Hardstyle Ventura 2011

How to Dramatically Increase Your Hardstyle Kettlebell Strength & Relaxation & Flexibilty

2 Day Workshop with

Chief RKC Pavel,

-Master RKC Geoff Neupert-

-Master RKC David Whitley-

-???????-

-RKC TL Dr. Mark Cheng-

&

Gus Peterson

November 5 & 6, 2011, 8:00am-5:00pm (Both Days)

On the Beach in Ventura, California

What is “Hardstyle”?

“Hardstyle” is reverse engineered body language of the most powerful people in the world.

Originally “hard style” referred to martial arts like karate which concentrated total body muscle tension into one extraordinary effort—“one punch, one kill”. When Pavel served in the Soviet Special Forces, his unit was among those who had adopted a karate-based style of hand-to-hand combat. The hard style of kettlebell training was born to support the hard style of fighting.

Determined to take the skill of strength as far as possible, Pavel researched every possible venue that could be of help ranging from reading obscure neuroscience papers and old Soviet biomechanics texts, to picking the brains of gymnastics, powerlifting, and arm-wrestling elite. Powerlifting coach Louie Simmons has said it best: “Pavel has reverse engineered what the strongest athletes do naturally”.  This is Hardstyle.

There are two sides of the Hardstyle Coin: Tension and Relaxation.  To say Hardstyle is only tension is to miss something essential. 

Hardstyle Ventura 2011 will be a lesson in both and will demonstrate how implementing both strength and relaxation make you stronger and more relaxed.

What will it do for me?

If you have been around the block, you will noticeably and immediately improve your grip strength, relaxation, insane flexibilty, double kettlebell drills, single kettlebell drills, and kettlebell juggling.

If you are new to strength, you will learn how to do these lifts right on the spot or, if you have a long way to go, get a clear set of individualized instructions for mastering them.

Attendees “Like” Hardstyle Ventura!

About 35 people showed up to train at HSV 2009 for one day.  Of those, 15 returned for HSV 2010.  Last year, over 60 showed up for two days.  Several excited attendees told me afterwards “whatever you are doing next year, I am in!”

I was able to poll 42 attendees from last year.  Every single one said that the workshop met or went above and beyond their expectations.

This workshop is first and foremost offered to RKCs who want the chance to train with the Master Trainers and any new information they have in a less demanding environment than the RKC.  You have earned it.

Secondly, it is for people who are interested in RKC/Hardstyle Training but might not be ready for the high RKC commitment.  Here is what HSVer Emilio DiPretoro said last year about his experience:

“I have been to 2 “Other” certifications [Crossfit] in last 12 months.  This was a paradigm shift for me, and I look forward to attending RKC I, eventually 2 and the CKFMS workshops.  Great information: presented clearly and concisely in an informal, laid back setting.  Thanks guys.” -Emilio DiPretoro, Denver CO

Iron Tamer, Sr. RKC Doug Nepodal and Rif @HSV 2010

Pavel Tsatsouline, RKC Chief Instructor

Is The Godfather of modern kettlebell training aka. the RKC.  If there were no Pavel, there would be no kettlebell movement in the U.S.

Pavel started to gain fame in 1998 when he was published for the first time in MILO magazine. Pavel’s subversive article, Vodka, Pickle Juice, Kettlebell Lifting, and Other Russian Pastimes, was extremely well received by the most ruthless critics in the iron world.

In 2001, the “Year of the Kettlebell, Dragon Door published Pavel’s The Russian Kettlebell Challenge and forged the first US made Russian style cast iron kettlebell. RKC, the first kettlebell instructor course on American soil, kicked off. Later that year, Pavel Tsasouline was voted a “Hot Trainer” by Rolling Stone magazine.

Pavel Tsatsouline will always reign as the modern king of kettlebells since it was he who popularized them to the point where you could almost find a country filled with his converts as well as certified over 1000 kettlebell instructors all over the world and written best selling books on Bodyweight, Powerlifting, and Kettlebell strength training. 

Geoff Neupert, Master RKC

Geoff Neupert, Master RKC, has been an exercise professional for over 17 years and is currently the owner of Integrated Fitness Solutions, a personal training company in Durham, NC. He has logged well over 20,000 hours of one-on-one client sessions.

His background includes Division 1 Strength and Conditioning, Personal Training, and Post-Rehabilitation. He's either currently certified or has been certified through the following agencies: NSCA, USAW, RKC, NASM, ACE.

He loves kettlebells because they remind him of his passion for the Olympic lifts, but they allow him to train anytime, anywhere without negatively affecting his current life responsibilities.

