See You at the Pool

For the past several years I have been part of a water exercise group at the Spears YMCA. Most of the class members have MS (multiple sclerosis) which affects their muscles and movements to varying degrees. I am fortunate that they let me stay in the class though I no longer am there because I provided transportation for one of the class members who can no longer drive. I even substitute as leader when the wonderful teacher, Wyn Hrdlicka, is absent.

Water exercise is great! No one care what you body looks like--it's all under water anyway. It's kind of a nuisance getting dressed afterwards (I wear my suit under my clothes coming from home) but the good feelings after wiggling around in the water for 45 minutes are well worth it.

You can exercise at many levels of intensity. Just as with walking, if you can talk while doing it you probably aren't getting an aerobic workout, but even low intensity water work is beneficial. For people with MS and other neuromuscular problems, just being able to move without the negative effects of gravity is good. Can't move one or both of your legs easily? As Wyn says, "Any right leg will do." We use buoys and plastic foam noodles to be able to stay balanced and/or suspended in the water. Every muscle group gets a workout but never to the extent that it is unpleasant.

The back pain I used to be afflicted with is gone and I feel a good tiredness after each session.

See you at the pool?