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I show up for my first Pool Comfort Class full of fear. The teacher is super sweet, patient, kind, and compassionate yet firm. She insists I put my head in the water and blow bubbles over and over and over again always checking on my comfort level. I feel very grateful for my goggles and swim cap. It surprises me that it is really possible to see under water with googles. My imagination takes over. I am Jacques Cousteau fearless underwater explorer. Ha! I can't even float or swim. Half way through the class, I feel like crying but am not sure why. As a teacher, how can I not follow her suggestions? It is important to present myself as a good student, but to whom? She decides it is time to try to float. That seems utterly impossible to me, but I follow the steps she presents. Head in, blow bubbles, lift one leg then the other. I place my palms on her palms. My trust in her trust. Over and over and over again. Finally, by the end of the lesson, I am really floating with her hands parallel to mine. Matt her brother and fellow swim instructor takes the video of the last post. Lesson #1 is over.
MY FIRST PROGRESS REPORT
Well done yesterday, Giselle. You should be very proud of your progress. I'll be sending you your video via We Transfer. So keep an eye out for an e-mail from them.
A few notes for practicing in between sessions. While developing comfort in the pool we want to progress slowly, securely and smoothly. If you feel confidently that you can practice on your own without causing too much anxiety I have written a few exercises below. If however, you feel that it may amount to too much stress, you can always wait until we have our session together to try out your new skills. What I don't want to have happen is you have an independent experience that causes distress or discomfort and detract from the work you've accomplished thus far. Be proud. You've accomplished great things in just one session.
When you are next in the pool, take a calm 5-10 minutes to yourself.
- Breath smoothly in through the mouth and out through the nose 6-8 times. Fully inhaling to the diaphragm and exhaling completely out.
- With two hand firmly on the wall, start to blow bubbles, facing down. Continue until you run out of bubbles.
- With two hand firmly on the wall, start to blow bubbles, facing down, lift one leg up behind you. Hold this position until you either run out of bubbles are feel uncomfortable. Repeat, switching legs. Repeat this exercise until you feel completely comfortable with each leg separately.
- Still holding onto the wall with two hands, start blowing bubbles, facing down, lift both legs off the bottom to rest in a supine position. Hold this position until you either run out of bubbles are feel uncomfortable. Repeat until you feel completely comfortable with the exercise.
- Once you experience calm and relaxation repeatedly, take a moment to observe how your body feels while its floating. What does the water feel like as it surrounds and supports you. Just make simple observations and relax in the knowledge that both your body and the water are supporting you.
When we come together again next week, we will review what we covered making sure you still feel the same level of comfort we left off with at the end of our first session. Then we will continue to explore how our body relates and balances in the water with other positions and exercises.
Great work, Giselle. Can't wait until next week!
