareness and strength technique — join Barres and Bells for a communal and supportive approach to occasionally being silly — and the commitment to being strong, forever.
By the way, do you know why a flamingo stands on one leg? So it doesn’t fall over… That’s why we practice that skill too.
This week, laugh-a-bit, lift-a-bit, be social, be silly, and start simple so you stay strong for what matters the most — the enjoyment of the lift and the moments in life after the workout.
Take care,
Ian and Lauryn