“Iron Tamer” David Whitley, Master RKC

The Iron Tamer Philosophy

Old-timers of the iron game knew how to maximize their bodies, squeezing out every possible ounce of functional strength. Looks, while a consideration, were secondary. Just look at men like Arthur Saxon and Eugene Sandow. These were men of exceptional strength as well as ideal proportion. They knew that without strength, muscle was just in the way. 

Sadly, somewhere along the way this idea was lost. The "Jolly Game of Taming Iron" described by Russian Olympic lifter Yuri Vlasov has given way to the chrome machines and color-coded Ken-and-Barbie dumbells of today. 

Following the lead of Pavel Tsatsouline, Iron Tamer is about reclaiming our past. If you are looking for discussion about the latest super-supplement, elliptical machines or muscle isolation techniques, this is not the place for you. 

Mark "Doc" Cheng, RKC Team Leader

Dr. Mark Cheng is a world renowned expert in East Asian martial arts, holding instructor credentials in several systems and having researched martial & restorative/holistic arts around the world. He serves as a contributing editor to Black Belt Magazine - the world's leading magazine of self defense. Through his lifelong love of martial arts, he began to study Tui-Na (www.tui-na.net) (Chinese manual medicine) and holds a Ph..D. in Chinese medicine, specializing in orthopedics. His dissertation was on the treatment of cervicogenic migraine headaches using traditional Chinese manipulative medicine. He also holds a California state licensure to practice acupuncture. Dr. Cheng is a former faculty member at two of the premier Chinese medical universities in Southern California, and currently serves as a faculty member of Gray Cook's Functional Movement Systems (www.functionalmovement.com).

In the field of kettlebell training, Dr. Cheng was highly fortunate to receive the vast majority of his kettlebell training directly from RKC Chief Instructor, Pavel Tsatsouline. Seeing the immediate clinical application of Tsatsouline's Hard Style strength & rehab methods to chronic pain and athletic injury rehabilitation, Dr. Cheng certified as an RKC instructor under his mentor and now serves as an RKC Team Leader level instructor. He travels around the world, assisting Tsatsouline in instructor certifications and teaching his own rehab-based or martial arts-based workshops. Dr. Cheng authored the Kettlebells from the Ground-Up manual, expounding on the Turkish Get-Up for functional movement rehabilitation and serves as an assistant instructor for the CK-FMS (Corrective Kettlebell - Functional Movement Specialist) workshops. He is featured in the upcoming Kettlebells from the Ground Up II: The Advanced Progressions.

Based in Southern California, Dr. Cheng is the Chief Instructor of Kettlebells Los Angeles, where his clientele include everyone from pro athletes & celebrities to teenagers and housewives. He has trained such luminaries as Guro Dan Inosanto, Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's Rigan Machado, and assisted his mentor, Pavel Tsatsouline, with law enforcement and military training. No other instructor brings the rare mix of martial arts master, physician, and kettlebell instructor to the game like Dr. Cheng does!

What they say about Pavel’s training

“Pavel is the leading proponent of applied flexibility training for bodybuilding and strength athletics at work in the field today. His ideas are dynamic and fresh, he razes the sacred temples and shows the serious-minded fitness devotee another avenue of improvement. Real knowledge for real people interested in real progress." -- Marty Gallagher

“If I could have met Pavel in the early ’80s, I might have won two gold medals.”—Dr. Dennis Koslowski, Olympic Silver Medallist Greco-Roman Wrestling

“… if I were to recommend one Physical Training program to develop a Marine’s overall strength and fighting capability, it would be one prescribed by Pavel Tsatsouline. His exercise principles are well researched, easy to implement, and focus directly on a functional end-state: high caliber efficiency. From hoisting his beloved Kettlebells to Janda sit-ups to one-legged squats, results are declarative… stop looking for a better piece of equipment or diet supplement and get ‘Pavelized.’” —George H. Bristol, Col., USMC, Founder Marine Corps Martial Arts Program

“… sophisticated and raw at the same time… Add nothing. Take nothing away. You… are the “Rolling Stones”, just keep playing and don’t die – that’s all you got to do.” —Gray Cook, consultant to the NHL, NBA, NFL, and WNBA, the author of Athletic Body in Balance

“Pavel is like a Jedi Master, I've read all his books and came in thinking I'd know most things… way wrong! Learned more than I ever thought possible.Pavel's depth of knowledge knows no bounds…”- Paul McIlroy, CSCS; Boxer, World Junior Power Lifting Champion

“I salute Pavel…” —Louie Simmons, Westside Barbell Club

Important – bring a notepad and pencil.  Guara Sanchez at HSV 2010.

Fun fact: there’s a pirate ship next to HSV.

Feedback from Previous HSVs:

“HSV 2009 was awesome. We did a lot, but everyone still felt strong afterwards. A second day is completely realistic and exciting.”

