WE MADE THE VIDEO

Yesterday, with the help of Deb, Scott, Chamisa, Kathleen, Stann and Todd we shot the video. It went amazingly well (I think anyway). We should have a rough cut within a week and start posting some snippets on the site shortly. I hope everyone had a great week. Today we will be working with great focus since we only have this ONE class for this week.

My trip to San Francisco went well. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and well wishes. I am guardedly hopeful that it was a success. It is with great restraint that I do not blog the details of the trip as it is so personal. I will tell you about it in person.

Remember that our 6 week testing should be done by now. I would love to hear what the end numbers were for pushups and walking lunges !!!! I am elated at the level that classes are at right now. It just feels quite magical.

Story von Holzhausen

Spring is here for Liquid Strength

I have been so pleased at how full classes have been even with the weather being awful (raining) or wonderful (in which case being outside is very tempting). If everyone ever shows up at the same time, we will be uncomfortably crowded but so far it has worked out great.

I will not be here tomorrow (Friday) to teach. I will be in class next wed and out Friday again so make sure you are THERE ! I would like all of you who did the pre 6 week challenge testing to test again and tell me your numbers !!! I will be bringing my tape and calipers to class the week after next.

I was perfectly sore from class yesterday. I hope all of you are feeling the same. So many of you are changing before my eyes that I am inspired every time I see you !!! Tues I will be shooting my video (small privately funded so it will not be a fancy thing). I will be able to hopefully offer some home tutorials and demos on the site. That will be great. I hear very often from students who have moved and can no longer attend classes so for all of YOU this will be a huge thing. I know myself that once your body changes from Liquid Strength, it is a huge bummer to suddenly lose it as nothing else does quite what this does !!!

The level at which we are working is so advanced at this point that I find myself getting really excited about the future and creating new moves and cycles that will get us further and further along in our practice.

One goal I have for EVERYONE is to see the effect of all your hard work happen before we are in full Spring gear. That being said, I would like for everyone to pick ONE very simple rule that they will follow going forward that will improve themselves in one way or another. I am not talking about radical changes (although those may well happen with time) but something very doable that you actually can and will do.

I am opting for one thing physical and one thing emotional. I am avoiding gluten and wheat. I have a lifelong post nasal drip, runny nose and "clearing the throat" habit that seems to magically disappear if I avoid gluten/wheat. I am loving that. In a different area altogether, I am trying to listen more and be less defensive. I find as I age and feel much more comfortable with who I am (and like that person !) that I am less concerned about pleasing everyone around me. I have always been (and likely will always be) a person who likes to please and make others happy. Sometimes this can call for knocking myself down a little to be more "unthreatening". Being 42, I am ok with someone not liking me for their own reasons. It is more important to me that I like myself and what I stand for. I want to be a role model for my daughter and my students/clients. I want all of you to be just as competent and smart and daring as you are without feeling the need to "lessen" who you are to be more readily excepted. If someone is threatened by you, you don't want them in your life anyway. You want to surround yourself with strong and able people who will challenge you to be ALL that you can be and cheer you along the way.

liquid Strength six week challenge testing

WELL, Our 6 weeks are over. Going into the 6 weeks, I do not expect to see any shocking changes in anyone (although I have been pretty surprised). I do expect for all of you to have some clarity on the changes you want/need to make and how to start to slowing shift your lives to get there.

I will be away this Friday and next so we only have wed classes for the next two weeks. I would like for all of you to do the "testing" on your own. Today would be perfect so that you are not overly sore for Wed's class. You need to do push ups and walking lunges just like we did them for the pre challenge testing. I can't wait to hear about how those numbers are changing !!

We will be planning a post challenge party so let's start thinking about what night works for everyone. It should be a lot of fun.

As per request, I am going to give some VERY easy ideas for lunch/dinner that I have used in the past few weeks:

1) Bake up a big batch of fish (I like trout as it is very mild) and add it to miso and vegetable soup, over salads or even with hummus.

2) stir fry onion, broccoli and soy sprouts and throw in chicken or tofu or fish. (these can be pre-made I use frozen cooked shrimp)

3) make an omelette for dinner with all the healthy stuff in your fridge.

