VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3  
ISSN#: 1555-7723  Publisher: Scott Sonnon - Senior Editor: Ryan Murdock  

Joel Seymour has over two decades of experience with strength and conditioning training.  He has competed in amateur powerlifting and strongman events and is lifetime drug free.  Joel’s training has evolved from conventional strength training, and has included phases such as Olympic lifting, abbreviated training, “Dinosaur” training and strongman training.  He has utilized tools such as kettlebells and strongman implements to improve his GPP. In addition, Joel has trained a variety of athletes, including natural bodybuilders, martial artists, tri-athletes, general fitness seekers and strength athletes. Joel is now is focusing on recapturing his body’s natural mobility through the Three Wings of CST.


Review: CST Iota Seminar

by Joel Seymour

Let me open this report by thanking Coach Sonnon, Coach Dan, Coach Joe, Coach Brandon and Coach Ryan for the attention and inspiration that they gave me at Iota. And to Nikolay Travkin and his team, thank you for your incredible logistical work.

I participated in strength sports, in particular powerlifting and strongman, for over 20 years, and I have close to 25 years strength training experience. When I first thought about participating in CST Iota I was fearful that I wouldn’t “fit in,” as I have deconditioned my flexibility and I have zero experience in martial arts. I took the leap and signed up anyway.

When I arrived at the seminar I walked into a room where people were in various stages of preparation. Head Coach Dan Chomycia immediately came over after registration to greet me. After Coach Dan left I introduced myself to the other participants, and they did likewise.

It was clear that the Head Coaches share a deep trust and fondness for each other that spills over into the training and allows you to create and cement friendships. One by one all of the Head Coaches came over to introduce themselves. For all that they are and can do, they are BY FAR the MOST approachable and friendly people you will ever meet.

The days were divided into periods of lectures followed by either Clubbell exercises or mobility drills. I could do some of the movements I could do and I had trouble with others, but there was always someone nearby to help, guide or encourage me. I learned about areas of conditioned inflexibility and areas where I am simply fearful of performing a certain movement, and I learned how important breath is in creating structure and movement.

While the conventional view of lectures is just a talking head preaching theory, we were encouraged to participate in the lecture portions of the seminar – really, you just can’t help it! The lectures brought to life the black and white print and made it real and personal for me.

Over the course of the weekend I awoke each morning with a new sort of awareness of my body. It’s not the same stiffness that you get from overuse or from “heavy” traditional workouts, but rather a sensation that a muscle group has been awakened or challenged. I had a sensation of feeling muscles that hadn't been used in years, rather than that fearful feeling that it was going to hurt when I moved. You really have to experience this to appreciate the feeling!

When I walked into the training room on Day 2 and 3 the energy was palpable. Coach Joe capitalized on that and took us through his warm up.

As a side note, I attended the additional FlowFighting sessions taught by Coach Joe and Coach Brandon, and the second session by Coach Dan and Coach Ryan. Having no martial arts background, I wanted to see how it was done. The Coaches were absolutely fabulous, and they were able to help me out while also helping the far more experienced.

I’ll admit that I was a bit intimidated by the Prasara section of the seminar, as Prasara seemed about as far from me as Alberto’s house in Italy. I was pleasantly surprised. While I am no Prasara guru by any means, I have to say that after those three solid days I am aware of what I need to work on, of how to effectively and efficiently go about it, and I feel that I came away with the tools to make it happen.

I am a 220+ pound guy who is not used to being “off his feet” and who has conditioned fear and inflexibility in the neck and traps. The Coaches put me through a series of simple exercises that soon had me moving almost into a full plough. I have no doubt that I will be able to perform at a much higher level - in Clubbells™, Prasara and Intu-Flow™ - by the November CST seminar.

If you think you aren’t ready for a CST Session, you’re wrong. The time is always prime for learning and for self-discovery. You will learn more in three days working under the tutelage of the Head Coaching Staff and with the help of your fellow participants than you will ever learn from studying books and DVDs. There is no substitute for this type of learning. However, be forewarned that you are there to work, and work you will!

Believe me, I felt like the least prepared person going into the seminar, but I was just “one of the Tribe” when I walked out.

Take the leap. You won’t be disappointed.

_________________
Joel Seymour

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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3
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ATTENTION: Nothing within this magazine intends to constitute an explanation of the use of any product or the carrying out of any exercise, procedure or process introduced by or within any material in the magazine.  This site and its officers and employees accept no responsibility for any liability, injuries or damages arising out of any person's attempt to rely upon any information contained herein. Consult your doctor before any exercise selection or program.