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Stretching > Jumping Jacks

During a meeting between the advanced class and the AD recently, someone suggested that we add a stretching class after one of our technique classes. All of us loved that idea--it would give us a chance to work on our flexibility while we were nice and warm, and relax a bit as well.

Well, apparently we got the wrong idea, because this class actually happened, only it was called "Strengthening, Conditioning, & Stretching," and involved lots of unpleasant things like jumping jacks, planks, push-ups, crunches, and lunges (oh, and a little stretching). I am not here for this.

Now, on one hand, I like the idea of conditioning and working on my core so that I can balance and turn better and so forth, but I've already been feeling a little bit like I'm overdoing it (and my body is telling me I am correct). I can't help but think that doing 100 jumping jacks is not going to improve matters.

In addition, I dance (or take dance-like classes like Zumba) because I hate the gym. It's boring. There is nothing exciting about holding a plank, or doing 15 lunges, or walking on a treadmill. I like to trick myself into working out by doing other, more exciting things (i.e. working on my arms and core by doing silks). So this kind of class makes me want to bang my head against a wall. Plus, the heel/ankle did NOT like all those jumping jacks (I think jumping is causing and/or aggravating my foot problems, which is a whole other post)

I realize this entire post is totally whiny, but I was miserable. I'm sure part of my problem is that I continue to be a pathetic weakling in many areas, and I have past injuries that get aggravated (i.e. the knee), but I just don't know if I can really manage that class right now.

I wish it WAS just stretching.

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