A Balancing Act

A key to keeping active throughout your life is doing things that you enjoy. Balancing on the slackline is something I enjoy very much, for a number of reasons:
It promotes mindfulness, as you can't worry about the bills or anything else while you're slacking over water; if you do, you go splash!
It's a great leg and ab workout, and because the line will stretch, it's like a really skinny trampoline, so maintaining balance while walking is a challenge in itself!
It's a great way to develop the mind-body connection, as breathing and self-awareness are central to staying on the slackline, but over-thinking will also cause you to fall off!
Its great fun, and allows you to explore movement in a new way.

Mal Kelly Slacklines for Tralee Circus Festival with Blennerville Windmill in the background

As part of keeping balance in my own life I have been volunteering for several years with the Tralee Circus Festival, where I get to combine my clownish hobbies with my love of learning and teaching. It's something I always come away from feeling invigorated and inspired, if utterly exhausted due to burning the candle at both ends for the few days!

A few weeks ago, we did a promotional photoshoot for the festival, which incorporated the slackline. and made it to page 8 of one of todays national newspapers. This year, as usual, I will be giving slackline workshops as part of the festivals free workshop programme. Why not drop by and say hello?

Highlining In Lublin

I recently returned home from Lublin, Poland, where I was once again taking part in, and volunteering at, the 35th European Juggling Convention. This is was my 3rd visit to an EJC and they never disappoint; this year it was the timing of the EJC with an annual Urban Highlining Festival, that made it a must on my calendar.
I've been slacklining for about 4-5 yrs, generally in my local park and always starting from the ground and simply stepping up onto the line, so I was anticipating the excitement and nervousness as I attempted something new.

So I tried skylining for the first time, and the only thing that stopped me from falling on my ass was the fact there was no ground there to fall onto. Only a safety harness attached to the highline. As i bobbed up and down, hanging there in mid air, it occured to me that slack/high/sky lining is a lot like trying to make a big change to your lifestyle. The first step can be incredibly daunting, and things don't always work out as you'd expect. Even when you think you're sufficiently prepared.

So you fail. Big deal! Failing is part of learning, and it may even be the most important part. So fail often, learn WHY you failed, then try again. Next time you'll fail better, and eventually you'll succeed.

Now get out there and so some failing!

Related:
Slacking in Munich Olympic Park

Olympic slacking

I can't believe the week has come to an end. Since Monday morning I've been in Munich for the 2011 European Juggling Convention to learn some new techniques from, and be inspired by, some of the best in the world. My main focus was the slackline, and I have picked up a few new things, as well as refining my existing skills.
So what has this got to do with health and fitness? Well for starters, the Olympic site is huge (1.52Km from my tent to the main hall by the shortest route) and since I've been trekking back and forth with a rucksack full of kit 3 or four times a day, that adds up pretty quickly, especially in this heat!

As I mentioned , I was focusing on slackline, and to that end I spent about 4 hours per day on the line, as well as more time spent giving workshops and coaching others.
To top this off, yesterday I gave a free flowing workshop to over 50 people in an hour in the Olympic park, my largest workshop to date.

All in all, it's been a great week for me, catching up with old friends, making new ones, and expanding my range of skills and knowledge.

If you'd like to know more about slackline workshops or other services, send me an email...       Info@malkelly.com

Training/slacking

My dedication to my own training has been lacking recently, so i decided to get back into things yesterday with an intense interval session focusing on legs and balance on the slackline. After a good warmup, it was straight into intervals of 20 seconds activity followed by 10 secs recovery, for 6 minutes before taking 2 min rest & dynamic flexibility and repeating 6 more times.

The exercises used were:

 - Lunges...

For Reps (up to 10)
Holding lowest position for 20 sec

Holding, with pulses (both legs)

 - Split Squat...

For Reps (up to 10)
Holding lowest position for 20 sec

Holding, with pulses (both legs)

 - Single Leg Squat...

For Reps (up to 10)
Holding lowest position for 20 sec.

The single leg squats were definitely the most challenging element, as i found balance difficult to maintain beyond about 10 seconds, and especially on the left leg. I finished the session with some more dynamic stretching and a good cool-down.

Average heart rate over the training phase of the workout was 140bpm.

By the time i was finished this high intensity workout, my legs were like jelly and I felt ravenous, so it was time for the recovery smoothie.