I've been reading recently about the power of incorporating meditation into exercise. I thought, hmmmm, interesting, but how does one do that?
So since I have been wondering about this quite a bit lately I decided to do something different today during my workout. I usually have time in the pool when I am alone in the water, it is a huge pool, it is somewhat quiet when there are few people inside, and it is peaceful with the water, I get there early or stay late so I can do this daily.
So today when I was alone in the pool I decided to do repetitive moves in the water, moving my arms and hands back and forth, up and down, rhythmically, I moved my legs by rote back and forth- repetitive, and I quieted my thoughts and looked at the ripples on the surface of the water, and calmed myself right down, I did not stop my movements, I stopped thinking.
And I kept on moving, I was aware of the water, I looked into the water, I felt the water, I was quiet and peaceful and I was quickly in a state of peace in that pool. Then I concentrated on my breathing, I like to Exhale Pain and Inhale Love when I am aware of breathing, and I did that too.
And when a thought came in I just invited it to leave and come back later and they did and I felt the water on my fingertips, between my knees, around my body and I felt so so relaxed.
I had noticed the time, cause time is something I am always aware of, and I thought if I can get 5 minutes of this peaceful, mindful water exercise I will be happy, oh thats right, I am happy. Hmmmmmmm........
The water encircled me with a feeling like home, sometimes I think I am part fish, I feel so at home in the water, I always stay in the pool for about 2 hours, including my hot tub time too. I think I would stay longer if I could but I think I am getting quite alot of time in the pool as it tis for now.
Managing to get a full 10 minutes of this zen like water time was marvelous, I was only interrupted when one of the regulars got in the pool and asked me something, I was still in a half awake fugue state and I just nodded and kept at it a moment longer, I did not want to give this up, but I did, I figure I can do it again. So I said a little prayer, 'God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference'.
So I had some lovely peaceful meditating while aquacizing today.
I'll do it again, then our class started when the very energetic young teacher arrived and she kept up in cardio for about 45 minutes, then we did strength training in the water too.
I had an especially lovely workout, I don't know if it was any more powerful than previous sessions, but it was special.
My Pool