What Really Is The Foundation of Fitness?

What Really Is The Foundation of Fitness-DVRT Ultimate Sandbag Training

Let me start by telling you a little about myself and my background. ! ! I’ve been studying Pilates and yoga for the last 17 years. My career and continuing education led me to study dynamic joint mobility, neural mechanics, and sports performance. I also have certifications in A.R.T (Active Release Technique), Myofascial Release, massage, Reiki, nutrition, and DVRT. BUT, Joe Pilates would just call this all Alphabet Soup! One good thing about this whole journey is that it’s how I met Josh.

They say timing is everything. That would definitely be the case with DVRT and the Resiliency Program. I’ve known Josh for years, but coming from the Pilates and yoga world never would have thought we’d have a chance to work together.

A few years ago, I started to hit a wall.  

I was dealing with a serious loss, and had an undiagnosed thyroid condition. Both of which led to fading energy, rapid weight gain, and loss of strength. My nutrition and workouts had remained relatively healthy and unchanged. Needing to try something different, I emailed Josh…it was a Hail Mary. Next thing I knew I was at the closest certification. It’s slightly humbling when you go from the one demonstrating exercises to the one needing the most help. I have to say a huge thank you to the DVRT Ultimate Sandbag Training instructors that day for their help and non-judgement! (DVRT Masters, Josh Rapahel and Chad Skrederstu)

Having left that weekend invigorated, I knew there had to be a way to bring these modalities together. Pilates and yoga had kept me strong to this point, and DVRT added a level of complexity that my body needed to improve.

The Resiliency Program was born. These two worlds found their way together (without colliding!) I wanted to share the strengthening and restorative qualities of Pilates and yoga with the DVRT community. There was also a need to shatter some myths around weight training for my bendy, flexible friends at the studio who didn’t want to “bulk up.”

The question was, “what if we combined the elements of all these great programs into one?”

Many of you are aware of the need for a rest day. This program is perfect for your active rest period. It will help you work into those smaller stabilizers, while mobilizing your joints. This type of movement is beneficial for everyone, and will only bring you gains.

You can expect to recover faster, feel muscles you haven’t in a while or never have, mobilize your joints, and create flexibility. Wouldn’t thoracic mobility enabling your lower traps to fire in your Clean and Press test make a huge difference to your neck and upper traps?

In the Pilates portion, the Ultimate Sandbag gives instant feedback. It will either help you or make the exercise harder. While the yoga series will use a DVRT drill to mobilize an area and immediately take you into a pose to actively stretch the area/joint that was just working.

It was a risk and a wish to try and bring these worlds together. Both have a bit of a reputation and can be slightly polarizing. I have faith that this community sees a bigger picture, and is always open to doing and being better. You already know how to work smarter, here’s to recovering faster! Check out our NEW DVRT Resiliency Program HERE