Morning Swim

It is an absolute treat to be able to swim outdoors in the morning. Living in the Pacific Northwest our mornings are always too cold, but we've had a streak of dry hot days starting early in the daytime.  At 10 am I walked the few yards to the pool which is practically outside our patio and took a dip.  I was the only one there and the sun was still behind the trees.  I find it to be very meditative and therapeutic.  As I swim, sometimes I think and sometimes I don't.

Swimming is one of the most sensual sports activities in terms of listening to my body. There's so much going on and as a beginner my awareness is broken down into parts.  Maintaining streamline alignment is at the core of swimming and I feel it when I get off balance and out of sync between the strokes and kicks. I've been practicing my freestyle breathing on both sides in order to maintain symmetrical stroke patterns.  My right side is stronger than my left.  I'm also aware that I've been overdoing the right stroke as my right shoulder joint has been burning and aching.  There are so many adjustments and tweaks to be made as I condition my body to swimming.

That's all the technical aspects.  There are also aspects which contribute to overall emotional health.

I find swimming to be very meditative and therapeutic. As I glide along, sometimes I think and sometimes I don't. I know this sounds corny but I cried in the pool this morning.  I cried because I felt so liberated from this ball and chain of fear.  Now I really know the term "becoming one with the water".  To affirm this, sometimes I just let myself float face down in the deep part and look down.  The depth below me was my source of fear and now it's become my refuge.  I realize now that the water has always been the same, it's me that has changed.