Kayak-yak-yak

Now I’m pretty fit and look as if I’m pretty athletic. However I grew up walking on roller and ice skates, as well as alongside my bicycle . And, I was always the last one chosen and the first one out for dodge ball during gym class. Truth-be-told, to this day I’m better at hiking (and walking) up a hill rather than down. The difference between then and now, though, is that then I would eventually stop myself from trying something new or more than once. Now, I’m more likely to rally and see where a muscle-moving adventure might take me. I love to move my body. And, I’m not afraid to look or be silly. In fact, it’s a key part of me and a part I like to support development of with those who find their inner silly somewhat dormant.

“How do you want to move your body today?” This is a question I ask of clients who have a block around regular exercise. While I seem more naturally to be a gym rat and more relaxed in that controlled environment it is simply not the only form of exercise that works for my body—or, way more importantly, my soul. Your whole body works when you are moving your body regularly in one or more ways. Mixing it up can add lots to your spirit and sense of fun. It can even shift how you view a situation, solve a problem and challenge your outlook.

This leads me to a most recent experience. It started the week prior to last when a new friend asked if I wanted to go kayaking on the Hudson River. Sure, I said. I believe that either right before or right after the invitation was extended I was asked whether or not I have ever gone kayaking before. Nope, I said.

So there we were. Car parked. Life vests secured. Water bottles in hand. That’s when I realized there was no valet who was going to help carry the kayak down to the bay launch site. Honestly, this isn’t as princess-like as it sounds. I had actually spent some time visualizing this experience and had forgotten that somehow, some way the kayak had to go from land to water. Woops. This turned out to be the strength building and balance portion of the program.
Squat down. (Leg training came in handy here.) Core tucked in Uddiyana-bunda style. (Ah, my beloved yoga practice.) One-two-three: lift! (Bicep and tricep training…check.) Walk down a grouping of steps and then onto a short ramp floating on water. (Uh, oh……..need a little help with both balance and going in a downhill direction it still seems…..) I was sweating and we were still on dry land. But there I was out and about on a beautiful summer Saturday in nature and moving my body. Miraculously a town patrolman/guard/my kayak angel was suddenly there helping my friend and I carry the kayak the rest of the way and assisting with placing it in the water (Psuedo Valet?! CHECK!!!! )

Then we were in and I experienced a triple play of feelings and sensations all at once. There was the practicality of getting an arm workout while paddling, utilizing muscles that I absolutely do not use daily. There was the thrill of moving forward under a train trestle from the quiet calm of the bay to the fluid and more powerful flow of the mighty Hudson River. And there was the special bonus and pure delight of sharing time, conversation, laughs and musings with another person as we yak-yak-yak-ed in the kayak.

Moving out of a comfort zone in general can make your heart beat a bit more rapidly. Great for the spirit. Add to that using your physical body and we have cardiovascular, yes, “exercise.” But the organic cherry on the cake is sharing the experience with another person , adding to the true fun and soul-soar of it all. The stuff that money and a gym membership can’t buy.
Think about it. How do you want to move your body today? If you choose to go outdoors, the sky really is the limit.