4) make up salmon/turkey/bison burgers with sliced heirloom tomatoes and fresh herbs with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon.

Beauty.......Liquid Strength style

This blog entry is a long time coming. There is an ugly secret that we humans have. We (most of America anyway) love to see those we admire (envy) fail. There is such a fascination and obsession with "beauty". We seek it at any cost. We also punish and hate those who "have" it. we spend a lot of money and time trying to be "beautiful" but when/we you are, people will judge you or dislike you for it. You may spend half of your time trying to be beautiful and then the other half constantly atoning for it.

It is natural and normal to want to feel great about yourself. One thing I learned along the way is that no matter what I look like, it does not change how happy I am. Some people will not like me either way. I can never make everyone like me. I have learned that it is none of my business if they do. If I know I am being the best person I can be every day. If I am happy and true to myself and my beliefs, and I like who I am, that is all that matters. If a person does not like me, it is most likely nothing to do with me. They have their own insecurities and issues on any given day. I can wish them well but it is NONE of my business. My daughter is 9 and I can see it happening to her already. She is a beautiful little girl. She goes OUT of her way to wear a black tattered bandana and dress as "unpretty" as she can. Girls are nicer to her that way. It is so silly.

How did we get here as women? Why are not "on each other's sides"?

One of the things I love about all of you, my wonderful students and clients, is that you are NOT like that. We have a choice in what we decide to call "success". If I ask most of people who are DESPERATE to lose 10lbs, if they were ever 10lbs less, and they were, I always ask "Were you that much happier in your LIFE"? The answer is always "But I LOVED my body". That is not the question. "Were you happier in your life or with yourself"? The answer is usually NO. The dieting and wretchedness of a consuming obsession with their bodies usually made them pretty miserable and their lives did not miraculously change having other women envy them.. (shocker huh?)

I believe that we have to get to like ourselves NOW. We have to look at what our bodies can do and how good they feel. Think about how wonderful a back rub feels. Think about how wonderful it is to feel your skin against someone you love or even a pet your love. That amazing feeling of "the cuddle". You can thank your body for that amazing gift. When you step back and really think about it, you can't even SEE what you look like unless you look in a mirror. You spend MOST of your time (I hope anyway) nowhere near a mirror. If you "dig" what you are about and what you do in your day (and who you spend it with), who really cares what you look like. NOBODY who loves you does. If you were gorgeous, you would have more people wishing bad things on you and not liking you anyway.

I want to take great care of myself. I want to look my best but not because it really matters what strangers think of me. There is a certain amount of self respect you get from taking care of yourself. It shows respect of YOU. When you start to believe that losing 5 lbs will make you HAPPIER though, really think about it. It changes nothing. Most people are far too busy obsessing about their own junk to even notice your weight. If you are healthy and happy and able, that is a gift.

Take some time and put it all in perspective. When it stops being such a THING in your life, it is much easier to eat well and take care of yourself simply because you respect and like yourself. THAT my friends will bring you happiness.

I am destroyed from wed's class. I mean ridiculous ! We will be doing a lot of upper body and core. The lower body will be about movement and stretching. I will be giving students who were NOT in wed's class some other work to do while we are in abs (they will be doing the arm moves from the "home" position.

Story von Holzhausen

Liquid Strength Blog

Hello out there. I would like to hear from you about what you would like to read about on this blog. There are two different roads to go down. I can write about the very practical stuff (what I am doing for exercise or diet and what I recommend for you to do) or I can write in a conversational way (like I do often) about issues beyond fitness. If you have any questions you can ask. If you have any thoughts to share, you can write to me and I will blog and not use your name. I have been amazed at how much you have all helped each other with your openness. I would like that to continue.

I invent recipes that are pretty good and pretty easy. I can share those too !! Please help me make the most of this arena. Let it be a place that you gain support and learn. As we bring our 6 week challenge to a close, please do not let the lessons and growth end. The idea of taking care of yourself in every way should continue and become a part of your life. The 6 weeks that we do, as a structured thing, should be more of a behavior modification that we keep up with. Next year when we do it again, I hope you will see (as I have) that many of the changes have become permanent. Next year the challenge will be a brush up course and you will move further along in your choices to be happy.

