August 19: Mind Stilling and Breath
Now that I’ve done the majority of the workout snippets that Sam has shared on TikTok, and I’ve done several themed workouts from The Micro Squad’s Geek Gym, I feel like I’ve gotten a taste of what to expect from Valkyrie Squad when it kicks off here in a couple weeks. I’m STILL SORE from Sweat and Sass two days ago, and I know that Sam is gonna absolutely bring it when VS goes live, but there’s an aspect of Valkyrie Training that I’ve not touched yet: Mind Stilling and Breath.
Mind Stilling as described in the book, is a form of Breath Control and Meditation that the Valkyries utilized during training, daily life, and especially on the battle field; enabling them to maintain calm and focus when faced with difficult situations. The idea being that one could breathe through the acknowledgement of danger and fear, and let it go. Like a wave that crashes in, it must also draw back out.
I am the Rock Against which the Surf Crashes. Nothing Can Break me. Gwyn, ACOSF
This was the visualization cue, to be as unmovable as the rock the surf pounds daily, to be sturdy, strong, and unyielding.
I started today with my breath being my focus, forcing myself to breathe deep into my belly, long and slow breaths until I felt like every cell in my body had been hyper infused with energy. I transitioned from sitting and breathing to moving through balance poses, again with my breath as my focus, only moving when my breath moved within me, through me, syncing up my lungs with my muscles. Barefoot on the mat so that my feet and toes became roots that held me to the ground. After only a few poses and transitions my muscles were trembling with the sheer focus I had imposed upon them, and I didn’t lose my balance a single time.
Once I felt thoroughly warmed up and positively buzzing with the energy I had breathed in so fully and my muscles feeling it, I started in on a mix of drills from my recent work outs. Here’s how they played out.
Drills
Around the world Plank– Modified to my knees because I’m just not to full plank yet, both hands planted firmly under my shoulders. Drop one side down to the elbow, then the other, and back up again. That’s 1 rep, then alternate to the other side dropping down first. Keep it up for 2 minutes.
Kneeling Squat to overhead Raise– On my knees with my butt seated on my feet, a 10lb weight in both hands at my middle, lift the booty off the feet and thrust the hips forward while raising the weight overhead, then back down to seated. Keep the core tight. 2 minutes
Standing March– 8-10lb weight in one hand overhead, other arm extended out sideways. Starting with the Opposite side the weight is on, lift the knees high to the chest in a standing march, making sure to really pull that knee as high as possible and tight to the chest. March for 1 minute on each side.
Dead Bugs– flat on the back, knees bent and legs elevated so calves are parallel to the floor, arms raised directly in front. Extend opposing limbs, left leg straightened and down to hover above the ground while the right arm reaches high above my head, back to start. Alternate sides and do for 2 minutes
Curtsey Lunges– 2 minutes
Goddess Squats– to failure. Meaning don’t quit when it hurts, quit when I literally could not do another because my legs stopped working. Make sure the core is engaged and hips are traveling straight down, not back. Mind your breath with these.
Shoulderblade Squeeze– Arms up over head, bring the elbows out wide so that when you bring them down, they squeeze into your sides, as you bring the shoulder blades as close together as tightly as possible. 2lb weights in hand, for 2 minutes. Do this one slowwwwww and focus on the breath as you squeeze and release.
Trove Swimming– onto the belly, arching back so chest and feet are slightly off the ground, arms out in front like super man, and then breast stroke the arms back as if swimming in water. Helps if you think you’re being chased by a Kelpie in a bog full of dead things.
I did this twice.
Cooldown with Yrsa, walked a mile and guzzled some water. My muscles have reached the point of shaking so much I feel like I’m buzzing. I also want lunch and it’s only 7:45a. Where is my enchanted house to bring me snacks that I don’t have to make myself? Gotta work on that next.
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