Alice
“…I felt a bit lost as to how to make my training more productive and sustainable.”
What other hobbies/ professions do you have?
Aerial Arts
When you begin training with me, what were your main flexibility goals?
I wanted to learn more to develop my teaching/ coaching.
I wanted to improve my flexibility to level up my other hobbies/ professions
I wanted to balance out my strength training with mobility, & have a more overall healthy, moving body
What brought you to flexibility training? (e.g. a goal, a feeling, a curiosity…)
A desire to dedicate time solely to mobility and flexibility with an interest to incorporating what I learn into my aerial work.
What were you struggling with before we started working together?(physically, emotionally, or logistically e.g. pain, fear, lack of progress, confusion, inconsistency…)
Inconsistency and lack of knowledge in my training.
How did that challenge make you feel?(Physically, emotionally, or both — whatever feels true.)
I felt a bit lost as to how to make my training more productive and sustainable.
Have you tried anything else before joining KMM? If so, what was missing?
I was stretching regularly at the end of training and conditioning sessions. what was missing was flexibility training targeting sustainability, looking at active and passive mobility in greater detail.
What made you choose to work with me / join KMM?
Recommended by a knowledgeable friend!
“…Talking in detail about sensations and cues involved in any given exercise… helps me map the movement out in my mind and translate that into action.”
What was the moment you realised things were starting to change?(A movement breakthrough, a mindset shift, a feeling in your body…)
- developing more understanding, awareness and sensitivity of my hips and shoulders
- shifting mindset to more gentle and less goal oriented, focus more on how it feels in the moment and being grateful for what the body can do now.
What specific tools, techniques, or support that we explored working together do you feel helped you the most? (Feel free to mention anything from class cues to emotional encouragement.)
Talking in detail about sensations and cues involved in any given exercise. This helps me map the movement out in my mind and translate that into action.
“…My flexibility training is more of a long term presence than an intensive, short term goal.”
How has your flexibility or movement practice changed since we began? And how do you feel in your body and mind now, compared to when you started? (Feel free to share physical progress, mindset shifts, or anything else that feels meaningful.)
My flexibility training is more of a long term presence than an intensive, short term goal. I'm gentler with myself with regards to my body's injuries or niggles. I'm less frustrated and more grateful for what my body can do.
“… Even when I don't have as much time to stretch regularly, I know it's something that will always be there for me and I don't shame myself when my life doesn't allow as much time for training as I would like”
How did working together help you overcome your flexibility struggle or original challenges?
Kathryn's knowledge, understanding and emotional support have helped me along my flexibility journey immeasurably.
What has surprised you most about this journey?
- the extent to which mental and emotional aspects are crucial in mobility, alongside physical training
What part of your progress are you most proud of? (This could be a pose, a feeling, a habit, or a new level of confidence.)
- most proud of my donut and bow positions.
- new level of confidence in my ability to efficiently and safely engage my shoulder muscles in a way that enhances me back bend mobility.
- improved ability to facilitate mobility for my aerial movement students
“… new level of confidence in my ability to efficiently and safely engage my shoulder muscles in a way that enhances me back bend mobility.”
“…it's a marathon, not a sprint. Meet your body where it is right now without shame or comparison..”
What would you say to someone who’s struggling with flexibility and thinking about joining KMM?
if you're serious about working and progressing on your flexibility journey, kathryn will be an invaluable support for you at every step of the way.
What are your goals now? Think about the next step in your previous goals, &/or any new goals you now have.
my goals now are to continue working safely on back bends by developing mobility and endurance in my shoulders, as well as applying these principles to the whole body when trying out shapes (like bridges, forearm stands etc)
I would also like to complete my box split (poonani-to-floor)