Story von Holzhausen

LAST WEEK of Story von Holzhausen's 6 week challenge

Well, we are now in our final week. I know that this year the "challenge" has been a very subtle one. The changes and struggles have been mostly emotionally and having to do with our LIVES and not our bodies (which we all know are so connected that one effects the other so profoundly that they cannot be separated). I am so proud of you. I have been moved to tears by the honesty and courage you have all had dealing with some pretty hard issues. I can see the changes in you and I know that you can too. I would like to ask that everyone do me a favor this week....

Do the push ups where you move ONE weight every time you as you push up. With each time you move that weight, I want you to think of something you are proud of about yourself or something you are opening your life up to. Fight very hard to get every single last one you can out of your set. (while you make each one count and be very effective to make you stronger). Take the time to reflect on how you have changed. Feel that warrior in you that will fight for what you believe in.

We will be doing the "testing" to see if our numbers have changed the first week of April. I want all of you to work hard this last week so that you are BLOWN away with your own improvements. Take this last week to feed your body so well that you feel amazing and strong. I have learned so much this year and grown so much this year. The joy I feel upon seeing all of you when I walk into class is huge. NYC can be a very lonely place. Women especially are not usually "on each other's sides". We tend to punish ourselves and each other based on some strange and ridiculous pecking order of attractiveness. I love that in our gatherings, we are happy with each other's growth. Men and women have the same warrior and team attitude. It is such a small thing but I do not ever remember being less lonely than I am right now. Largely because of the amazing kindred atmosphere of my classes. I thank you all for what you teach ME. I celebrate your fighting and fierce and noble spirits. You ROCK !

Story von Holzhausen

subbing Monday (tomorrow) @Greenwhich 12:30

Would love for some of you to be there! I was very sore from Friday. In my entire core especially. I would love some feedback about how it all went for you guys !

The future of Liquid Strength

There is a current of energy around us that is gathering strength and momentum. I can feel it when I walk into the room. I can see it when I look at your faces. It is awe inspiring and fun. It is powerful and happy. It is the very real lives we are creating for ourselves and I am very grateful and blessed to be "in on it".

We are coming to a level where the boundaries of what we can physically accomplish begin to shift. I am sure you can see it in the students around you. Every time I walk in to teach, I am shocked at the changes in all of you. I wish I could divide the room into levels and work exactly how each level needed. Some of you are newer and need the very basics explained and need to practice not "losing" Joyous chest or the connection to the work doing very simple movements. Some of you are ready to be very dynamic and creative in your practice. We are reaching a point where I have to grow with the need of my students. I would like to start to teach more classes and have them taught in various levels. I would also like to teach my MAT WORK Liquid Strength class.

I am looking into studio space to rent to be able to offer a wider array of classes and times. I have been amazed at the support I have received at the thought of this venture. I will remain at Equinox (no worries) and teach my core classes but I want to have the freedom to grow the program and have other talented people be able to teach also. The difference between doing 2 classes a week and 3 or 4 (If I am able to teach different types of Liquid Strength classes that specifically do different things you are actually able to do more) is unreal. The body changes (even mine) at an alarming and addicting rate. The calm and positive state of mind also deepens with the additional practice of "choosing to be comfortable outside your comfort zone.

