Re: Aquatic Tai Chi, Salsa and Hula Dancing

[Guest guest]

Gretchen, your posts are the best!! I recall reading that you feel

better at 50 than at 35, which says a heck of alot! I wonder if I

should seek out a physical therapist because all we have at the gym

are personal trainers? Is this what you have done?

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen,

Well, I've been physically active my entire life - not in competitive

sports - but in bike riding, swimming, hiking, horseback riding,

walking on the beach. (the last one I started doing mainly because my

orthopedist said it would strengthen my ankles after I had tendon

surgery, and it seems to have - plus I have come to LOVE this, lol, I

am a 'beach connossieur').

I have always biked and swam, but at 30, Aerobics was the craze, and

I had about 3 years of classes in that. Fun. I also did Yoga for

awhile somewhere in there (it was a bit too 'slow' for me then, lol)

Plus I have always had dogs that need THEIR exercise, so I was taken

on lots of walks, lol.

Aquatics as exercise first came into my life prior to back surgery.

My surgeon was trying everything he could to help a disc problem. I

have always loved being in water. (Grew up in So. Calif. where a pool

is a necessity!) I learned so much from the physical therapists in

special back exercises in the pool, I was amazed.

I did have that back surgery in 2003, then after, I returned to

physical therapy, after that was completed, I took aquatics classes

to learn more. I worked with aquatics therpists and trainers, and

also learned things from my 'pool mates'.

When our new PT and Gym was built, I got a cut-rate deal on a

membership and made a committment to continue pool work, which

continues to this day. One or two days a week I work in with a class,

so I can learn something new. The rest of the time I work on my own.

It has been great for me, plus I do my best thinking in water. Most

days when I work alone, I turn off the overhead fluroscent lights,

and the bottom pool lights come on - very tranquil setting. Quiet,

darkened, water is 92F. Almost 'womb-like'. lol, except I sure am

bouncing around, and working out!

I put a list of aquatic exercises I do in our Files section a while

back. But this may not mean anything until you see it done - and

right now I don't have any pics. If you ever get to California, let

me know, I can show you my whole routine. My gym, Performance

Fitness, is part of Rob Rosenberry's Physical Therapy Center, they

are connected, and I can always ask any staff a question if I need

too. Here is the link to the facility and pics of the pool I use -

no, that is not me in the pics. http://www.rrpt.net/Aquatics.cfm you

can see what else is offered by using the menu on the left.

Believe me, I am so sold on aquatics!

~ Gretchen