Kettlebell Video

Shannon is fun and real, I would have loved to have been there!

Neither Shannon's article, nor her video demonstrate acceptable knowledge of kettlebell technique for her to be teaching kettlebell for IDEA.
What Shannon demonstrates is not correct swing. While she says that she isn't doing a front raise, what she is doing is a hip snap with a front raise. While she talks about correct form, she does not actually do it.
She's slowing the kettlebell down at the bottom of the swing, which transfers too much stress to the lower back on both the eccentric and concentric part of the movement.
If she "hiked it back" at the bottom of the swing, she'd find more of the load in her glutes and hamstrings, and less of the load in her lower back.
Then, instead of saying that "the biggest mistake people make is using too heavy a kettlebell", she'd find out that actually the biggest mistake that people make with kettlebell training is that they use a light enough kettlebell that they can do the movements incorrectly.
There's really no point in her teaching tapping and tiger trots if the foundational movement was taught incorrectly.
Again, her Get Up is demonstrated and taught with sloppy and incorrect form. The knees are compromised, and again she uses a lighter weight to cover up that her form is incorrect. She doesn't actually own any of the positions in the get up. A properly performed get up is crisp and stable, and each step in the movement could be used as a screen for movement quality and symmetry. It looks from the video as if she actually isn't sure what the positions are.
This is akin to teaching Yoga after once having seen a few positions in a magazine. It's completely irresponsible.
My recommendation is that Shannon move up to a slightly heavier kettlebell, and get an actual certification in teaching kettlebells.
Being a Master Trainer in BOSU and Nautilus does not qualify you to teach kettlebells, nor would being a Master Kettlebell Instructor entitle someone to teach BOSU.
There are many very solid kettlebell certification organizations, including RKC, IKFF, and AOS.
I would urge all IDEA Members not to shy away from the RKC Certification just because it has the highest standards for instructors, actually I would urge IDEA Members to seek out the highest standards of instruction.
I believe it is extremely important that instructors actually become educated in how to teach whatever fitness methods that they are teaching.
Josh Hillis, RKC Level 2, NASM-CPT/PES, Z-Health
RKC Certified Kettlebell Instructor for 6 years and assistant at the RKC Kettlebell Certification Course.

At first, I thought that Josh's comments might be perceived as hurtful to Shannon. Upon reflection, without his comments, the video, on its own, is potentially dangerous to viewers. In Josh's comments, I see something trainers often lose sight of "First, do no harm". Thanks for the reminder, Josh. I would hope that Shannon will view his comments constructively. I trained with Kettlebell Concepts, and his comments reflect a similar perspective on form and technique.

I appreciate the tact used by and comprehensive comments made by Josh, and support what he has said. It is important that any fitness tool, including kettlebells, be used/taught correctly. Kettlebells have potential for great good but also for great injury if used incorrectly. In addition to the fine certifications Josh has listed, Agatsu - Shawn Mozen - also offers a great training program, with both Level I and Level II AKC certifications.

Absolutely no one has the right to teach/show/demonstrate kettlebell technique unless they have earned the right. Seems like Shannon simply jumped on the bandwagon so as not to be left behind and did not learn from a qualified instructor. Loretta, please watch some video or better yet, learn from a pro who knows how to properly perform the movements. Being" fun" and "real" can be really fun until someone gets hurt! Think about it. It's not an attack on someone for the sake of, simply keeping it real!