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Squats can boost brain activity [video]

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Re: Squats can boost brain activity [video]

#71
post #6

Funny how people become obsessed with specific movements, specific exercise styles, etc. I’ve done it all including becoming obsessed with Mark Rippetoe and the derivatives, cardio like running and mountain biking, swimming 2km a day (80 lengths) etc. The one thing that has absolutely transformed my life is yoga. No more back pain, insane strength I never had, no more injuries from eg lifting a 100 lbs propane tank a…

> Never been to a class.

While you can certainly do yoga at home I would highly recommend trying a class. In particular I would recommend Mysore style classes. This type of class isn't lead by a teacher that you have to follow along. Instead all students do yoga on their own and the teacher is dedicated to correcting and helping students. A good experienced teacher can make a lot of valuable corrections and can help you get into positions that you can't do alone (yet).

Re: Squats can boost brain activity [video]

#72
post #29

Squat, Deadlift, Press

I like to do the powerlifting exercises on a powerlifting program, and then do arms and back on a bobdybuilding program. Keeps it interesting.

I’m sure you’ve heard of it, but for others - check out powerbuilding. It is the combination of power lifting and body building.

https://www.nifs.org/blog/powerbuilding-the-middle-ground-be...

Re: Squats can boost brain activity [video]

#73

Funny, back in my powerlifting days, I used to get asked a lot about "plateauing". My advice was almost always the same: do squats. The conversation usually went like this: - I'm benching all the time, but I can't get past 275. - How often do you squat? - Huh? I'm talking about bench press!

I’d always ask “How much are you eating?”

Re: Squats can boost brain activity [video]

#75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

there are 2 types of yoga that I found. one focusing on strength and flexibility, like you talked about. and one that feels like meditation, with a pagan ritual to the sun. when looking for a yoga program, how can I specify the former?

Unfortunately type 1 is a classic case of cultural appropriation. Yoga is fundamentally a spiritual exercise that aims to strengthen not just the body. Therefore, practices like Surya Namaskara are not just a series of exercises for strength and flexibility but also a must for spiritual improvement.

Sincere question: what do you mean by "spiritual improvement"?

Re: Squats can boost brain activity [video]

#76
post #18

My theory is that anaerobic exercise, like squats, uses up ATP in the muscles. To replenish the ATP, muscle cells pull glucose from the bloodstream thus lowering your blood sugar level which leaves you feeling relaxed. If done prior to sleeping it can help you sleep through the night rather than wake up at 2am. There may be other benefits as well. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

I remember reading somewhere that your brain receives a disproportionate amount of blood flow (in terms of ratio of total volemia) when exercising.

This adaptation means that when you work out you increase blood flow to your muscles _and_ brain, this would have made sense in a primordial scenario where you would be hunting or fighting for your life.

The positive benefits described in the link could just be a cascade of consequences from this increased blood flow and exchanges.

Re: Squats can boost brain activity [video]

#77
post #9
post #6

Funny how people become obsessed with specific movements, specific exercise styles, etc. I’ve done it all including becoming obsessed with Mark Rippetoe and the derivatives, cardio like running and mountain biking, swimming 2km a day (80 lengths) etc. The one thing that has absolutely transformed my life is yoga. No more back pain, insane strength I never had, no more injuries from eg lifting a 100 lbs propane tank a…

I want to try Yoga after seeing this. could I just find any youtube instructors and follow along, or is it important to find "the right ones"? How would you approach starting out (must be online, wife won't let me leave the house because of covid)?

I just restarted my ashtanga classes again after 1 year covid break (I just cant seem to focus at home with everything going on in the house).

For me it is not really a class anymore but supervised yoga. An instructor that walks around and helps me with my asanas and gives me hints to improve (aka Mysore). I can recommend it but it may be that instructors in Sweden are a bit more laid back when it comes to the weird stuff. And i can filter it anyway, when they talk about energies flowing through your head maybe they just wanted to say "keep a straight pose, it is good for you".

It really does wonders for my lower back. It just loves that kind of twisting and the core strength that comes with it.

But when I do it at home I use this one from Lesley Fightmaster. https://youtu.be/2wYN1IhnXT4

Re: Squats can boost brain activity [video]

#78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mentioned Rippetoe (Starting Strength). Did you leave it because you found flaws/issues with the program or you simply chose to switch to yoga. I am about to start lifting again after being away for a couple of years. Back then I was training at a Starting Strength certified gym. I also did a seminar with Mark. For me this was an eye opener. Up until I was introduced to his book I failed at anything having to do…

I’ll give you my 2 cents about Starting Strength. And please remember this is a sample size of n = 1. Other people (including yourself) will obviously have very different outcomes. TL;DR - starting strength got me to the strongest I’ve ever been. It got me stronger than I’ve ever been in my life. I’m 45 now and started when I was 32. I went from 180ish pounds to 230ish pounds in 19 months. I went from squatting the b…

I've read the book, and I'm still not sure wear the "gain killing" ideas come from.

The not doing the program sub-chapter seems to focus on hitting calorie targets and bar weight targets. Presumably "cardio" means you burn even more energy, but as long as you eat enough, I think it's within scope.

Your advice is solid though. Rippetoe focuses on increasing strength, so any other goals or constraints are up to the trainee.

Re: Squats can boost brain activity [video]

#79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd encourage you to try the 3 week yoga retreat I mentioned on the beachbody app (I'm not affiliated - I run a cybersecurity biz). It isn't a specific flavor of yoga - it's a nice mix of strength, balance - and the meditation you get for free. Yoga was created to get you into a meditative state through a series of movements that incorporate breathing. Do the movements with breath and you're already meditating.

Can you please link to it? Can‘t find it on AppStore

I’ve found this : https://apps.apple.com/fr/app/beachbody-%C3%A0-la-demande/id...

Re: Squats can boost brain activity [video]

#80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

there are 2 types of yoga that I found. one focusing on strength and flexibility, like you talked about. and one that feels like meditation, with a pagan ritual to the sun. when looking for a yoga program, how can I specify the former?

Unfortunately type 1 is a classic case of cultural appropriation. Yoga is fundamentally a spiritual exercise that aims to strengthen not just the body. Therefore, practices like Surya Namaskara are not just a series of exercises for strength and flexibility but also a must for spiritual improvement.

The overwhelming majority of Indians are supportive of people from other countries practicing Yoga, even if it is for physical health. The Indian government itself events for the International Day of Yoga.

So, even if one thinks that cultural appropriation is a thing, the culture where Yoga originated is perfectly happy with the appropriation.

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