175: The Still Workout with Monica Norcross, CPT
I was recently introduced to The Still Workout which is like an active Scripture meditation. It’s very calm and slow and focuses on things like strength, stretching, fascia release, breathing and postural alignment all while the leader speaks scripture over you and into you. It’s lovely. The creator, Monica Norcross, calls it Bible Study for the Body. In this week’s podcast episode we’re talking about how to Be Still with God AND exercise your holy temple at the same. Listen in to see if this is something that might be a good fit for you!
EPISODE 175: The Still Workout with Monica Norcross, CPT
Show Notes
(0:00) Intro
Hello my friend! Welcome back to the club, how are you today?
I recently came across a workout called The Still Workout which is like an active Scripture meditation. It’s very calm and slow and focuses on things like strength, stretching, fascia release, breathing and postural alignment all while the leader and creator of The Still Workout, Monica Norcross, speaks scripture over you and into you. It’s lovely. She calls it Bible Study for the Body and it’s a way to be still with God as we are called to do AND care for our bodies as holy temples. She is here to tell us more about it and about adjusting her workout why to be more about God and less about abs.
Welcome Monica to The Christian Health Club Podcast
(1:51) You’ve been in the fitness industry for over 11 years - give us some background and how you went from teaching cardio to creating The Still Workout.
Monica tell her backstory and how she got burned out on cardio
Weaving in the spiritual and the physical
5 components + a spiritual component
Strength Training
Postural alignment
Fascia release
Deep breathing
Stretching
The Still Workout was born
(7:30) I know a lot of Christians who are conflicted about yoga - was that the case for you?
Rooted in Eastern religion
Not to be anti-anything, but instead to be PRO God and the bible.
(10:35) Tell us more about that (getting ripped in your 40’s, - had to get past that pride, helping other people with their why, The Lord asking WHY do you want to be fit, physical example of spiritual truth)
In mid-40’s— got ripped. Didn’t get the love, respect, and admiration that she thought she would.
Paradigm shift … Refraining the “why”
I want to be strong, vital, energetic, and fit
Nudged by Him to dig deeper into the why
I want to live a life fit for loving God
(20:55) Let’s talk more about the actual workout. You do them in person and online and people can easily go to your website, buy a pass for $10 and join you for a class. Tell us what you do in a typical class. Explain how we can be still and workout all at the same time!
Taxing and relaxing
Isometric holds, breathing, pulsing
In a plank, you are working but your body is still
Postural alignment
Physical example of a spiritual truth
Facia release — Connective tissue in our bodies
Deep breathing (neshamah) and vagus nerve stimulation
Cognitive training
Endurance
(30:00) You also had us work on our fascia release - tell us about why that’s important.
Overlooked area of fitness and body care
Tom Myers - Anatomy Trains
Think of it as the cross section of a orange (the white parts)
It moves water, lymph, holds stress and emotions
Connected in one big matrix
Fascia gets constricted and adhered to the bone, and when it does that, it gets kinked up like a hose.
(38:20) Tell people what they might need for your class.
A mat, or place that is padded
A chair, table, counter, or wall for balance
A slim roller (3” around) — For neck and waist (a rolled up towel can work in a pinch)
A tennis ball or similar ball
Water
Resistance bands
(43:31) Anchor Questions:
Anchor meal
Fish and vegetables
Anchor verse
Psalm 46:10
(47:42) Where can people learn more about The Still Workout?
(50:32) Outro & Disclaimer
Thanks for listening! Have a healthy and blessed week!