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yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 10:47:25 AM   
songbird26


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Joined: 1/16/2005
Status: offline 		I was in the middle of a pilates class this morning, and for the first time it struck me how wonderful this kind of non-impact, stretchy exercise is for anyone who's a submissive.

There's breathing control, which is a marvelous thing to know in times of stress or pain or high emotion; there's flexibility and fine motor control training, wonderful for anyone who might be asked to contort or hold strange positions for long stretches of time; there's the fact that any kind of stretching and muscle-strengthening exercise just might reduce the "worshipping at the altar of Ibuprofen" feeling of the morning after a scene. I've got a number of old work-related injuries and aches and pains, and I think most of us probably have bits that don't work quite right any more, and anything that reduces stiffness is a good thing. Not to mention the benefits that can come from simply being more in touch with one's own body in all its myriad parts.

Being a sub can be extraordinarily stressful, which I haven't seen mentioned much 'round these parts (I assume it must be the same for dominants, though I can't speak from experience there). The fundamental desire to please, when given free rein in a submissive, demands hyperawareness of the dominant's moods and level of approval, and an internalization of any mistake or disapproval (real or percieved) that can cause almost crippling anxiety, even when you're dealing with the most concientious or noncritical of dominants. Striving for perfection or close can bring a lot of internal pressure to bear, emotionally. And as a longtime practitioner of yoga and karate, I can testify that they really are calming and balancing and relaxing and strengthening, all good things.

Anyone else have experiences with this being helpful? Any other activities or practices that might make a positive difference for someone in an alternative lifestyle? I'd love to hear about them.

< Message edited by songbird26 -- 2/16/2005 12:24:08 PM >
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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 10:55:55 AM   
TallDarkAndWitty


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quote:

ORIGINAL: songbird26
Anyone else have experiences with this being helpful? Any other activities or practices that might make a positive difference for someone in an alternative lifestyle? I'd love to hear about them.


Ballet dancers (and dancers in general) make fabulous subs. They have a wonderful discipline that serious dance demands. Ballet class, itself, is a very submissive experience. The top teacher in a school or company is known as the Ballet Master. Add the grace, flexibility, and strength that dance develops and you have yourself a lovely little subbie assembly line. *wink*

Hmmm...makes me thing I should start teaching a ballet class for submissives.

Taggard

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 10:56:13 AM   
Goodmix


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Status: offline 		I tried pilates, and i enjoyed it. it was more of a SLOW toning, and i was not losing weight. I also tried the "Slim in 6" program which was wonderful. Toned me up quickly, and took of some weight, (even thougth muscle weights more than fat)
My take on this is that being fit helps in the physical aspect of being submissive. i can edure more, mentaly & physically

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 12:18:44 PM   
sub4hire


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quote:

Being a sub can be extraordinarily stressful, which I haven't seen mentioned much 'round these parts (I assume it must be the same for dominants, though I can't speak from experience there). The fundamental desire to please, when given free rein in a submissive, demands hyperawareness of the dominant's moods and level of approval, and an internalization of any mistake or disapproval (real or percieved) that can cause almost crippling anxiety, even when you're dealing with the most concientious of dominants.


I agree pilates can be very relaxing. Well, any sort of exercise breaks stress up. At least for me anyway.

I've never found being whom I am a stressful situation. I can imagine if I were with one of those who try to set you up to fail just so punishment can follow. Then again, I would'nt be with one of those.
True, I do not like to disappoint. It is extremely rare that I ever do. I usually think of him first always. It is a bit hard to mess up when you do that.

Anyway, so the question is. How many subs think being a sub is stressful?

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 12:33:18 PM   
songbird26


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quote:

ORIGINAL: sub4hire

I've never found being whom I am a stressful situation. I can imagine if I were with one of those who try to set you up to fail just so punishment can follow. Then again, I would'nt be with one of those.
True, I do not like to disappoint. It is extremely rare that I ever do. I usually think of him first always. It is a bit hard to mess up when you do that.

Anyway, so the question is. How many subs think being a sub is stressful?



