OG Training and Wellness
2024-07-26T16:09:36.802Z
There comes a point when working hard no longer works. When pushing, sacrificing, and the mantra of "go hard or go home" reveal themselves as illusions. Pushing myself was making things worse, and I was ready to quit the gym; I was weary and defeated. How could going to the gym be making things worse? Having been a personal trainer and fitness instructor, this was so very disheartening. I was looking at getting a cane at the age of fifty two.That’s when I met Alekz, and I quickly learned two things: sometimes, the answer lies in slowing down, and suffering is optional.Sure, I could do 100 squats but couldn’t crawl. Upon closer inspection, I couldn’t squat either—I only looked like I could! From the first day, I knew Alekz’s approach was a different kind of hard. It’s hard if you equate exertion with results. But can you lift your toes while keeping your big toe pressed into the ground? If you are reading this, I know you are trying!Alekz’s workouts are deceptively simple, and oh so humbling. He does not prescribe the same thing for everyone; he observes. Observes you from a functional perspective. The measuring tape is for range of motion, not for your waist size! It’s not that he doesn’t care about these things; this is HOW Alekz cares about these things!Working out with Alekz demands honesty about what your body can and cannot do. It’s not about rushing to flashy moves but about mastering the fundamentals. In fact, you might find yourself, like I did, getting excited when finding a limitation. It meant that we could do something about it! Suddenly my body wasn’t something to beat into submission, but rather an opportunity to correct decades of misalignment and underfunctioning.Alekz's method teaches you to respect and listen to your body, appreciating the simplicity and importance of foundational movements. It’s about learning to move better, not just more. Embrace this mindset, and you’ll discover a more sustainable, profound path to wellness.I could list all the wonderful things about Alekz the human, and they would all be true: kind, gentle, funny, generous, and patient. But we don’t need another guru to worship, and he would rather you listen to your body, and he will show you how to do it.I am working one-on-one with him now, and having worked with him in a group setting, and I'd like to share the mindset that will help you get the most benefit from his approach. Be curious. Trust that this man has a plan, and you are at the center of it—your spine, your fascia, your nervous system, your posture, your balance, and even your ego! Be kind to yourself (something we are not very good at in this corner of the world). We are very skilled at beating ourselves up while simultaneously letting ourselves off the hook; Alekz gently redirects us to kindness, responsibility and discipline. Suffering is optional.Of course, I know you want the juice! So YES, my body changed! I look awesome! And sexy! Something I did not expect to announce at fifty four! I healed my spinal issues and gained function in my gait. Walking better led to better squats, now I have functional glutes that also look great :) I am in many ways stronger than I was at thirty. As my body has come into alignment, so has my way of seeing the world. As I got more functional, I began putting function (order and alignment) into all aspects of my life. My core is the strongest it's ever been as we navigate issues with hypermobility. With a strong physical core, my spiritual and mental core also strengthened; walking in the world with my shoulders back and my head held high! And yes, that absolutely has an impact on how I see the world, and how the world experiences me. No need for a regime; it simply started to happen. Coming into alignment in all areas of life seems to be a quiet byproduct of sessions with Alekz.Alekz showed me how to fall in love with being alive again, reminding me that when we swap movement for “exercise,” we strip away the magic of being human, which I guess makes Alekz a magician :)