The Zen of swimming

Before my 75^th birthday, I trudged to the YMCA in Penfield and took swimming lessons with my dear friend Karen.  If it were not for Karen, I wonder if I would have kept trudging.   Water and I have never been friends.  I have a long list of positive qualities about the water and only one negative, but the negative is much stronger – I could die. 

 

Last year in Thailand, I heard Fred from France who works at the massage place teaches the Zen of Swimming.  I was going to meet with him, but at the last minute, my flight took precedence over my fight.  Yesterday, I had a facial at his location and after learning I was totally dehydrated, I opted to try again. 

When I was at the YM, I did manage to go back and forth and do some lengths and the teacher was very kind to our group class (Karen and me), but my confidence level left me about a week after the last class.

My motivation for learning to swim was a) it is an unmet challenge and b) if the boat goes down in the Bangkok River, I don’t want to be found floating face down.   At the end of the Y class, I have some belief that I could make it to shore if necessary but it would not be pretty and would require more mental stroking than physical effort.

Presented to me – a three day a week class in the Zen of Swimming.  My inner voice say.. sign me up and then the rest of my team said are you nuts…. Who won?

I arrived at the Sports Complex near the McCormick Hospital at before the 5 pm class yesterday with my suit and towel.   It is a gigantic pool with rough cement sidewalk and only one ladder that accommodates my body size, short.

Before the class, I met a lovely 68yr old badminton player who was in a tournament.   Watching him in a doubles competition was fun.  While he was not all over the court, he was precise and tactical and inspired me to play again since I played some in high school. 

When the class started, the teacher Fred insisted on goggles.  I tried on several and finally came to accept one.   My classmate Dennis (who is really from Brooklyn or NJ.. but now lives in Spain) was able to demonstrate what he learned and thus I started my first Zen Swimming lesson.

You must enter the water in a playful manner and do everything slowly.   Squat down and jump up.   Hold your breath for the count of four.  Make yourself into a basketball and hold your breath.  Breath out through your nose..  put your hands out in front of the basketball and when you have expended enough air… put your feet on the bottom of the pool and stand up.   After an hour, I was quite comfortable and enjoyed being a basketball.

The most difficult part of the day was figuring which Thai sign said women’s locker – ok a room of curtains with a shelf… and it is all good.