Through
my studies and observations of kinesiology, physiology, developmental
education, (including the magic of watching my own childrens
bodies grow), yoga, martial arts, boxing and a number of other
training regimens, I realized, long ago, that fitness is much
more than body beautiful. Ho-L.I.S.T.-ic fitness
is about producing a lean, flexible body that is strong and
enduring, a body that will enable you to meet the demands
of everyday life and enjoy the benefits of good physical health.
It is also about developing a positive mental attitude that
is confident, aware, focused and stable. At the intersection
of these attributes lies true fitness.
|
Pilates
Box
- loaded lunge and strike.
Great for stride mechanics. |
The
L.I.S.T. Balance System represents the culmination of my work
as an instructor, student and athletic competitor. By combining
elements of yoga, Pilates and the fundamental principles of
biomechanics with core stabilization and strength training,
the L.I.S.T. Balance System is designed to integrate, synchronize
and increase whole-body function while producing a vigorous
mental attitude.
|
Core-dinator
-
finish position of rotation with lateral weight transfer.
Improves timing and strength decreasing the likelihood
of injury. |
The
integrating factor in the L.I.S.T. Balance System is, of course,
balance. Unlike most traditional exercise equipment that emphasizes
single-joint and single-plane actions, the creates a mind-body
connection by forcing the athlete to maintain equilibrium
while executing a full range of multi-planar exercises. These
motions involve the smooth coordination of various muscle
contractions and utilize numerous joints. The challenge of
destabilization ensures that both mind and body are conditioned,
in concert, to maximize neuromuscular control resulting in
greater:
balance
flexibility
strength
endurance
power
speed
full-body coordination |
By
incorporating the synergistic mental and physical requirements
of balance, this program dramatically improves:
confidence
focus
determination
perspective
awareness |
Developing
a sound relationship between mind and body is essential for
optimal fitness. As your training advances and you master
the intellectual complexities and physical challenges of balance,
you will feel the dramatic difference that a highly conditioned
neuromuscular system gives you.
|
|
Pilates
Box - basic yoga position. Builds stronger
lines. This exercise is a form of the Utthita
Trikonasana or extended triangle pose
modified specifically for the Pilates Box. |
Core-dinator
(split platform) - friction free rotational base split
squat. Challenges hip stabilizers in stride pattern. |
The
Human Model - CRAWL,WALK,
RUN, COMPETE
The
ultimate training model is the natural developmental process
that prepares humans for hunting, gathering and competition
survival! Born of time and repetition, as primitive
as the first of mankind, the natural development of a normal
healthy child is clearly worthy of consideration when
developing a systematic exercise program.
The concepts of phasic training and/or periodization (i.e.,
the gradual cycling of intensity, complexity and volume of
training to achieve optimal physical fitness) have been around
as long as athletic competition. In fact, these concepts actually
date back to the first Masters of the Physical Arts. However,
in recent times, as fitness in Western culture has developed,
the practice of progressive exercise systems has been the
missing ingredient in mainstream fitness facilities (i.e.,
commercial gyms and local health clubs). Only recently has
progressive exercise, outside of traditional physical arts
studios and elite athletic training facilities, become popular.
A
system that follows the basic principles of progression (i.e.,
static to dynamic, slow to fast, stable to unstable, simple
to complex, isolation to integration, light to heavy, short
to long and low to high) would do well to consider the only
system of progression that has been perfected through the
generations. For tens of thousands of years, imperfections,
inconsistencies and deviations have been filtered out, leaving
only the essentials. These essentials can be seen in the normal
development of any child. From a babys first discovery
of fingers and toes, to full interaction with the environment,
it is plain to see the normal developmental process, from
crawling to running, is consistent with the goals of a complete
and comprehensive training system.
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|
Understanding
this point and studying multiple athletic forms and eastern
disciplines, made observing my own children's development
especially rewarding and certainly more aware of the age-old
adage, art imitates life. The natural developmental
process of a human child is replicated in many physical art
forms and in some cases, I am sure, it is the foundation for
the system. The similarities between practice (systematic,
progressive exercise disciplines/systems) and perfection (evolution/
nature/creation) are consistent and universal.
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Copyright
2004 Karl List, All Rights Reserved