Aqua what?

Hi,
A least once a day, someone living in our complex, down here in south west Florida, stops me to tell me their success story. They are walking better, they don't have to use their knee brace, they don't ache or creek as badly, they can reach a top shelf that was too high a few weeks ago, their arthritis isn't barking at them as loudly... It goes on and on. What is causing this "poor" health to "good" health reversal? Aqua fitness!

Every morning, six days a week, I lead a combination of yoga poses and cardio exercise in our pool. It started with one lady asking me if I could give her some exercises to do for her aching back and has turned into 55 or more people showing up at 9:00am to do almost a hour of activity together. It is standing room only in the water. I could be selling tickets it is so popular.

The best thing about this whole activity is that it is working for people. Everyone seems thrilled with their personal results, be it more mobility or less aches and pains. It is all good. The smile on their faces says it all. Now the biggest problem seems to be how to continue this new found physical activity once they head home. I can't move to everyone's home town to lead the force. I am hoping they go and find a hatha yoga class or an Aquafit program at a health club or Y near their house. Now that they can see and feel the benefit to a little physical activity, they need to keep up the good work.

Since it is spring break for a good part of the universities and schools this month there are also a bunch of grandchildren who are joining in. They are huffing and puffing their way through a class some mornings, shamed at the end because their 80 year old grandparents doesn't seem as winded or sore as they do. Hopefully this will serve as a wake up call for them to get off their butts, and phones, and find something active to partake in. One can only hope.

It's time to hit the pool again. The crowd starts to gather earlier and earlier everyday. Prime spots in the pool get snapped up like rock star parking spots on Oscar Night in LA. Who would every have imagined this would become the highlight of the day for a group of retired people? Off to pump some muscles into shape.

xox

m