Mini Challenge: Rebuilding the Rainbow Bridge!

[vengefulpear]

Mini Challenge - Rebuilding the Rainbow Bridge!

Bridge Skill 

 

 

 

 

 

Stars glittered like jewels above them, silhouetting the two figures across a galaxy laden sky. One of the figures was an old man; strudy, bearded and with only one eye. The other was younger, his muscles were broad and thick. Both had the wisdom of ages in their eyes and expressions.

 

“We can’t fix this.” The old one spoke, “We need to get some help.”

They were looking at a bridge, standing on the broken edge as it fell into space. Wherever the bridge had led, now it led nowhere. The one eyed old man shifted and turned back to the glorious city.

 

“But we need to fix the bridge, or Asgard will be cut off from the rest of the Nine Realms. And that is unacceptable.”

 

The old man, Odin, gave a deep sigh. As much as he hated to admit it, the science and magic to build the Bifrost had been almost lost. The knowledge was now only known by a select few, and without the Bifrost they had no way to reach them.

 

“Aye. There’s only one group fit for this job.”

Odin raised the eyebrow above his remaining eye at Thor, “The Assassins?”

 

Thor nodded. He could sense Odin’s trepidation, but he had faith that the Assassin’s Guild could pull off the job. It was difficult to achieve, but that was just what the Assassin’s did. So Odin turned back to Asgard and walked back along the rainbow road.

 

Thor remained looking at the broken edges of the Bifrost, worry knotting his brow. It was time for the Asgardians to ask the Assassins for a favour.

 

Translation:

We need to help the Asgardians rebuild the Bifrost so they can make sure the balance of the universe is preserved! So to rebuild the bridge, we have to work on our bridge skills! Every week the mini-challenge will be centered on a different aspect to help you achieve the bridge!

Suggested Action:

 

This week we’re working on passive flexibility. So here are the stretches and exercises that you can work on to help you become more flexible and make a bridge of yourself!

 

Level 1:

 

Cobra - http://www.satyaliveyoga.com.au/2012/11/07/striking-cobra-pose

For variations vary the distance between hips and hands to target the different areas of the back.

 

Pigeon - http://massagetherapy-brighton.co.uk/tight-hip-flexors-try-the-pigeon-pose/

 

Seal Stretch - http://lovemyyoga.com/upward-facing-dog-pose.html

 

Camel - http://www.yogamagazine.com/anatomy-of-camel-pose/

 

Cat against wall (shoulder stretch) and floor (upper back stretch) - http://www.alkavadlo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC06658.jpg

http://sallyparkesyoga.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/extended-childs-pose.jpg?

 

Deep Lunge -

 

Shoulder Dislocates - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33P5AI27eiU

 

Looking for something more challenging? Try ...

 

Level 2:

 

Cobra - This time try Cobra with you feet against a wall or hips elevated on a foam roller or similar.

 

King Pigeon - http://yogini786.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/king-pigeon-pose-eka-pada-rajakapotasna1.jpg

 

Full Camel - https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n7g5ahwMqvM/TYDQMrEMyKI/AAAAAAAACBg/slDjUtK2Xjk/s1600/Alive+in+the+Fire_Full+Camel+via+Bikram+Yoga+Portsmouth.jpg

 

Bow Pose -  http://www.bikramyogarivernorth.com/poses/bow-pose/

 

Other rules:

- Mini-challenges are not mandatory, feel free to ignore this one if you don't want to participate. Don't let mini-challenge hinder your own goals.

- If you're already doing yoga/stretching in your challenge then it can count for both!

- If you're not sure how to register something, post it here.

- Keep it simple!

- Don't hurt yourself!

 

There’s a spreadsheet of awesome to record your exploits:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14e6_0UpPrbA6c5sW6pcP4ZWb9wMWL3sFywLXO9N_BM4/edit?usp=sharing

 

As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask them either in the comments, or a lovely PM!

 

 

And for partaking in this mini-challenge we'll give you an extra +2 DEX too! 

 

Good luck Assassins!

[Basement Cat]

This is interesting. Is it okay to hold the poses instead of doing reps? Like, 2 minutes per pose? Well, except for that shoulder dislocate thing...

[vengefulpear]

This is interesting. Is it okay to hold the poses instead of doing reps? Like, 2 minutes per pose? Well, except for that shoulder dislocate thing...

