The Moments between Moments 🥊🪞

Hey fighters!

There is a question that, if you train with me, I know you have heard. You come back from a trip, some time away, or maybe just a missed session, and I ask: "Did you shadowbox?"

I get a variety of answers, but most of them are a sheepish "No, I didn't." (And for those of you who do shadowbox—I know who you are, and I love it!)

First of all, let me apologize. I never intend to make anyone feel bad, judged, or pressured. I ask because I love shadowboxing. I know the benefits of it, and it is the ultimate way to practice on your own. For a long time, I assumed that my asking would serve as encouragement. But after so many years of coaching, I'm realizing that maybe it doesn't. We are all traveling, busy, distracted, overwhelmed, and tired. No one intends not to practice; life just happens.

But let me tell you why I really ask.

At the original gym where I trained, a friend told me that every time he passed a mirror—whether in his house or in public—he would throw a few punches and shadowbox for a minute. I realized I did the same. I used to shadowbox while waiting for a table at a restaurant, waiting for water to boil, or even at a bar waiting for the bathroom, throwing punches to the beat of the music.

It was like a dance or a song that would randomly spill out of me when the mood struck. Boxing became a part of me, appearing in the "moments between moments."

That is why I ask. I'm not checking a box on a training log; I want to know if boxing has been infused into your being. I want to know if it shows up throughout your day naturally. Just like there is joy in belting out your favorite song in the car or busting a few ridiculous dance moves in the kitchen, there is joy in throwing a punch, turning your hands over, and feeling that power course through your body.

My inquiry about shadowboxing isn't about strict accountability; it is a hope that the movement has transcended the gym and become a natural, joyful form of self-expression in your daily life. If you are ready to invite that movement into your day but aren't quite sure what to throw when the mood strikes, I have been working on a new tool to help you find your flow.

In addition to my combination catalog, I have started a new project: creating a shadowboxing practice video to accompany each combination. The goal is to give you a visual guide to help with individual practice so you can feel confident moving on your own. It is a slow project, but I encourage you to check it out and offer feedback.

[Click Here] This link brings you to the workout section of my website, where you can find some beginner shadowboxing videos and a bag workout to get you started.

Before you go…

What is an activity or passion in your life that brings you so much joy it naturally spills over into the "moments between moments" of your day?

Drop a comment or shoot me an email! Trainingwithaisling@gmail.com