Russian Kettlebells found me back in 2013. A series of unrelated events that pointed me in the direcion of kettlebells. I was really just looking for a fresh workout. I was bored and not getting results with traditional weight training. Little did I know that kettlebells would give me my life back after struggling with disc and joint problems for years. I have been a kettlebell practioner for about 4 1/2 years now. It was really love at first swing. I had searched my whole life for a physical activity that just sang to me and this is it. It has added so much to my life. I can hardly remember my life before being exposed to this great little ball of steel.
As a woman, learning and practicing kettlebell movements has given me much more than physically strength. There was also a mental and emotional tranformation that happened as I became physically stronger and increased my skill set. It is this mental toughness and tenacity that has gotten me through both personal and physically challenges that have crossed my path. There have been times I don’t thing I would have came through quite so smoothly without having kettlebells in my life. It would definitely been much easier to just give up at times but then “how do you give up on yourself”? If you are not willing to fight for yourself then who will? Kettlebells are definitely an integrated part of my life. It has completely changed my perspective on health and fitness. I only seek to only be better today than I was yesterday. I am fortunate enough that I can say this is true most days.
This past weekend I had an oppurtunity to attend a kettlebell partner passing workshop (KBPP) with Michael Castrogiovanni and assisted by Zar Horton and Mark Padilla. Who even knew something like this existed? I had previously done a little bit of what I would call “trick” kettlebells but nothing like passing a kettlebell to another person. When I first heard about it, the concept seemed fun and a little exciting but also a little intimidating at the same time. I mean someone was going to be throwing a kettlebell at you! How could that not be a little intimidating?
The first exercises were simple but certainly not easy. Each exercise building of the previous exercise. And then it was time to start passing the bells! Holy shit, really? I remember the first time I threw the bell at one of the instructors, I was scared to death. I really didn’t feel like I had any control or even a solid understanding and I was going to throw it at someone. But then with each pass, confidence with the techniques crept in.
There were so many aspects involved with the KBPP. There was a physical aspect to this workshop but then there was a completely unexpected spiritual connectivity, let’s call it kettlebell magic There was certainly a level of vulernability that I was not expecting. One of the most critical aspects is connecting with your passing partner. This introduced a vulnerability I definitely did not expect from KBPP. The vulnerability was most challenging part of the whole experience.
As I continue to reflected on that afternoon, I am still amazed that what you would think was a purely physical activity was more about connectivity in a world of disconectedness. There is a level of minfulness and being in the moment when KBPP. I am on a minfulness journey and can struggle with staying “in this moment”, not thinking about the past, the future, or any other random thoughts. This was a great exercise for that. The possibility of getting hurt or hurting someone keeps focus on the moment. There was also a lesson in listening, the type of listening that doesn’t use your ears. You had to be in tune with your partner and pratice reading expression, body language and their general aura. In the end, the physical part of KBPP was definitely secondary to the exercise in minfulness, listening and connectivity.
I am not sure what my expectations were going into this workshop other than to learn something new and hopefully have some fun in the process. There is not doubt that my expectations were exceeded. I am so grateful to have had the oppurtunity and the amazing and profound experience. It is not one I will soon forget soon and it will certainly not be the last time I do this. I would definitely recommend this experience, if you ever have the opportunity don’t pass it up. Thank you to Michael, Zar, and Mark for sharing your knowledge and showing your patience. It was a great afternoon with some great people.
~Cheers
Daylene Horn Art 