Reversehook.com

Hey guys,
We are getting pretty close to the "red zone" here. As many of you know, my wife and I are expecting our first child. A baby girl! She's due around March 24. I'll keep you guys posted here and on Facebook.

I am asking for your patience and understanding. The red zone is the few weeks before and after the actual due date, I will be frequently checking my phone for the text from my wife that she's in labor. So a class may have an emergency sub with little notice if this happens. I will also ask that you please respect the subs that will be covering for me. They are good people who are dedicated to giving a good workout! I promise, I will do what I can to return soon. You are all "advanced" steppers and you know how to make the workout a challenge to meet your personal needs.

I am planning to take a couple weeks off after the birth and as of right now, I can't really say if that will be enough time for us, I will play it by ear. I will make the commitment to post on my calendar when I will return, so that will be up to date.

I will apologize in advance if I'm a little scattered or distracted with all that I have going on. I hope you understand.

Thank you for all the prayers, wishes and good sentiments! We really appreciate them all.

-Ralph

Here are some basic concepts to understand that will make the class a million times better:

1) Listen, Listen, Listen - all of the clues you need to understand the moves are delivered in the cadence and words chosen. The majority of the cues come 2 counts before the move is to be executed. Once you get into that rhythm, you will find 2 counts notice is plenty of time- an eternity even

2) Do not memorize the long patterns- I change them all of the time, rather learn and know the 4, 6,8 count moves and be ready to execute them anytime

3) CONFIDENCE! - You know the moves, we have done them countless times, for many years. Dont be afraid to execute the move, even if you are wrong, it does not make a difference because you will most likely get back on with the class in 4-8 counts. Most people seem to have trouble with this as they hesitate to watch me (to make sure they are right). If you hesitate to watch, you will be late and will have a very difficult time getting back on with the class. I notice people mess up really simple stuff (like L-step, or turn step straddle) because they hesitate. There are no tricks, an L-step is an L-step- confidence people!!!

4) Do not overthink!! I have spent many years working on my skill and putting the patterns together- have the faith and trust in me to deliver the cues you need. If you try to memorize, second-guess, or figure out what foot comes next- many times you will get off from the class. Do what feels comfortable, the combos are built like a puzzle that naturally flows. Many time I wont need to cue the direction because it is intuitive- don't let this throw you, just go with the flow and don't think about right or left.

5) Have fun with it. relax. listen.

6) Dont be distracted by the advanced steppers (use your ears). When you ave conquered steps 1-5 above, you are ready to become truly advanced. You can confidently substitute more difficult moves for the simpler basic ones I deliver in my cueing. It is not uncommon for more than 50% of my class participants to substitute way more advanced moves than I'm cueing- this comes with experience, confidence and observation. Be patient if this is your goal- it will come with time. If it is not your goal, learn to trust your ears and do what is right for you. Much like the advanced people who make the moves more intense, you can lower the intensity by substituting simpler moves. People do this because of recovering injuries, age or ability - they are just as "advanced" and people who crank up the intensity. Advanced-ness is a state of mind. Relax. I hope this helps.
-R

In the Summer of 2007, several of my participants encouraged me to post some videos of the advanced class on YouTube.

L-Step Reversehook to the front, Reversehook, Pause Repeater, Knee, Grapevine into a Mambo Chasse

Stutter Turn, Turn and Grapevine, Turn Step with a Knee, Box step Off, Mambo Chasse, Triangle, Knee Up Straddle, Pop Turn Straddle

Pivot Leap, Mambo, Shuffle-Shuffle, Knee Straddle, Knee Exit, Mambo Chasse, Triangle Repeater 3

The repeated sequence is basically the same as above, but I sometimes rearrange the order of the moves on the fly to give the class some variety, here is a good example of that.

• 24Hour Fitness- San Jose Super-Sport
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  San Jose, CA 95112
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• 24Hour Fitness Mountain View Super Sport
  2535 California Street
  Mountain View CA 94040
  650-935-9064

• 24Hour Fitness Mountain View Sport
  550 Showers Drive
  Mountain View CA 94040
  650-941-2268

• Gold's Gym Redwood City
  515 Veterans Blvd
  Redwood City, CA
  (650) 365-3800