I suppose I should have been a little more clear: as a perfectionist and overachiever, I, personally, find being a sub rather stressful, about on par with my fairly intense job. :) There is an alertness and tension in trying to be aware of the dominant's wishes that is stressful, though not necessarily in a bad way. I suppose it comes from wanting to be held in high esteem by someone who I respect so highly, and the fact that I don't have a long-term committed dom/sub relationship in my life right now (I certainly hope to relax into familiarity a bit when that occurs. *grin*). And a desire to honor the dominant by giving him or her my absolute best. I wouldn't be with a setter-up-to-fail either, but I do adore the successful completion of a challenge or difficult assignment. I wouldn't have it any other way! But I enjoy the destressing process as well.

< Message edited by songbird26 -- 2/16/2005 6:11:05 PM >

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 12:52:06 PM   
topcat


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quote:

Being a sub can be extraordinarily stressful, which I haven't seen mentioned much 'round these parts (I assume it must be the same for dominants, though I can't speak from experience there).


Midear Songbird-

Now you're doing it too <g>. How about "Being a human can be extraordinarily stressful..." ?

Seriously, and as a person who thinks (for myself) that having an 'exercise program' is a failure on my part to have an sufficently full and active life, Pilates are just amazing. I have a dim veiw of systems/programs/whathave you, in general, but really find pilates to be the best of the breed, and actually effective for most people.

I am fortunate in that my daily life involves a fair amount of moving, bending, stretching and lifting, but if I was trapped at a desk all day, I'd likely still be at the dojo or aikiki three nights a week, as I would lose my mind with the physical aspect of release.

And as for Submission or dominace being stressful?

It is- if you are doing it right<g>.

Stay warm,
Lawrence

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 1:00:47 PM   
sub4hire


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quote:

I suppose it comes from wanting to be held in high esteem by someone who I'd respect so highly, and the fact that I don't have a long-term committed dom/sub relationship in my life right now (I certainly hope to relax into familiarity a bit when that occurs. *grin*).


I guess that is they key. March 8th will mark our 6th year together. Only at times of illness or worse has it ever been stressful for me. It is the exact opposite, quite relaxing when I'm with him. Day to day stuff that doesn't involve him is very stressful. Every time I get a massage I get to hear how tight my muscles are. Yet, I honestly don't seem to notice on a day to day basis.
I assume when you are first getting to know someone or at the early stages of any relationship life is a bit more stressful.

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 1:16:58 PM   
pandoravampire


Posts: 374
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Status: offline 		I agree that any form of exercise that increases tone, stamina, co-ordination, relaxation is going to be of benefit for any bdsm'r, not just the subs.

But i can also empathise with the role of sub as stressful. Anticipation alone brings me stresses, did i get it right? did i do this well, could i of done it better, my bloody back is killing me in this position etc etc.

Stress is a good thing. It produced results. Only when it is excessive to required output, is it detrimental. Balance i guess is where we aim.


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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 1:48:28 PM   
fencerpet19


Posts: 169
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Status: offline 		Now of course I have to advocate my favorite sport/martial art here: Fencing! It is a great way to get out stress and frustration and is the only sport in which it's okay to stab your friends! It requires a LOT of discipline and a sharp mind. Plus, the fact that you get to wear those awesome uniforms and swing a sword around is pretty cool!

Fencing, unlike soccer or basketball, really focuses on specific muscle groups. So you won't be as out of breath as you would be say running (If you want good legs take up fencing), but it is a great workout! And ladies, it's a male dominated sport, so there are lots of opportunities for flirting So far I know of 3 fencers who are in to BDSM, and I've only been fencing since August... so maybe there's a trend. Who knows. Many clubs offer one free lesson to those interested in fencing, so I suggest checking out your local club. You'll get hooked!
~FP

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 2:00:26 PM   
quietkitten


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From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline 		Yoga is wondeful.. it helps me relax and stretch out. It also helps with my breathing and my stress levels. Now if I could only find a master to see if it helps with sessions.....

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 2:44:08 PM   
christne


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Status: offline 		While I love yoga and pilates, I'd just rather run for an hour. My life isn't terribly stressful as I am pretty much a stay at home slave and I work when Master needs me to in our businesses. I do think that the hour I get to be in my own 'zone' really helps me keep my focus on Master for the other 23 hours in the day. Aside from that, my stamina has increased as has my flexibility from the regular exercise so that's a plus when we play!



