Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Meditation and Swimming

As a child, I didn't like having my face in the water and it took me two tries to pass the first level of swimming lessons. And that's where my swimming ended. But I always loved the water, loved being in the pool or lake.

At 18, I took Learn to Swim lessons and fell in love. I love swimming. I love doing laps. I can back crawl forever, and I love the challenge of front crawl.

Since the beginning of the year my skill level in the pool has increased and I finally realized why. Meditation has improved my swimming.

Meditation taught me to sit with the discomfort. It taught me that I don't always need to retreat. That sometimes, when I wait and sit, things get better or I discover something new.

In the past, if I swallowed some water or was struggling, I would stop swimming and dog paddle the rest of the length. Now I just keep going. Yes, sometimes it feels a little like I'm drowning; but I'm not. I make it to the end every time. I feel stronger and I enjoy my swimming a lot more.

I am eternally grateful for all of the little ways that Yoga (big-Y Yoga, including meditation) has touched my life.

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