Hardstyle Ventura 2011
How to Dramatically Increase Your Hardstyle Kettlebell and Bodyweight Strength & Relaxation & Flexibilty
2 Day Workshop with
Chief RKC Pavel,
-Master RKC Geoff Neupert-
-Master RKC David Whitley-
-Senior RKC Dr Mark Cheng-
-Senior RKC Dan John-
-Senior RKC Mark Toomey-
&
RKC 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.
Pavel’s Flexibility and Mobility Resources “Saved My Life” Says Master RKC
If you don’t know the power of Pavel’s flexibility secrets and their relation to your and your client’s training, then listen to what 2 time Oklahoma Strongest Man, 2001 North America Strongest Man (275 pound division), and Master RKC and CK-FMS Jeff O’Conner has to say:
The first thing I said to Pavel when we met years ago was that “Super Joints” and “Relax into Stretch” saved my life. That might have been a slight embellishment, but it certainly saved my career and quality of life.
Hardstyle is appropriate tension, relaxation, alignment, movement and the constant interplay of all these things. It is health and performance.
So many of Pavel’s products are dedicated to mobility, flexibility, and relaxation that it’s impossible to make a reasonable argument against that being part of our system.
We even have a joint certification with FMS. For some reason, the better I get at relaxation, the better I get at tension and the more I work through old injuries. That’s Hardstyle in my book. It’s what I live and what I teach.
If these secrets are good enough for North America’s Strongest Man (and a large one at that) aren’t they good enough for you and your clients?
There is no question these secrets are a vitally important part of our system. Yet they are “less sexy” perhaps and so you don’t hear much about it.
When I heard Jeff say this on the RKC private forum, I resolved to make sure more people understood what they are missing about the importance of relaxation and flexibilty – and to give them the best tool for learning their power - from the Chief himself.
Do you really want to miss out on the other HALF of RKC/Hardstyle Training?
Don’t you want to see how Pavel received his nickname “The Evil Russian”?
Do you want to see immediate results? Dave and Geoff will be doing applied strength on the same day so you can see the carryover of your knew found flexibility!
These Game Changing Flexibility Secrets Worth the Price of Admission Alone
Pavel hardly ever teaches flexibilty workshops any more so not many are aware of the life changing results they provide to you and your clients.
Your outlook on training in general and Hardstyle will drastically change after seeing what Pavel demonstrates and teaches at HSV. This alone is worth your admission. Day two as icing on the cake.
Experience the Perfect Balance of Flexibility and Tension
Your body will feel the benefits of these seemingly opposed modes of movement and dynamics like it was the first time. Pavel will break everything down for you.
Bring a notepad and then pass this information on to your clients and become the best trainer in your town.
Another Bonus: Learn How to Massage Yourself – And Get Stronger
On Day Two, Dr. Mark Cheng will teach pistols. He will also show the benefits of the Rumble Roller, and Nate Flores will have some on hand for you to take home!
Here is what the Rumble Roller can do for you and your clients:
The surface of the RumbleRoller contains specially designed bumps that are firm, but flexible, much like the thumbs of a massage therapist.
As you roll over the top of the RumbleRoller, the bumps continuously knead the contours of your body, gently stretching soft tissue (muscle and fascia) in multiple directions. This action erodes trigger points, helps restore flexibility, and brings quick relief to common types of muscular pain. By design, the RumbleRoller’s bumps are firmer than muscle tissue, but much softer than bone, so they deflect out of the way if they contact your spine or other bony protrusions.
See How Dr. Cheng will teach you how to use this device to improve your pistol.
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, grip moves, pistols 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
Pavel is The Godfather of modern kettlebell training aka. the RKC. If there were no Pavel, there would be no kettlebell movement in the world.
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 Tsatsouline 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.
Senior RKC Mark “Doc” Cheng
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!
Senior RKC Dan John
Dan John has been teaching and coaching for well over thirty years. He is the former Strength Coach and Head Track and Field Coach at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper, Utah He remains a full-time on-line religious studies instructor for Columbia College of Missouri and contributing writer to Men’s Health. Originally from South San Francisco, Dan came to Utah to throw the discus for Utah State University and recently returned “home” after 35 years away. He currently lives in Burlingame, California.
Dan has Masters degrees in history and in religious education, as well as intensive work at the American University in Cairo, University of Haifa, and Cornell. Dan has written articles for Catechetical Update and Utah Historical Quarterly, as well as being a columnist for the Intermountain Catholic. Dan was also a Fulbright Scholar in 1985.
In addition, Dan writes articles for a variety of strength magazines and publishes a little newsletter called Get Up, which registers up to a quarter of a million hits a month. You can also read his work at dragondoor.com and tmuscle.com, and magazines like Men’s Health and Outside and his busy forum at davedraper.com . If you sneak over the border into Utah and want to work out, give him a shout.
At home, he is humbled by his lovely wife, Tiffini, whose middle name is not “long suffering” no matter how often it is repeated, and his two daughters, Kelly and Lindsay.
In his athletic career, among many other championships and records, Dan has won the Master Pleasanton Highland Games twice, American Masters Discus Championships several times, the National Masters Weightlifitng Championship once and holds the American Record in the Weight Pentathlon.
Senior RKC Mark Toomey
Mark Toomey (right) is a fitness instructor from Reno, Nevada. He serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in fitness and conditioning for the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. He is the Director of Operations for Dragon Door Publications, a producer of cutting edge material on strength and conditioning and acts as a Senior Instructor for the RKC, the first and largest entity specializing in kettlebell and body weight exercise instruction. Mark is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a certified CK-FMS practitioner.
RKC Gus Petersen
Gus Petersen has been a personal trainer at the Cherry Creek Athletic Club in Denver for more than 20 years. He became certified as an RKC Level I instructor in April 2004 and has since served as an assistant instructor at several RKC certifications in Minneapolis. In April 2010, Gus attended the first Dragon Door Indian Club Certification Workshop and earned his Indian Club Specialist Certification through Dr. Ed Thomas and Brett Jones. Gus is also certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFFA) and has a degree in sports medicine technology. In September 2010, Dragon Door released a series of five instructional DVDs featuring the Kettlebell Athletic Training (K.A.T.) Fitness System, a complete system of original kettlebell juggling techniques that Gus spent the past three years developing.
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.
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.
“…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?
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 Mark Toomey. Pavel and Mark teach private tactical/practical kettlebell and bodyweight courses for Elite Members of the U.S. Military. Mark will teach some of what he teaches to those whose lives depend on their strength and conditioning.
Dan John will give a talk on “Training and Life” to put everything in perspective and to give some rest with the busy schedule.
Dr. Mark Cheng’s presentation on the ancient “horse stance” last year was a highlight. This year Doc will go deep into his progression on one legged squats “pistols.”
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. We will have all sizes from 10 pounds to 32 kilo on hand for you to use and purchase at the event. If you want to buy a bell heavier than 32 kg, then email Nate to set it up: kettlebellcrush@me.com
Save on your shipping costs and pick up your KBs conveniently in Ventura!
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.
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, Mark Toomey, Cheng, and Peterson outside the RKC then this is your one chance.
What is my investment?
You are in for BOTH DAYS for $899.00!!!
BUT, you can take advantage of our still pretty early bird RKC program and register for only $599.
This special offer is only good if you register before July 30.
After July 30 it is $899.
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. SPOTS ARE LIMITED.
Helping You Deepen Your Knowledge and Practice of Strength-
Sean Schniederjan
Strength Productions LLC
For more information or answers to your questions, please contact Sean Schniederjan sean@hardstyleventura.com