A couple of weeks ago, a friend told me about an “Aquatherapy” class she had tried out. It’s basically gentle movements in a warm swimming pool, geared to people with various kinds of pain and limitations.

After a bit of deliberation, I decided to give it a try.

When I was born, our family lived right on the river. My Mom said I learned how to swim before I learned to walk! I still love being in, on or near water. I feel peace by the water. One of my kids noted that every single piece of art in our living room had water in it!

I went to my first Aquatherapy class last Tuesday, and paid my $5.25 to drop in. I arrived early, met the instructor and told her about how excited I was to be there, that years ago I used to go to that very same facility four to five times a week for their aerobics classes and weight room.

I was a bit of a keener back then! I started to feel thrilled (like an old racehorse who’d been put out to pasture might) with the thought of returning to my old stomping grounds.

I told the instructor I was a bit concerned that I might overdo it, but would try to take it easy … wouldn’t want me passing out in a pool! 😉

But it was REALLY fun! The class was fine, the music was good, the people were kind, and the movements weren’t too hard – more like range of motion, not strenuous. My body relaxed in the soothing warmth, and it felt easy, comfortable, familiar. I didn’t worry about the lack of feeling in my feet. I didn’t worry about stumbling or losing my balance or falling. I felt free, and for the first time in quite a while, it didn’t hurt to move!

Words cannot describe the joy of that hour in the water!

I went back on Thursday and bought a month pass. It’s more than I usually spend on myself, but I think it’s worth it! I went again today, and I’m loving it! My friend and I go together: bonus!

There’s only one part of the experience that I’m not so keen about: climbing out of the pool and feeling the effects of gravity once again. But I think I can learn to cope with that! 🙂

This is obviously not where I do aqua therapy classes, but that is another story! 🙂