I am currently looking into to the Upper West Side since that is where I live. I would want the space to be very close to the express train at 72nd so it would be easy to get to. Yesterday we had our production meeting for the DVD and we have a very talented group of people who are so generously GIVING their time and talent to this project because they also believe in Liquid Strength. Thank you Deb for coordinating. Thank you Stann and Todd for your amazing insight and willingness to "jump on board". I can hardly wait to see what the future holds.....

half way into Story's 6 Week challenge

We are nearing the halfway mark on our challenge. It is amazing how different this year is than last year. So much of what we are working on is internal. The changes and work is much deeper and braver. 6 weeks is not long enough to see the lasting and amazing results of serious life changes. I have been blown away by the honesty and bravery that many of you are showing as you face some pretty heavy life choices (that you did not realize you HAD) and begin the process of changing your "hard wiring". At the same time, many of you who have been doing Liquid Strength with me for a long time are having huge JUMPS in finally "getting it" and getting really sore. I myself am learning so much in how to teach better and lead my students/clients to more body (and of course mind) changing work. I have embraced this quote (that I don't know if anyone but me has ever said but they may have...):

"As soon as I think I am the best, I stop getting better"

I love being on that journey. The destination is the least interesting part. There have been some blog comments and emails (some of you are having trouble posting on the blog so you have sent me emails to post) I have chosen NOT to post. They are so movingly personal and open. Unfortunately, not everyone who may read this blog is coming from the same place that we are. I am willing to put myself out there but I am very protective of all of you. Just know that the love and courage it takes to put those things in WRITING is felt by everyone even though I have chosen not to post it publicly.

I was so sore after Friday that I was pretty shocked. If you are NOT getting very sore in these weeks, please come early/stand in front/stay after class and let me work on your form with you. It makes SUCH a difference. I am available for privates too. One private can make such a difference in classes it is mind blowing.

I love seeing all of your bodies change weekly. Your faces and how you hold yourselves changes too. I cannot express the joy it gives me to see you succeed. Gratitude and pride are the gifts you give to me every week. Thank you !

Story von Holzhausen

Liquid Strength

pushing buttons

I am going to blog about the issue that was brought up in class yesterday. This is something that I have helped so many of my clients and students deal with (unfortunately). When your body begins to drastically change, there can be some huge reactions from the people around you. Some of the reaction is wonderful but sometimes it's not.

When we make changes to better ourselves, our choices and our lives, it can "push the buttons" of the people around us. When a person sees an example of very brave and positive change, issues in their own lives can come up. Everyone has insecurities and issues that they do not want to face and work on (let's face it, it is HARD work and much easier to just keep things as they are) and when we see people in our lives making these changes, it forces us to see what we are NOT doing to make the same changes.

Most "bullying" and cruelty and meanness in the world is really just a manifestation of fear. When addicts are attempting to clean up their lives, they need to change their entire social network. There are people in our lives who we love and who love us who will not be positive about changes in our lives. It will scare them, it may cause jealousy or fear and they may lash out in some pretty surprising ways.

I have learned this over the years. I have seen sisters where one was always the "pretty" one and one was the "heavy" one. After years of very loving relationships, when this balance and "norm" changes, things can get ugly.

In a perfect world, we would all be true to ourselves and happy with our lives. We would welcome and encourage the people in our lives to grow and better themselves. The reality is that most of us are insecure and unhappy about certain aspects of our lives. Oddly, some of the most beautiful people I have known are the most insecure and jealous. The important thing to realize is that this is NOT ABOUT YOU. It is not your job to make your love ones do the work on themselves to get to a better place. It IS your job to set very clear boundaries about how they treat you when you are making these changes. I have found that turning the tables on a nasty comment and asking "why would you say/ask that?" (very lovingly and gently), can lead to some very positive and life changing conversations.

Most relationships in our lives can handle these times of transition and actually get stronger. Communication and honesty is vital to make this happen. As you find your own "truth", you may find (as I have) that helping people get there is a huge joy to you. Be open to being a catalyst of change to the people in your life who are open to it.

Unfortunately, you may find that there are people in your life who want to keep you in an unhealthy place because of their own issues. These people can love us and believe themselves to have our best intentions in mind but in truth, they are toxic to us. If anyone in your life wants to keep you unhappy with yourself or keep you feeling powerless, this person is not someone you want to keep at your side on the day to day. It is our responsibility to set our own boundaries around these relationships. It does not mean you stop loving this person. It does not mean you end your relationship (although sometimes it does). It means that it is OK to choose when and where you will have interaction. Without getting into any specific relationships (I know so many of your personal stories and there are MANY examples of this in all of your lives), let me give a generic example that is quite common. Your MOM, she loves you, she uses food for emotional reasons, she may not like what she looks like or myriad other things in her life. Whenever you see her, she pushes food on you or comments on what you are or are not eating (this can go in either direction). Half of my clients (especially women) have this issue in their lives. What will help is to sit down with your Mom (or whoever it is you need to talk to) when the behavior is NOT happening and you are calm. Very honestly say what is on your mind like "Mom (insert other name), I am really working hard on myself right now and trying to make good choices for myself and my life. I know you love me. It is really important to me that I feel you are "on my side' and supporting me in these choices.

