Exercise in the water has advantages for the young and the old
WATER aerobics is often marketed as a prime time activity; gym code for the osteoporosis-busting over fifties. After watching a clutch of petal-headed swimming matrons hard at it in the Poseidonio Health Club swimming pool, I realised this was a bit unfair as it is actually jolly hard work.
It is definitely not an activity for those who don’t relish a certain amount of physical challenge – you try doing 10 to 15 scissor jumps in the pool followed by can-can-like high kicks. It may feel less of an assault on the body than land-based aerobics classes but it is just as effective, but remember, exercising in water is always much harder than it looks.
Water is also a very forgiving healer with its combination of caressing and stimulating effect on both young and old. One lady, recently recovered from a hip operation, told me that this was the perfect way to exercise without putting undue weight or stress on her new hip. “I feel very safe here doing my exercises. The water gives my body the buoyancy needed to perform some of these essential exercises without making me feel nervous that I may pull something or break a bone, the sort of things I would be worried about if I did these exercises in an ordinary gym. The other huge plus is as this is a good cardio vascular work out three times a week I now sleep very well after years of having to take sleeping tablets.”
What else struck me was the camaraderie of the ladies taking the plunge – they were all shapes and sizes, some pensioners others in their forties but all were having a whale of a time lunging, legging it, and marching their way through the water as Eleni, the instructor, put them through their paces.
In societies blessed with better medical and social care, the second highest cause of infant mortality is drowning. All children should, of course, learn to swim, even more so if they live in a hot country like Cyprus, where swimming pools are the norm rather than the exception. Learning about water and being aware of its dangers greatly enhance a child’s chance of survival if in a water accident. At least if a child has been introduced from an early age to a swimming pool there is less of a paralysing effect of fear and panic if they do fall into water. Because small children are top heavy it’s entirely possible for a child to drown even in two inches of water.
With this in mind, the Poseidonio hosts mother and baby mornings, specifically to get young children used to water from an early age. Actual swimming is something that can only happen later in their development as a very young child won’t be co-ordinated enough to learn to swim properly but if they are introduced to water early on they will feel a lot more relaxed and less fearful.
Some babies start as early as twelve weeks, although the noise generated in an indoor swimming pool might be a bit daunting for a new born. Doctors also suggest that it’s best for mothers to wait until they have had their six-week check-up before ‘diving in’.
I watched as these little dippers took to the water with all the wobbly grace of sea turtles, and, as they had never ever heard the sound track to Jaws or, experienced the fear of the deep end of a pool, they were all quite fearless in the water. Mums are encouraged to always keep constant eye contact with their child, and many find that this half hour holding and playing with their baby is one of the best and most dedicated times they have, especially if they live a busy life.
Maria is 26 and her daughter six months old, she explained what it meant for them to be mother and daughter water babies. “My daughter is so happy and relaxed both during and after her 20 minutes in the pool, afterwards, she also sleeps much better and I do believe the skin to skin contact over that period of time and the fact that I am totally concentrating on her, makes for an even firmer bonding experience.
“It’s also very good for me as I get to enjoy my time with her, do some exercise and meet other mothers on a semi social basis afterwards.
“I, or should I say we, absolutely love the experience and although I am still fearful of her around our swimming pool as she has no fear of water I feel I am giving her an early start on water safety and she is learning the sheer pleasure of enjoying the water.”
l The Poseidonio Health and Fitness centre. 132 Democratis Avenue, Paphos. Tel 26 222234 or 26 952745. Fax 26 938760