 

Absolutely! Whichever best suits the exercise, or how you're feeling about it. And that way you can hold it for as long as you feel you can and it all counts and will be helpful  

[Basement Cat]

Absolutely! Whichever best suits the exercise, or how you're feeling about it. And that way you can hold it for as long as you feel you can and it all counts and will be helpful

Great! I find that I prefer to hold with a timer because otherwise I'm not consistent. That might be a good routine to do before bed. Get nice and relaxed. So, do I fill out the form every time I do this, or can I just post that in my challenge thread?

[vengefulpear]

That makes sense, I always used to have trouble with my planks being random times and giving up before I used a timer!

It would be better for us if you just made some note on the googledoc that you've taken part in the mini-challenge (so that we can tell how many people are taking part so we can make them even better!) but of course there's nothing stopping you in putting it on your challenge thread too  

[Lilith]

If I do these poses as part of my yoga practice I was already going to do, does that still count?

[vengefulpear]

If I do these poses as part of my yoga practice I was already going to do, does that still count?

 

Of course! We don't want to stop being doing their own challenges, or end up doing double if they want to do the mini-challenges. So two birds with one stone as it were

 

(I have also added in that to the points at the end now!) 

[Lilith]

Yay that's great news!

[Everstorm]

Nice job of the backstory.  I am looking forward to incorporating these stretches into my yoga routine.

[Batwoman]

YAY THOR AND RAINBOWS AND ... BRIDGES TO A LESSER EXTENT!

 

 

Might try to actually join in on a mini-challenge this time. Great job VP!

[Mdowning]

Always great writing Pear. A few of these stretches, as well as bridges, are already a part of my challenge so huzzah for two birds, one stone!

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[Omega v1.1]

I was planning on adding some flexibility training for this challenge so this will relieve me of the burden of having to work out what stretches to do!

[iatetheyeti]

Yep. Definitely in on this one. Will pick a pose and make my mark on the spreadsheet ASAP.

[Nuala]

Well, colour me shocked, it's been a while but I'll be participating to the mini-challenges this time! And make sure to harass Mad hatter with pictures and video because my back is so broken that I need to make sure I will have a proper form.

[Mad Hatter]

Yep, I'm all yours! If anyone missed it this thread I'll be here all challenge to answer your questions so don't be shy.

[Harika]

Pigeon as level one? I am not so sure, I struggle with that and I tend to get the dirty looks (for flexibility, for strength I just fall over a lot.) BUT it is a great stretch and your front leg will move itself to adjust the level.

[Everstorm]

Pigeon as level one? I am not so sure, I struggle with that and I tend to get the dirty looks (for flexibility, for strength I just fall over a lot.) BUT it is a great stretch and your front leg will move itself to adjust the level.

Um, yeah.  I had to break out the yoga blocks for this one.  Pigeon is a tough pose.

[Mdowning]

It seems like I can't edit the spreadsheet.

Did deep lunge 2 min. Each leg

And cat against wall 1 min

EDIT: just finished a 45 sec bridge

[idealistinfire]

Huzzah, stretching and flexibility mini-challenge!  I just added nightly stretching to my evening rituals, so I'll be joining this one as well!

[arild]

Love the Viking background story and the very challenging stretches

[Mdowning]

Here's my form check for my bridge. How'd i do?

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[noxiousGnome]

I will be working on it the stretches =D

[vengefulpear]

It seems like I can't edit the spreadsheet.

Did deep lunge 2 min. Each leg

And cat against wall 1 min

EDIT: just finished a 45 sec bridge

 

Hmm that's weird... let me know if it persists and I'll see if there's anything I can, but posting in the comments is also good  

[Mad Hatter]

Pigeon as level one? I am not so sure, I struggle with that and I tend to get the dirty looks (for flexibility, for strength I just fall over a lot.) BUT it is a great stretch and your front leg will move itself to adjust the level.

 

 

Um, yeah.  I had to break out the yoga blocks for this one.  Pigeon is a tough pose.

 

Yep pigeon is a very challenging pose! If you find pigeon the hardest I'd make sure to warm up your hip flexors and lower back first. (Also the external hip rotators but that's not the focus of the challenge) Yoga blocks or books are great tools, you can place them on either side of your hips and prop yourself up. You can also put a blanket or pillow under your hip. 

 

Just because it's level 1 doesn't mean it's supposed to be easy.

[Devyn]

Oh man, I really needed this.