CALLANETICS CHALLENGE MARCH 2008

[mevluvmark]

hey i need some help on the hip and behind exercises. I don't know if this is okay, but when i do it i find it hard for me to relax my shoulders when she tells you to hang onto the bar. What i have been doing lately is, instead of putting both hands on bar i put one elbow on the floor align with my shoulder and hang on the bar or couch with the other hand. I find that i can relax my shoulders better and i can concentrate on tightening of my muscles in the behind and hips. Is it okay for me to do this?

completed another hr.

Mev

[siamesegirl]

Originally Posted by mevluvmark

hey i need some help on the hip and behind exercises. I don't know if this is okay, but when i do it i find it hard for me to relax my shoulders when she tells you to hang onto the bar. What i have been doing lately is, instead of putting both hands on bar i put one elbow on the floor align with my shoulder and hang on the bar or couch with the other hand. I find that i can relax my shoulders better and i can concentrate on tightening of my muscles in the behind and hips. Is it okay for me to do this?

completed another hr.

Mev

Mev, that's fine expect you won't get as fast results, putting your hands on whatever you are using is soooo much more effective(trust me, i know!!) Just focus,focus on relaxing your shoulders and keeping the behind & hips in your best form!
Oh side note, if you are just starting out its fine to put your hands on the floor, until you build strength.

[AlittleStar]

I just got the 10 in 10, am/pm callanetics and the super callanetics. I am going to start tonight. Wish me luck I am so pumped about this. Can't wait to join you ladies, in slimming down.

[lisabinil]

Ta Da! Drumroll please! Today I completed my 15th hour of 10 in 10 and was able to complete every exercise and all repetitions! The only one I adapt now is the hip/behind but was able to do all reps. I know some of you think this is silly but for someone with Fibro this is a great personal accomplishment. I worked hard today and feel it-especially in my abs. My fat is breaking up and is in disgusting jigglypuff mode and I can notice differences in my body. My husband says what he can see is that my normal everyday movements are not as stiff or strained.

[AlittleStar]

Originally Posted by lisabinil

Ta Da! Drumroll please! Today I completed my 15th hour of 10 in 10 and was able to complete every exercise and all repetitions! The only one I adapt now is the hip/behind but was able to do all reps. I know some of you think this is silly but for someone with Fibro this is a great personal accomplishment. I worked hard today and feel it-especially in my abs. My fat is breaking up and is in disgusting jigglypuff mode and I can notice differences in my body. My husband says what he can see is that my normal everyday movements are not as stiff or strained.

cool, very cool Lisa

[VGrace]

Hi everyone! I know March is almost done,but I was hoping to join this thread!? In another thread Brownyn suggest I come here, after I was curious about Callanetics, so I came here and read every post. I ordered it immediately and am now onto my 4th hour with Callan(10/10)

I admit its hard for me at times,but I feel so good after I get done! I can't wait till I see results. You all are an encouragement to me!

[lildragonfly]

WOOT LISA!!!

[xbumblebeex]

Hi everyone! I always do this I never post on this thread. I always come in and read and then never post! I really should post more often. I have been doing callanetics more this month and I am beginning to see the difference

[ThyckeCutie]

Is it ok to lean over on the couch to do the hip/behind exercises or are they more effective when you hold onto something higher like a kitchen chair?

[planetbenjamin]

Originally Posted by ThyckeCutie

Is it ok to lean over on the couch to do the hip/behind exercises or are they more effective when you hold onto something higher like a kitchen chair?

When I did my class with Agnes (CallaneticsTeacher) it was the first time I had done the hip/behind exercise holding onto a proper ballet barre. Before then I had always held onto the floor or the couch. Holding onto something higher makes it much harder and it works much deeper. Now I hold onto the kitchen counter as it's the same height as a ballet barre.

[ThyckeCutie]

Originally Posted by planetbenjamin

When I did my class with Agnes (CallaneticsTeacher) it was the first time I had done the hip/behind exercise holding onto a proper ballet barre. Before then I had always held onto the floor or the couch. Holding onto something higher makes it much harder and it works much deeper. Now I hold onto the kitchen counter as it's the same height as a ballet barre.

Thanks Ben! I will try the chair tonight. I was using my sofa but I will see how the chair feels.

