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Getting ready for Advanced AOBT Classes!

If you’re signed up for Advanced Ashi (Deepfeet 2) or are thinking about it, most likely you’re also wondering if you are in shape enough for class!

Remember that the 2 footed strokes are best suited for clients (primarily men) who are at least 50+ pounds more than you are. So if you’re 135, your clients for the 2 footed strokes should be at least 185 (you catch my drift).

The insane thing about taking the Advanced Deepfeet 2 is that you spend the first day learning on women who are not going to weigh enough. And their frames are too little for you and even for the instructors to demonstrate the strokes on. All of the instructors demonstrate the 2 footed strokes on each therapist in class, and we try to hold up our weight as much as we can. And we don’t like it. Why? As we told you in class, the two footed strokes are meant for men, large men, large healthy men to receive.

So we’ll teach you how to modify the strokes on day 1, and you’ll learn new things to add to you repertoire for clients who need less pressure. You may not even put two feet on your client until day 2.

But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to be in GREAT shape to take the class! Primarily, work on your abs. Your core strength needs to sustain you during class. Biceps, lats, pecs too. Or you’re going to feel after the first day of class that putting on deodorant is waaaay too much pressure.

Some hints to help you get ready for class:

Stand on your massage table. Grip one hand on each bar and lift your legs up. Try to hold your legs up for at least 15 seconds.

Do this every day in between clients. It’ll really help you in the long run.

Abdominal exercises! “V” sit ups are a great way to work your entire abdominal wall. Lie flat on your back, then simultaneously lift up both your arms and feet up to form your body into a “V” shape.

Don’t worry if you initially look like a dying beetle. It gets better.

· Pull ups / chin ups. Don’t worry if you can’t pull up all your weight in the beginning. It’s ok if you have a hard time with doing one! A good way to help get you started is to use a chair or stool—place a foot (or both, if need be) on the stool when you start your chin ups.

This will take up to half your weight off and make it possible for you to do chin ups! As time goes on, you may find that you don’t even have to use the stool any more!

· There are plenty of exercise programs that can help you get into better shape. “Ab Ripper X” from P90 X is a great 16 minute workout that can really help. Pilates, core strengthening with an exercise ball, “Insanity” etc. will help you work on the strength you need for class.

This isn’t meant to terrify you, but instead give you a realistic idea of what to expect in class. If you can’t hold up your weight off your clients, you will blister your hands and can become a danger to both you and your client. Getting ready for class by improving your strength will help make class an enjoyable course for all involved!

We look forward to having you in class!