Hi Tim and others,

I'm intrigued by the first exercise shown in this video, in which Rickson twists his body while only his opposite hand and foot are in contact with the sand.

Does anyone know
a) what it is called
b) what it specifically trains
c) how to do it properly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTi_E78DSK4

Thanks in advance
RJ

This is a variation of a wrestling "hip heist" or "sit out".
Benefits are whole body, especially core activation and shoulder and hip stability.
But the key factor is "movement" and movement 3 dimensionally. It's dynamic...like fighting. Not static like a typical yoga asana. The goal is "flow", uniting your movement with your breathing and maintaining structural alignment.

If you like it, look into Gymnastica Natural and or Grappler's Toolbox.

We call it the "Walking Scissors" exercise. Like Backarcher said it's a version of a sit out done higher up.

The movement can also be done with the hips just off the ground, and on the forearms for greater core work.

i use this even as a 'core exercise' for non-grapplers. It's a great exercise, and you could make all sorts of variations on it for specific purposes.

http://rivercitypc.blogspot.com/2007/12/testing-out-this-blog-thing.html

Jason,

Good luck with the blog.

Just be careful, I had a student blow out his knee a couple weeks ago doing these. Not sure what he did, but just got out of surgery a while back!
Jake

I think it's pretty safe. I've been teaching it in my yoga class to men and women 50-65 years old for the last 7-8 years, with no injuries. I make sure they keep the knee over the ankle. Also, it's important to keep the shoulder packed.

Backarcher

What do you mean by 'keeping the shoulder packed'?

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT HE WAS DOING WITH HIS STOMACH, IS THAT YOGA, I WANNA DO THAT...

Yes, it's Yoga.

The stomach vacuum is called "Uddiyana Bhanda," and the isolation of the rectus abdominis is called "Nauli."

They are practiced primarily to benefit the internal organs and tone the muscles of the abdomen.

Archer,
Yeah, I think it was a freak accident. Just throwing out a warning there.
Jake

You were right to have people perform with caution, Jake!

My people had me there to remind them of such things, most people don't have people watching how their knee tracks or shoulder packs.

Shoulder pack is confirming the scapula into the structure to tie the shoulder girdle with the complete myofascial matrix. It comes from a combination of depression and flexion of the scapula.

...in other words, like an old yoga teacher use to tell me, "your shoulders belong to your back. Keep them away from your neck and ears".

uddiyanda bhanda and nauli, cool, thanks for the info.

thanks for the info everyone
rj