Swings come first.  This is a basic, like vodka to Russians and biltong to South Africans, the swing is to kettlebell lifters.  Nobody is too good for the humble swing.  It teaches and enforces the fold at the hips and the snap.  Without which a healthy clean, snatch and squat would not be possible.  So in deference to this great exercise we spent an hour working through it.  At the end everyone got the message!

Andre under a watchful eye

Alan getting instruction

Mashaya demonstrating correct form and intensity

Next was another basic, the Turkish Get-up.  Love it or hate it, this is one exercise you cannot do without.  It will strengthen your shoulders, back, and legs.  Help connect your upper and lower body together.  And teach you how to control a heavy weight overhead.  The style taught is the one-arm TGU with a lunge.  This I find is the simplest to teach and learn.  Once you can master the overhead squat then a TGU with an overhead squat is good for variety.

Marlise showing how a Snatch is done

Andre demonstrating how to disengage the
hip flexors and engage the abdominals

Cleans, squats, and snatches followed.  At the end there was many a sore hand in the crowd but not a single complaint.  This was a great group to teach.  Thank you for the opportunity to share my knowledge in a sport/pasttime which I love!


What participants had to say

"Hi Shaun and Marlise.  Just a quick note to thank you for a great workshop and for your patience with a total novice. Your eloquence, passion and skill was inspiring. I've seldom enjoyed three hours of pain more! Three days later and I'm still a bit stiff, but really motivated. I look forward to your next trip, by which time I'll hopefully be a more worthy girevik. Kind regards Alan Cooper"