[AlittleStar]

Originally Posted by xbumblebeex

Hi everyone! I always do this I never post on this thread. I always come in and read and then never post! I really should post more often. I have been doing callanetics more this month and I am beginning to see the difference

We would love to see you post more often. I learn best by people like you who have been doing this already. I am new to Callanetics and want to learn all I can. I am anxious to go down a size or two.

[lildragonfly]

hr 24 completed! YAY!! Shower time!!

[ArmyWife88]

Completed my second hour, having trouble with the hip and behind exercises

[callaneticsteacher]

Originally Posted by WATCH-ME-SHRINK

OH, MERCY, AGNES.............Yes, and I bad.

I meant to mention that to you, to thank you for the suggestion. I have put that on my to do list. Should be here any day.



Good job on the media coverage!

Great!

I can't wait to read about your experiences.

Agnes

[callaneticsteacher]

Originally Posted by ThyckeCutie

I have super callanetics but didint try it yet. I think its way to early and it looks so hard. I did notice that they have a lot more leg exercises and also notice that she just goes from exercise to exercise before you can get in position. I guess you have to watch the intro over and over until you get the form right. Super Callan is going to be tough

Hello,

Please only swap to Super Callanetics if you have mastered all the exercises in 10/10. Concentrate on your technique first of all, the number of reps are secondory. Once your technique is the best and you can complete all the reps, you are ready to do Super.

Agnes

[soulwings]

Originally Posted by xbumblebeex

Hi everyone! I always do this I never post on this thread. I always come in and read and then never post! I have been doing callanetics more this month and I am beginning to see the difference

Ditto on both. I've been lurking on these boards for a while now. There's a lot of information here.

Hi everyone

[mevluvmark]

Originally Posted by siamesegirl

Mev, that's fine expect you won't get as fast results, putting your hands on whatever you are using is soooo much more effective(trust me, i know!!) Just focus,focus on relaxing your shoulders and keeping the behind & hips in your best form!
Oh side note, if you are just starting out its fine to put your hands on the floor, until you build strength.

Thanks so Noreen

Mev

[callaneticsteacher]

The hips & behind positions are one of those positions that most people find the most difficult to get in (that's my experience).

I can't really explain the positions more detailed than Callan did in her books and DVDs, however I can write about common mistakes and difficulties that my students tend to have to begin with.

1) Make sure that you are not sitting on the back side of your bum as getting into the position. The more you let your body roll to the back of your behind, the more difficult it is to roll the hips forward and tilt the pelvis properly. So, try to sit on the top of the outer thigh instead of the back of the bum.

2) If you think you have difficulties to curl the pelvis up in the sitting positions, practise the pelvis curl only besides your workouts. Please read my post on how to engage and curl the pelvis.

3) Many people tense the hips and bum, and push the tummy forward first instead of curling up. When curling up, your navel sinks to the back (it doesn't mean to suck the tummy in), and the hip bones write a nice circle forward, upword then inword. Curl from the base of the bum and use the lower abs to hold that curl up.

4) Try not to lift the knee higher than about 3 inches off the floor. If you lift too high, your hips may roll to the back. Try to keep the ancle higher than the knee.

5) Try not to let the hip roll back as you curl up. Instead, try to let the leg (knee) come a little forward and closer to your hip. Eventually your hip will move rather upword as you curl the pelvis "under" it - strong abs needed. Does it make sence? I wish I could show this one!

6) Don't worry about how much you need to lean to the side, as long as you remember to bring the torso up as soon as you can. The stronger you become, the straighter you will be able to hold your torso, at some point, you won't need any support with your hands! Do not lean forward or backword!

All together, try your best, don't let your back arch, and the position WILL get better!

If you have any pressure on the lower back, round your lower back more when curling up, but don't round the entire back.

Please let me know about your problems precisely, and I will be able to help more.

Agnes

[Lynelle]

I've been a bit quiet lately. I had a nasty cold and then TOM too, so I didn't exercise, but I feel almost myself again and did AMP/PM yesterday. It feels really great to do callanetics and I can now see why everybody is so addicted to that feeling. Last night I had a good night's sleep as well.

Agnes, thank you for the modifications on the leg and pelvic exercise for the knees. It's working great. Thank you for taking the time to answer everybody's questions/concerns. I appreciate it.

Thanks to everybody else too. I really learn a lot here. I'm a total beginner and have a lot to learn.

[callaneticsteacher]

Originally Posted by Lynelle

I've been a bit quiet lately. I had a nasty cold and then TOM too, so I didn't exercise, but I feel almost myself again and did AMP/PM yesterday. It feels really great to do callanetics and I can now see why everybody is so addicted to that feeling. Last night I had a good night's sleep as well.

Agnes, thank you for the modifications on the leg and pelvic exercise for the knees. It's working great. Thank you for taking the time to answer everybody's questions/concerns. I appreciate it.

Thanks to everybody else too. I really learn a lot here. I'm a total beginner and have a lot to learn.

You are very welcome, I'm glad I could help!

I wish you all Callan fans on this site could meet me, I would love to do Callanetics with you.

My dream is to organise a Callanetics "open day" in the summer on a nice, warm, sunny day in our garden. Of course with BBQ. If I make it, I will let you know. You will be welcome to come along! Finally, I won't have to be paranoid about others being bored with me talking about Callanetics all the time.

Agnes

[ThyckeCutie]

Originally Posted by callaneticsteacher

The hips & behind positions are one of those positions that most people find the most difficult to get in (that's my experience).

I can't really explain the positions more detailed than Callan did in her books and DVDs, however I can write about common mistakes and difficulties that my students tend to have to begin with.

1) Make sure that you are not sitting on the back side of your bum as getting into the position. The more you let your body roll to the back of your behind, the more difficult it is to roll the hips forward and tilt the pelvis properly. So, try to sit on the top of the outer thigh instead of the back of the bum.

2) If you think you have difficulties to curl the pelvis up in the sitting positions, practise the pelvis curl only besides your workouts. Please read my post on how to engage and curl the pelvis.

3) Many people tense the hips and bum, and push the tummy forward first instead of curling up. When curling up, your navel sinks to the back (it doesn't mean to suck the tummy in), and the hip bones write a nice circle forward, upword then inword. Curl from the base of the bum and use the lower abs to hold that curl up.

4) Try not to lift the knee higher than about 3 inches off the floor. If you lift too high, your hips may roll to the back. Try to keep the ancle higher than the knee.

5) Try not to let the hip roll back as you curl up. Instead, try to let the leg (knee) come a little forward and closer to your hip. Eventually your hip will move rather upword as you curl the pelvis "under" it - strong abs needed. Does it make sence? I wish I could show this one!

6) Don't worry about how much you need to lean to the side, as long as you remember to bring the torso up as soon as you can. The stronger you become, the straighter you will be able to hold your torso, at some point, you won't need any support with your hands! Do not lean forward or backword!

All together, try your best, don't let your back arch, and the position WILL get better!

If you have any pressure on the lower back, round your lower back more when curling up, but don't round the entire back.

Please let me know about your problems precisely, and I will be able to help more.

Agnes

OMG thank you Agnes. I guess I wasnt rolling correctly and I was sitting on the backside of my bum instead of my outer thigh. I didnt do Callan today but I gave this a try and I feel it right away. Slimmer thighs is on the way

[callaneticsteacher]

Originally Posted by ThyckeCutie

OMG thank you Agnes. I guess I wasnt rolling correctly and I was sitting on the backside of my bum instead of my outer thigh. I didnt do Callan today but I gave this a try and I feel it right away. Slimmer thighs is on the way

[callaneticsteacher]

Originally Posted by callaneticsteacher

Betty, and everybody,

Focus on proper alignment of the feet, knees, hips ans shoulders.

2) Knees - Align your knees straightforward. If inwardly rotated, rotate knees out from about 2 inches above knees, if outwardly rotated widen gently at the snaps. If knock kneed, widen from the snaps, if bowlegged, bring knees inward from the snaps.

Betty,

If knees are outwordly rotated, rotate the kneecaps gently inword, so the knees will face forward. Snaps as where your leg bends.

However you may need to rotate your legs, the goal is to have the knees facing straightforward.

You will get used to the proper alignment and correct posture. Keep it on mind, wherever you are. Agnes