-Daniel N.

“There were so many new techniques and new ways of approaching "routine" exercises that by the end of the day I was in a stupor.  It became clear why so many people brought notepads to the event!”

-Dale A.

“I think an entire day for the Naked Warrior / bodyweight training was entirely appropriate.  I thought an excellent pace was maintained throughout that allowed for thorough presentation of the material and a chance for practical application.  In fact, I would have liked to have spent a bit more time on the press.” [we’ve brought in Kenneth Jay to Hardstyle Ventura 2010 to fix this problem]

-Jim Skislak RKC

“What I really liked was the personal attention due to the class size. There was literally an instructor per 5 students which is very rare. 

”Whatever you do, I can't wait to join again this year!”

-Amir K.

“One day, smokin' agenda!”

-George C.

“...this workshop was a revelation to me.  As a beginner I got a tremendous volume of information but it was presented in a way that I can understand and retain it.  Would have been worth it at twice the price. Thanks to you and to Pavel and the other instructors.  Fantastic job.  I will not only attend again work permitting but will try to get a crew to head west.”

-Mark L.

“I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed your seminar this past October in Ventura.  I found it to be tremendously educational and challenging and has allowed me to pass on the benefits I gained to my clients.”

-Antonio Cordova, NSCA-CPT, RKC II

“It was indeed a great workshop, and many thanks to Sean, Pavel, and all the RKCs present who assisted. It was great meeting so many people, and the community down in SoCal seemed pretty great!

The day was packed with more information that I thought could be taught in that timeframe, and all the exercises were rotated so there was no burnout on anything. We worked hard all day and were still able to do push-ups, pistols, and presses at quittin time. I don't recall working abs very much, but interestingly (to me, at least), those were the most sore muscles in my body on Monday!”

-vfb

“72 degrees, an ocean breeze, pull up bars and RKC's...nothing was missing.”

-Mark Toomey, RKC TL

“Thank you for making this "strength vacation" happen, Com. Sean!”

-Pavel Tsatsouline, Chief RKC

Come train with us!

Hardstyle Vacation:

HSVers taking notes.

At HSV 2009 I was talking to an RKC II at the pull-up bar.  We were noticing each other’s improvements in pull-ups in such a short time.  Both had huge smiles on our faces.

I asked him what he thought of the event.  His analysis: “this is just like an RKC, except its laid back.”

Hardstyle Ventura has a very similar feel to an RKC because of the personnel.   

But, there are no tests, no timer going off for swings (had to talk Dave Whitley out of that one last year), no burpees, and no anxiety.

RKC IIs Matt Seki and Aaron Gonzales

Just listen, take some notes, do your best, and put in practice what these master teachers are feeding you.  The soothing sounds of the ocean will calm you.

Most attendees I spoke with explained that they picked up more training tips and performed better than they ever had because of this relaxed atmosphere. 

But don’t get too comfortable listening to the sounds of the ocean, because when you open your eyes Pavel will be staring at you from 3 feet away.

You will be getting strong at the Marina Park in one of the last real beach towns in California, Ventura, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Ventura Foothills to provide a terrific backdrop for learning the skill of strength and will motivate you to push yourself farther than you ever have before! And why not bring your spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, or a whole family for a California vacation?

http://www.ventura-usa.com/

Snacks and water and some protein drinks will be provided. There are several quality restaurants within a short driving distance from the park. Last year most attendees stuck around the park and talked shop with the Masters…it was a thing of beauty. 

RKC George Sands gives the thumbs up.

Saturday night, November 6th we will have a feast.  I’ll be working on finding the best place for us.  I promise the food will not run out as it did last year J

Rif teaching planks at HSV 2010.

What’s the training schedule?

Day One gives you Pavel, Whitley, and Neupert.  Dave has been doing a lot of grip training lately, so he will show you how to have a vice grip.  He’ll also show some new material he has on one of the centers of the RKC universe, the Turkish Get-Up.

Pavel will be schooling us on an error regarding Hardstyle that comes up from time to time: that Hardstyle is only about tension.  I asked Pavel to go over his “greatest hits” from all his stretching resources and he said he will not only do that, but will reveal 25% new material.  He will also demonstrate how relaxation and stretching correctly apply to the other center of the kettlebell universe: the swing.

Geoff Neupert has written a best selling book on double kettlebell complexes called “Kettlebell Muscle.”  We all need muscle to be resilient so Geoff will teach us how to use two kettlebells in safe, effective ways.  He’ll also talk about what two KBs can do that one KB cannot.  And since Pavel has also written a book on double KB programs called “Return of the Kettlebell,” Pavel and Geoff will be tag teaming a session for the first time ever.

Day two will start off with a mystery presenter, because the person I had had to cancel.  So here’s what I’d like to do.  When you sign up, write a presenter’s name who you want to present and what KB/CK-FMS/ or BW Material you would like him or her to present.  Democracy is beautiful.  With the strength of the popular opinion, we can convince him or her to come out and teach.  (Jeff O’Conner is not an option).

Dr. Mark Cheng’s presentation on the ancient “horse stance” last year was a highlight.  He scored a 207 out of 210 on the reviews, which means he met or exceeded everyone in attendance’s expectations.  Doc has such an incredible range of martial arts, CK-FMS (he is a faculty member), and kettlebell experience that I’ve asked him to surprise us with something new and innovative like he did last year.  More info on this will be available as the workshop approaches.

HSV 2011 will close with the demonstrator of some of the most incredible displays I’ve seen with kettlebells:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSFyqYqqb8

Gus Peterson has developed a highly refined system for kettlebell juggling.  His opus contains five full length DVDs.  Gus will go over the highlights of his system, the benefits of implementing juggling into your practice, and show us how to get on the road to insane moves like the ones featured above.

Hardstyle Value

Friday Night Meet and Greet (this year we will have introductions!  Thanks to the HSVer who suggesting we do that) and GRAND PRIZE DRAWING at HSV 2010.

Since this event was such a smashing success last year, Dragondoor has graciously agreed to give each person who registers one of his books.  A FREE DRAGONDOOR BOOK!  For a list, go HERE:

http://www.dragondoor.com/cgi-bin/prod_list.pl?pauthor=Pavel%20Tsatsouline?affid=9036

Which one?  That is up to democracy to decide.  Once it gets close to the workshop, I will poll the registrants and ask which book you all prefer and the majority will decide (this includes titles such as Beyond Bodybuilding or Power to the People Professional, a $50 value!).  ($50 value)

Everyone will be getting together on Friday night, November 5 for a Meet and Greet overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the Crowne Plaza in Ventura.  We will be having a FREE PRIZE DRAWING.  I will have loads of Dragondoor goods on hand and you will have a high probability of taking something home with you for your training.

But wait, there’s MORE!  Hardstyle Ventura is an organic event that grows and changes each year.  Who knows what will happen next year.  I personally appreciate the quality of the individuals that signed up the last two years that made it the amazing workshop that it was. 

When you sign up, you will be put on my super secret mailing list to receive special offers and news on any workshop I produce with Dragondoor.

-You will be notified of future events before anyone else. 

-And most importantly, you will have the opportunity to sign up early for a future event at a generous DISCOUNTED rate. 

I sincerely appreciate this community and this is my way of saying thank you to everyone who invests in this kind of intelligent training and makes HSV the special event it has become ($150 value).

And lastly, we will have RKC kettlebells on hand from San Francisco distributor Nate Flores.  

Save on your shipping costs and pick up your KBs conveniently in Ventura! Here is what Nate is willing to do:

Register today and:

-Secure your spot for your 2 DAY HARDSTYLE VACATION;

-your FREE DRAGONDOOR BOOK;

-a CHANCE OF WINNING some training goods at the Friday Meet and Greet.

- SUPER SECRET MAILING LIST;

-SAVINGS and CONVENIENCE on your DRAGON DOOR orders that you can have in time to get broken in with the Pros at HSV 3.

The Power of the HSV Shirt.  The shirt design keeps getting better every year and this year I’ve hired a professional designer to take it to the next level.  You get one.  Here’s what happened with one of our shirts last year:

I gave the HSV shirt and a thumbs up to friend of HSV Yoana Snideman…and then this happened:

If you want to train with Pavel, Neupert, Tamer, ?????, Cheng, and Peterson outside the RKC then this is your one chance.

What is my investment?

You are in for BOTH DAYS for $999.00!!!

BUT, if you can take advantage of our early bird program and register for $599.  This special offer is only good if you register before June 15.  June 16 the price is $799 and after July 15 it is $999.

Most of the attendants at Hardstyle Ventura 2009 happily invested $499 for only one day! 

Can I just sit around and maybe sign up later?

NO.  YOU MUST MAKE HASTE! The class size is limited and the registration is on the first come, first serve basis.

Hardstyle Ventura 2010 was a smashing success and this year Dragondoor is helping put the word out (you’ve been warned).  SPOTS ARE LIMITED.

And this extremely low price will not last either:

SIGN UP NOW!

AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN NOVEMBER ON THE GOLDEN SHORES WITH 3 OF THE GREATEST, MOST HANDS ON AND INNOVATIVE TRAINING MINDS ON THE PLANET!!