The next time the behavior happens, very calmly say "I am sure you are not intending to not support me right now so let me tell you how I would like this situation to change so we can both enjoy our time together" (be very honest about the behavior that you need and are comfortable with). If the loved one refuses to change their behavior, it is ok to limit your interaction with them around the situations that are not working for you. Be very open about it. "I would love to spend time with you but I have noticed that you are not comfortable supporting me in my efforts of change so I would rather not be in that situation" (if this is an issue of mealtime etc. make arrangements to meet and spend time together where the issue (food or your relationship status etc.) is not the focus of the get together.

Find people in your life who cheer you on your way to a better you. A new you and a new life may well mean some new friends. I have so many wonderful friends. Over the years your lives change and your interests change. You can stay close and love a friend forever and find that you spend very little time with them. That is ok. That is part of life.

The healthier our friends/family/mates are, the healthier and happier lives we will lead. It is hard work to change our lives. It can be painful to realize that we have some people in our lives that for their own reasons may not support us. What we do and how we handle these situations will impact us. It will prove to ourselves that We are worth fighting for. Making these changes and these boundaries are creating new "grooves" for us to follow. Every time we do not allow ourselves to further deepen the ruts that are not healthy for us, the less 'hard wired" we become. All of us can change our lives and our habits and our "hard wiring". That is an amazing gift. It is not a gift that is easily won but it is the most important victory we will ever achieve.

Story von Holzhausen

Liquid Strength

in the midst of things

It is a rainy day today. I know my favorite part of it will be class today. We are going to be doing NO weights. I want to really focus on putting the very most into every single move. Instead of moving with the thought of "how many", I want us to do every single move just in the moment and if it is the ONLY one we are ever going to do. We are going to work on truly being present in our bodies and in the room today. I want you to get out of every second the most that you can. There is no room for any thoughts outside of the RIGHT NOW in a class like today's. We are going for a moving meditation where we feel and really love the power of our bodies and how they move.

You will know by how sore you are how much you are achieving the deeper levels of Liquid Strength. You will know and feel if you are really IN your body or in your "chatter". Today is a very hard physical challenge but ONLY if you are able to achieve the inward challenge of intention and connection.

Story von Holzhausen

I am subbing Friday March 7th 9:00 at 92nd street Equinox

Liquid Strength

Yesterday I subbed a class at Greenwich Ave and it was the most delightful class I have ever subbed in my life. They did amazingly well and to a man completely understood and connected with Liquid Strength. I want to thank my regulars who came and helped the energy of the room so much.

As many of you know, we are doing the video shortly. There has been a lot happening lately (I always tell Kurt that there is a kind of "magic" happening with all of you that feels completely different and feels like we are on the verge of something huge). I am considering renting a space and growing the program to a higher level. As a few of you know, there are 3 different type of classes that go under the "Story Method" heading:

1) Liquid Strength (this is the type of class where we use very broad movement cycles and combine them)

2) Story Method Mat (we have done some of these movements in class)

3) Fundamentals (we do this method when we work on holding our connection to the "work" and moving very minimally)

So many of you are sharing your stories about the changes in your lives that are happening as you change your attitudes about your "selves" and make very real and difficult changes in your lives. I invite you to share your experiences with each other (if you get really brave you can even post them here !!!). I am looking forward to the future and the amazing things we will do. Please give me feedback on where you would like a studio to be and if you are interested in other time slots and classes being offered. Thank you for your amazing energy and inspiration.

Story von Holzhausen