Social Workout

Trampoline Effect

Adventures in Shen Tao

← Go to main page for Shen Tao - Bill Hedber

Shen Tao! (Via Shen Tao Studio.)

How to describe Shen Tao? Imagine a three hour ballet class, conducted on a trampoline, and featuring pullies and 20 lb weights strapped to your ankles. Or don't imagine that, and just know that I've had long term relationships that asked less of me than this class. And maybe given me less too...

Shen Tao combines ballet, urban rebounding, and Pilates. It's extra physical, and yet also has a yogic touchy-feely, finding-a-connection-with-your-emotional-center element.

"Three-hours is intense," I remarked the first time I walked into Shen Tao Studios. Bill Hedber, Shen Tao's creator, looked at me with pity. Over time, I learned that Bill sees S.T. less as a fitness class and more as mind-body "practice" akin to yoga. He's so dedicated, that he has started giving away the classes for free: Starting this week classes are by donation only....

What do you actually do? The class starts with a pretty significant warm up. I've never stretched on a trampoline, but I dig it. The malleability of the trampoline accommodates your individual range of motion, and I've rarely managed to find such openness. The love affair with tramp was shortlived, however. After the stretch, came the hard-to-explain jumping part, with weights and pullies. Imagine doing the "hundreds," a la Pilates, only the pullies are around your ankles, and you're bouncing on the trampoline.
Then comes a ladder-like contraption, more pullies, and a brutal upper body workout. At one point, I found myself hanging upside down on the ladder, somehow stretching over the bars.

The class ends with floor work and a "check in." Bill asked everyone for feedback, and gave some in return. I like fast, hard, cardio classes, and generally resist anything with hint of physical-spiritual union, but I found I loved the class. Three hours had gone by fast, and Bill had worked every inch of my body. When I left, I actually did feel more centered and connected.

OK, clearly, this may not be for everyone. But if you're a class experimenter, this is a must try. If you're time constrained, the studio now also offers one and two hour shortened versions of this class. There is a limit to participants per class, though, so you should call in advance to reserve a spot.

← Go to main page for Shen Tao - Bill Hedber