Aquatic Momentum

 Do you need equipment in the pool to get a good workout?  No, you can use you arms and legs and get a great workout.  Water itself is an effective equipment for working out.  You get 14 times more resistance in water than on land.   How to increase resistance: 1. Speed!  By moving faster in the water, you can really increase the effort it takes to move from one place to another.   2. Hand position! You can change the hand from open, to closed fist, to a scooped position and see how the effort to do so increases. 3. Size of the move.  By moving arms and legs farther from the neutral position, you'll use more energy, and speed up your heart rate as well.  4. Changing direction.  As we move through the water as we get going, it becomes easier as once we are in motion, it is easy to continue it.  However, if we suddenly turn 180 degrees, we'll have to fight against the current that we created, making it even harder to get goi...

 I started with fourth grade swims at the YMCA teaching this ditty, "Reach or throw, don't go!"  A lesson for all ages!  Once you are in about the 4th grade your around the age of looking after younger siblings so it's a great age to teach about safety around water.  Why not just jump in and help someone struggling in the water?  Because, then you both are going to be struggling!  The one in the water first will be trying to grab anything they can reach onto and if that is you, you'll be pushed under as they try to get their head above water to survive getting air.   What is good to use to reach out with?  A back yard pool is usually equipped with skimmers, desk brushes, noodles, you make find a rake or shovel, make sure you reach with the handle end, we don't want to hurt anyone.  Stay as low to the ground the entire time, so you don't get pulled into the water.  If you feel you are getting unstable and might fall into the pool, le...

 The answer is complicated.  For a person who is really eager to learn and has no reservations of being in the water, can swim proficiently with about 4 lessons.  For those scared of the water, it does take a bit longer and depending on age, it can take some tricks too.  It is quite important for the instructor to see that they are afraid so that the introduction to water feeling safe is an initial achievement of the student.  Safety in water (Jump, push, turn, grab)... jump into the water, Turn towards the wall, and grab onto it.   Second is the ability to float... everyone can float, however, not all are equally buoyant, therefore, you may have to teach some tricks to be successful.  Observation of your student can be quick such as a very thin person/child or if their chest is sunken, these individuals will have a harder time floating and placing their arms above their head will change the center point of buoyancy and their feet will not sink as...

 Being submerged in water has such an affect on oneself.  For me I feel more energized and full of life.  I love the initial exit of the pool after a good workout be it a swim or fitness class, and your muscles are tight and walking feels different.  Also, because you can get a better stretch in water, I feel lubricated and flexible, like I am now my best possible physical self I can be at the time. I talked about the freedom of moving in the water, when submerged in the water you have all sort of capabilities that you cannot have on land... and the closest to getting their is free falling from the sky.  For example, doing somersaults, several in a row, no worries about getting your feet correctly for a landing.  Think of the synchronized swimmers, and all the cool stuff they do!   For me especially, if you haven't met me in person (yet), I have shorter arms from birth that keeps me from putting much weight on them, so no handstands or cartwheels ...

 Last we talked about water fitness, today lets focus on swimming.  Swimming and the ability to do so with out a float or parent holding on, is such an achievement in independence!  Once you or your child relaxes, (the absolute key to staying afloat), the water will hold a body up and from there you can paddle arms or legs and move throughout the water.   Also the head is the main component of directing you as your swimming.  Point the top of your head towards the other end of the pool, and you'll move in that direction.  Lift your head up (so the top of head is pointing toward the sky or ceiling) and your feet will drop opposite the head and you will stop progressing through the water. Once your instincts pick up on the movement needed to move as you want, your brain is no longer involved.  You no longer have to think about the way you need to reach your arms forward, or breath correctly, or even if your kicking enough, your body will just do it....

  Water fitness is actually amazing for all ages and abilities.  The benefit of working out in water is that you can be with group of people that have a vast arrange of fitness abilities,and still get a great workout by moving to your own pace and range of motion. Fist of all, please make sure that you are in tune to your body's cues, if something hurts don't do it!   How to  increase a workout: 1. Speed up the move      You should always move at a pace comfortable and chalenging to you, never match the speed of the person next to you or the instructor. 2. Make the move bigger     Increase the size of the move, not only are you going to increase the surface area, you'll also increase your flexibility. 3. Rebound higher     By adding or increasing the distance from the pool floor, you will increase your heart rate and muscles used to make them rebound. 4. Travel      Even if you are only moving...

 Hello!  I am located in the Dayton. Ohio area.  Offering to instruct anyone on movement in the water.  If you are looking to get toned and fit in the pool, or improve your swimming capabilities, please contact me at Anna@aquaticmomentum.com and I can set up an appointment with you to assess your needs and goals.