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Progressive Calisthenics - The Official Blog for the PCC Community

China PCC

Progressive Calisthenics Returns To Beijing

August 29, 2017 By Danny Kavadlo 2 Comments

China PCC 2017 Partner Human Flag

Last week, the Progressive Calisthenics Certification made its return to Beijing, China for the third time in just 18 months. Once again, I had the esteemed pleasure and honor of traveling to the Far East to lead a group of forty calisthenics enthusiasts through the school of Street Workout.

And what a thrill it was!

Based on the teachings of Paul “Coach” Wade’s best-selling Convict Conditioning series, the PCC is a three day, experiential course that not only teaches all the bodyweight basics like push-ups, pull-ups and squats, but also the more elite moves like muscle-ups, human flags, bar levers and more!

The course also details a magnitude of progressions, regressions, teaching methodologies, principles and programming, which can be employed for a lifetime of personal practice and shared instruction. We don’t just show you the moves—we give you the tools!

China PCC 2017 push-ups

The incredible group in attendance included calisthenics die-hards hailing from China, Taiwan, Korea, South Africa, Italy and even the good old USA! One of my favorite aspects about calisthenics is that it unites and celebrates people from different cities, countries and continents. There’s nothing quite like traveling half-way around the world and meeting new people who feel like old friends.

Beyond geographic boundaries and cultural divides, the bodyweight brother- and sisterhood prevails. It’s very much a family affair.

China PCC 2017 Straight Bridges

This team of Beijing bad-asses was a particularly strong group. On the very first day, history was made when four of the attendees performed a one-arm pull-up! It’s been said that only one in 10,000 people can pull off this incredible feat of strength. Indeed, Beijing was host to a fantastic crew of calisthenic killers!

China PCC 2017 One-Arm-Pullup
One arm pull-up at PCC.

In fact, I’m always blown away by what I see at the Progressive Calisthenics Certification. It’s a place where new life experiences are made, shared and celebrated. The personal records set (and the personal bonds born) live on, even after the workshop has commenced.

China PCC 2017 squats

When all is said and done, it went by too fast. The three days we spent in Beijing were magnificent and I’ll never forget them. I look forward to PCC’s return to the Forbidden City. Until then, I’d like to thank our partners at Beijing Science and Technology Publishing for organizing this event, the University of Physical Education for the use of their phenomenal facility, and of course—and most of all—everyone who made the voyage to train with me, dare with me and become a certified PCC Instructor! Congratulations to you all!

Keep the dream alive. The posse’s getting bigger!
-DK

China PCC 2017 Group Photo

****

Danny Kavadlo is one of the world’s leading authorities on calisthenics, nutrition and personal training. He is the author of several best-selling Dragon Door titles including GET STRONG and STRENGTH RULES. Danny has been featured in the New York Times, Men’s Fitness, and the Huffington Post. He is a regular contributor to Bodybuilding .com and TRAIN magazine. When not working one-on-one with clients in his native New York City, Danny travels the world as a Master Instructor in Dragon Door’s internationally acclaimed Progressive Calisthenics Certification. Find out more about Danny at www.DannyTheTrainer.com

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics, Workshop Experiences Tagged With: Beijing, Beijing PCC, China PCC, Danny Kavadlo, PCC Workshop, Progressive Calisthenics Certification Workshop, workshop experience

Progressive Calisthenics In The Forbidden City

November 29, 2016 By Danny Kavadlo 13 Comments

China PCC 2016

Never in my life did I imagine that my calisthenics journey would take me all the way to Beijing. I knew that working out would get me in shape: lean, fit, solid and strong. It was also very obvious to me how much fun I was having in my training. And, yes, I was certainly aware of what a remarkable community I had stumbled upon (although I must confess: I didn’t realize quite how many amazing people I’d meet along the way).

Without a doubt, there were many virtues that I predicted, even expected.

But this? Flying halfway around the world to a foreign land and meeting a roomful of strangers who felt like my brothers? Well, damn. This was some other worldly stuff indeed!

We’re big in China! Other-worldly indeed!
We’re big in China! Other-worldly indeed!

But upon reflection, it makes sense that the Progressive Calisthenics Certification has traveled all the way to China (twice!) in 2016. After all, the Chinese have an ancient tradition of bodyweight practice.

From Kung Fu to moving meditation, it’s plain to see that minimalism, honesty and purity are rooted deep within Chinese physical culture. When I think about it, the massive success of the Chinese translations of so many Dragon Door titles (like Convict Conditioning, Diamond-Cut Abs and Pushing The Limits) really isn’t surprising at all. No matter what side of the world we’re on, us freaks and geeks of fitness have much more in common than apart.

Pushing the limits in China!
Pushing the limits in China!

Interestingly enough, John Du Cane (arguably the greatest pioneer in modern fitness) founded Dragon Door in 1991 as medium to introduce the Eastern practices of Tai Chi and Qigong to the Western world. Twenty-five years later, we are now introducing the Western practice of Street Workout to the East. It comes full circle.

When PCC Instructor Annie Vo and I stepped off the plane in Peking International Airport, we got even more than expected. Any possible cultural or language barriers were non-existent that weekend, as we all spoke the same language of movement and harmony.

chinapcccossacksquats4

It was a tremendous honor that this certification was held at the Fitness University of Beijing. Further, our hosts Beijing Technology Publishing did a stellar job at assembling an all-star group of practitioners, trainers, coaches and bodyweight warriors. They even brought in television and film crews to document this monumental occasion. We are grateful for having been a part of it.

As is always the case at PCC, there were numerous PR’s, feats of strength and groundbreaking physical achievements. We muscled-up over bars, defied the laws of gravity and let our freak flags fly. The calisthenics fanatics of Beijing proved to be an unstoppable force to be reckoned with during this amazing experience.

Let your freak flag fly at PCC!
Let your freak flag fly at PCC!

 

When all is said and done, the weekend flew by. The hours and days we shared teaching, training and learning together proved to be the experience of a lifetime. I’d personally like to congratulate this fantastic group of newly certified PCCs. We came a long way for this event. Thanks to each and every one of you for making it so incredible.

Keep the dream alive,

-DK

China PCC 2016

****

Danny Kavadlo is one of the world’s foremost authorities on calisthenics, nutrition and personal training. He is the author of the Dragon Door titles Strength Rules, Diamond-Cut Abs and Everybody Needs Training. Most recently, he co-authored Street Workout with his brother, Al Kavadlo. Danny is known for his minimalist philosophy, simple approach and motivational talents.

A true in-person experience, Danny is a Master Instructor for Dragon Door’s Progressive Calisthenics Certification. He has been featured in the NY Times, TRAIN, Men’s Fitness and is a regular contributor to Bodybuilding.com. Learn more about Danny at www.DannyTheTrainer.com

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics, Workshop Experiences Tagged With: 2016 China PCC, Annie Vo, China PCC, Danny Kavadlo, PCC, Progressive Calisthenics Certification Workshop, workshop experience

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