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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 6:10:22 PM   
songbird26


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quote:

ORIGINAL: TallDarkAndWitty

Hmmm...makes me thing I should start teaching a ballet class for submissives.

Taggard


Oooh, dance. Yes! The discipline of controlled, slow, graceful movement is definitely something that I associate with submission: being able to move the body as directed, even in ways it doesn't usually go. I'd never even thought of dance, but definitely.

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 6:15:39 PM   
siamsa24


Posts: 2426
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Status: offline 		Being very active I am currently training in my third style of martial arts, I grapple (I actually used to compete, but they have since changed to rule to "no girls allowed" grrrrrr........), I take classes in modern dance, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pop jazz and pointe, I run, swim and do yoga and kick boxing. I tried cutting back once and I just ended up having way too much energy and didn't know what to do with myself

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 6:22:50 PM   
songbird26


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quote:

ORIGINAL: topcat

Now you're doing it too <g>. How about "Being a human can be extraordinarily stressful..." ?

And as for Submission or dominace being stressful?

It is- if you are doing it right<g>.



Dear Lawrence-

It's true, being a regular ol' human is stressful enough! And as a huge advocate of the whole mind/body health connection, at least for myself, the daily move-stretch-lift-exercise thing is entirely essential for sanity. I'm realizing, though, that the actual act of submitting--the positions, the mental space, the giving up of the body to another person's control--these things place certain unusual and rather extreme stresses on the mind and body (and again, I'm guessing that the same happens with dominants, but it's only a guess). Kind of like a really intense and demanding session in the dojo, when the sensei was in a state and we reaped the whirlwind, so to speak. *grin* As such, I was thinking that yoga and pilates and other activities, which combine relaxation with strengthening and suppling, might just have to go into my regular standard routine, since they're so darn helpful.

Or maybe I'll think about taking that bellydancing class! LOL.

-Songbird

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 6:30:03 PM   
RiotGirl


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< Message edited by RiotGirl -- 3/15/2005 10:37:28 PM >

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/16/2005 7:59:42 PM   
NoPinkBalloons


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quote:

ORIGINAL: fencerpet19

Fencing, unlike soccer or basketball, really focuses on specific muscle groups.


If you think fencing does that, try synchronized swimming - isolating specific muscles and moving them oh so slowly, through the water, in perfect synch with 9 other people, and making it look beautiful to boot. :)

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/17/2005 1:22:54 AM   
fencerpet19


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quote:

ORIGINAL: NoPinkBalloons

If you think fencing does that, try synchronized swimming - isolating specific muscles and moving them oh so slowly, through the water, in perfect synch with 9 other people, and making it look beautiful to boot. :)


I've always been kind of curious about synchronized swimming. I was glued to the TV all during the summer Olympics, and they make it look so easy. But I bet it's not. Sure looks cool though!
~FP

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/17/2005 7:38:10 AM   
happypervert


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Status: offline 		I suppose then I ought to give up yoga and find an activity that would be better suited for dominants. Kendo perhaps? How about fly fishing -- that would be like using a REALLY long whip. Maybe I should take up macrame because I like bondage. heh

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/17/2005 7:41:16 AM   
siamsa24


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Status: offline 		I would recommend taking a non-weapons form of martial arts before starting Kendo because you will need to know the basics of martial arts before starting. Athough that just may be in the school that I have been to.

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RE: yoga, pilates, and karate, oh my! - 2/17/2005 10:38:27 AM   
topcat


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quote:

I would recommend taking a non-weapons form of martial arts before starting Kendo because you will need to know the basics of martial arts before starting. Athough that just may be in the school that I have been to.


Midear Monkeygirl-

I actually take exactly the opposite stance (especially when dealing with VSK=VerySmallKohei=kids). I find that I can use the external thing- the shinai in this case, as a way to aid thier focus, and sometimes actually as a handle to guide their movement.

Also, as many technichques are actually 'Mu-To' (no sword, that is they are based on a sword strike, but empty handed) it gives a more natural progession to the training, and a bit more power to the strikes.

Not a common notion, but actually a more tradtional approach.

Stay warm,
Lawrence

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