Cabal Fang Training Involution #88: Doubling Down

Pick a lackluster training session and double it. Flip through your training journal if you have to and find one that disappointed you. Let's say you tried Self Destruct Sequence and you couldn't quite finish. Go do it twice. Maybe you tried to run your first 5K and you had to walk half of it. Well, go finish a 10K.
The goal of this exercise is to remind yourself that you are capable of at least twice as much as you think. This is about mettlecraft, endurance and form -- not speed, power, accuracy or mobility -- so take as many short breaks (a slow 12-count or 7 fast breaths) as you need. Just finish.
Get your head right. Re-read Chapter 30: Mettlecraft in the Cabal Fang Study Guide before you begin.
Start with the premise that this is going to be fun. Don't push yourself, just turn on your adventure circuits and start exploring your limits. Don't try to cram ten pounds of shit into a 5 pound sack. Create a vacuum and flow into it like water.
When the fun starts to fade, find your joy. Recite the Emerald Tablet, your favorite piece of scripture or poem, sing a song, give thanks to a higher power for your health, your strength, for the scenery, etc. etc. When your head starts to crack only spirit can stitch it up.
When you start to get gassed modify your exercises. When Push-ups start killing, begin doing them on knees. If it's a run and your knees start complaining, slow to a jog or take short walking breaks. Don't quit -- adapt!
Maintain focus on form and breath. Most injuries occur when form falters, either out of lack of focus (mental failure) or out of exhaustion (physical failure). Breathe as deeply and fully as you can, through your nose if possible, and try to perceive the oxygen flowing into your bloodstream with full awareness. The more tired you get, the more you need to focus on form and breathing.
Listen to your body as you search for your limits. By all means quit if you're injured. But, that said, you'll never live up to your full potential if you can't tell the difference between discomfort, pain and injury pain -- between mental failure and a physical failure. This involution is an adventure. Go find the line.

INVOLUTION¹
\In`vo*lu”tion\, n. [L. involutio: cf. F. involution.
See {Involve}.] 1. The act of involving or infolding. 2. The state of being entangled or involved; complication; entanglement.

AS OF THIS COMING SATURDAY THE “WORKOUT OF THE WEEK” WILL NOW BE REFERRED TO AS THE “TRAINING INVOLUTION” OF THE WEEK.

Why? Because we are martial artists. We are not “working out” — we are training. “Working out” means going down to the local fitness center to get your sweat on, maybe get on a treadmill or a bike, perhaps lift some weights. There’s nothing wrong with that of course. Workouts are good for you inside and out.

But this is Cabal Fang. We are not here to work out, we are here to train. To prepare. To defend. To build our mind-body-spirit triangles into indomitable pyramids. Above all, to be involved. The term “training involution” implies that you are involved.

But there’s also a metaphysical meaning of the word “involution” which is the opposite of evolution. Evolution is the growth phase. Involution is the looking inward phase. A caterpillar must enter its cocoon (involve) before it can exit as a butterfly (evolve).

You can work out while listening to your iPod — but you cannot train.

WHO ARE TRAINING INVOLUTIONS FOR?

They are designed for martial artists looking for an extra-challenging weekly exercise session — especially for those practicing Cabal Fang who are looking to supplement their twice-weekly meetings and constitutionals. But anyone can use them, even if only for inspiration. See your doctor before beginning a new fitness regimen and listen to your body. I will not accept responsibility if you try to blame me for injury or death resulting from any exercise routine on this website.

WHAT DO INVOLUTIONS CONSIST OF?

Each week I generally include three things — a fitness component, a martial component and a spiritual component. But that doesn’t mean I always will. Sometimes I will have activities that overlap and/or stretch boundaries and definitions.

WHEN SHOULD I PERFORM INVOLUTIONS?

Whenever you want. But since they can be pretty intense, I suggest inserting them in your exercise scheme at a point that allows you adequate recovery time before your next session based on your fitness level.

WHY SHOULD I DO THE INVOLUTIONS?

Because you want to pursue the Great Work, of course. And to do that you have to get involved with yourself and the world around you.

GET READY, BECAUSE THIS SATURDAY’S INVOLUTION IS GOING TO BE A REAL CHALLENGE.

¹ Webster’s 1913 Dictionary