Rest

Repost Blog: This blog was originally posted October 17, 2013.  Lately I've been forced into resting.  I've had to attend to a medical complication for my beloved little dog and at the same time, I experienced some medical issues of my own.  For the past few weeks I haven't been able to put together blogs like I have wanted to. I felt like it was the perfect time to revisit an important topic I have previously touched base on.  Rest.  Being the summer time, it's a good reminder while we are all out in the heat, traveling, or stressing out over our crazy changed up routines, that resting is welcomed and always good to embrace- even if we don't think our body needs it. 


While reading the book Vertical Athlete: Fundamentals in Training for Pole Fitness and Dance, I noticed a common theme throughout the reading that I felt was of particular importance.  The concept of rest.

Rest? It's almost unheard of in today's fast paced high tech society.  We're always on the go, doing something, multitasking, thinking two steps ahead, ready for what's next.  Now a days, many people would laugh and ask the rhetorical question- what is rest?

Well, I decided to go ahead and ask my Bing search engine this exact question and lo and behold, it did not let me down:

Definition of rest (n)

Bing Dictionary

rest [ rest ] 1.stopping of work or activity: a state or period of refreshing freedom from exertion

2.sleep: the repose of sleep that is refreshing to body and mind and is marked by a reduction in metabolic activity

3.absence of movement: the cessation of movement or action

The CDC has conducted recent studies indicating the United States has a problem with insufficient sleep and warns it is a public health problem.  Anyone not living in a cave is probably already well aware lack of sleep in today's society is a problem.  But how does this concept relate to your workout?  More specifically,  pole dancing? 

 

Freel (2013) depicts the relation of rest to pole dancing as being integral to the body's overall performance.  Without an adequate rest phase, the body is unable to recover and subjected to an increased risk for injury.  This makes sense when it's spelled out, however to actually engage yourself in rest is easier said than done.  Over the years, I've done a lot of self learning and seeking out additional information. Early on in my pole journey, I found a network of supportive fellow pole dancing enthusiasts.  One of the earliest concepts I learned was integrating a "Rest Day" into my pole workouts.  Initially this was a day full of doing nothing fitness related.  As I've progressed in my own pole progress and education, I have learned that many consider their "Rest Day" to actually be a day of low-impact activity such as walking and or light stretching.  Being fit and healthy is a lifestyle, therefore continuing your activity on your "Rest Day" and keeping it to a 30 minute walk with some stretching is adequate for your overall health.  To honor the true meaning of "Rest Day", it is also important that you make it a point to get enough sleep.  Take that extra 30 minutes to an hour you would have spent working out and add it on to your bedtime by reading a book or any other type of winding down relaxing activity.  Your body will thank you and your progress will continue to evolve within your pole journey.  Feel free to comment below and add your suggestions for what you do with your "Rest Day" and winding down to sleep activities. 


Resources: Freel, B. (2013). Vertical Fitness: Fundamentals of Training for Pole Fitness and Dance. Anchorage, Alaska: Poler North.   CDC (2013). Insufficient Sleep is a Public Health Epidemic. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsSleep/