David Nelson and the Yoga Garden SF have vastly expanded their yogic offerings to the community. The Epic Workout will be featured at 1009 Page Street three times each week. Get your Epic flow on!

A Few Words on Fitness

With Epic and Yogic Warrior Conditioning, you take exercise vertical with depth and meaning, inquiry and transformation. Yet the fitness world is also changing horizontally, meaning that the techniques, methods and processes are being rearranged, improved, and evolved. Despite the idea that there new rules, I suggest instead that we are returning to the essence of our lives with new distinctions. Where are we going? What needs to be included in today’s fitness program, exercise plan, or yoga practice?

Mobility and Movement Preparation: There are techniques and methods that dramatically surpass ’stretching’ to optimally prepare your body for the movement you choose to train. Flip your mind and Tune In / Tune Up before your training, yoga asana and even meditation.

Corrective Exercise: Injuries of all shapes and size come as a consequence of our lifestyles and training patterns. More of the same is rarely the path out of pain, while noticing your experience often is. You can make the body resilient through intentional, purposeful movement that has the power to improve the way your body works at a deeper level.

Speed, power and elasticity: Remember that power has to do with time, and is not the same is strength. Consider power and strength with speed. Power is lost faster than strength, as easily demonstrated by a long-time yogi returning to a high-impact kickboxing class. Yet for all populations, there is the need for the ability to move and react quickly, and power is critical for getting through life effortlessly.

Core Training: Ab crunches are definitely out, and functional core work is in as we focus on training a body to respond and be active in the world. Whether the lessons come from athletics, martial arts, somatics or yoga, the truth about core is the same.

Resistance Training: A foundational aspect of every practice, we need to focus on function, linked system strength and real world strength. Isolated strength is an illusion, and the key is to practice with appropriate frequency. Strength is about full body connection and coordination towards a purpose. Strength comes from within, and should be trained with the end in mind.

Metabolic Training: Evolutionary cardio - Intensity vs volume is the name of the game, so the the ability to do higher levels of work and maintain output over time will take you where you want to go. Riding the edge of effort and ease will get you there faster.

Recovery & Regeneration: No matter your training modality or the features of your practice, recovery and nourishment - physical and emotional - is a must. This can be done at the gym, on the mat, or at home, and should not be ignored.

Thanks to Alwyn Cosgrove, who framed these concepts, then adapted by Epic Workout for a yogic perspective on exercise and transformation.

The Sports Club/LA San Francisco has a magnificent new rack of kettlebells ranging from 10lbs to 80lbs. Kettlebells are without a doubt one of the single most versatile tools we can use use both for the diversity of techniques you can practice as well as the variety of qualities it can be used to develop. Another dimension is offered when you practice like a yogi. I offer you three tips for creating kettelbell-focused movements that are mindful and meaningful.

1. Set and know your intention each pre-kettelbell moment by asking a question - what is going to get me through this round? Then commit and take action.
2. Find your steady rhythm and find your breath. Increase speed until your breath starts to run away from you. Then play the edge.
3. Focus on the transition at the moment your round or exercise is complete. Hardly anyone pays attention to  the transition out of an exercise and into recovery, yet this is the very moment not to be missed. This moment offers you the opportunity to uncover the meaning behind the drill.

Earn $33 and a private training session for you and your friends when you make an introduction to a yoga studio, gym or organization that results in a class, workshop or teacher training.

Epic is looking to expand and work with leading movers, shakers, teachers and trainers worldwide.

Simply contact us, or forward this website to your favorite yoga studio, gym, or company’s decision maker. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Epic Workout has relocated its home base to San Francisco, CA. Here, we will offer classes, workshops, and teacher trainings in addition to offering upcoming books and media for personal trainers, yoga practitioners and all movers, shakers, teachers and trainers.