Comments on: Swim Lesson

By: Izzy

Izzy — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:26:59 +0000

Sara,

And in our stepfamilies, holding our breath often comes naturally! But, it sounds like you’ve been through it… and through it and through it. I’m sure you’re exhaling just fine.

By: sara

sara — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:46:53 +0000

Dear Izzy, I have been a stepmother, stepdaughter, stepsister, now step-grandmother, really step everything my entire life–yet I still need to learn how to breathe. Thanks for reminding me in this post that when you’re swimming, breathing comes naturally.

By: furiousp

furiousp — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:33:26 +0000

I wonder if i can still fit into my one-piece…I’m inspired.

By: Mark DeVito

Mark DeVito — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:17:44 +0000

Great stuff! Love reading your blog. Push that comfort zone!

By: piper

piper — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:02:27 +0000

one of the most quiet places and moments I know is sitting cross legged on the bottom like you did when you were a kid. 30 seconds there beats 30 minutes meditating.

just warn the lifeguard beforehand

By: Kristi

Kristi — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:13:46 +0000

I have written down the “Reach, Stretch, Breath” mantra on a 3×5 card and stuck it to my refrigerator. I love it! Thanks Izzy Rose. I too took swim lessons as an adult and I still feel it was one of the best things I have done. I feel so much more comfortable in the water. Good for you for pushing your comfort zone and reminding us to do the same.

By: WhoHa!

WhoHa! — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:19:31 +0000

I LOVE THIS SITE. Whenever I’m getting stressed or down or confused, I come here. Now off to the lanes. Maybe the water will purge my negative thoughts. Thank you IZZY!!!!!

By: bonita sarita

bonita sarita — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:06:30 +0000

What a wonderful post! I also will be thinking “reach, stretch and breathe” to myself all this week, in and out of the pool.

*And* your new swimming abilities will make a Barton Springs pony keg that much more fun!!

By: LalalaLeah

LalalaLeah — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:30:08 +0000

Oh, Izzy.
You crack me up, warm my heart and inspire me to think.
I love how you challenge yourself with these creative athletic endeavors meanwhile setting yourself up for all sorts of joke cracking. Swimsuits, head caps and fins: a perfect storm for auto-ironic hilarity. But I come away from this post thinking about the power of meditation. Your “reach, stretch and breathe” mantra is one I can imagine employing for myself, a young lady without offspring (my own or otherwise). The repetition of this mantra allowed you to focus, but do so in a self-caring manner, something I think in itself is a good, motherly lesson. I take your “reach, stretch and breathe” to mean, “challenge yourself, play around in the experience to feel it’s dimensions and delight in the activity.”

By: Mister-M

Mister-M — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:40:11 +0000

I can think of no other activity that does such an amazing job with physical fitness, weight loss, and just an overall great feeling both physically and mentally. And it’s so much FUN to do.

Enjoy it, you’ll find it to be very rewarding.

By: Treasia

Treasia — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:33:12 +0000

Good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. I commend you on this. Now if only I can find the motivation for it. haha