Raju Kumar
Swimming has a very old relationship with human society. For communities living near rivers and ponds, it was once a life-saving skill. Over time, it became a sport, and gradually it started becoming a part of lifestyle. The growing number of swimming pools in cities is also a result of this expanding role. In recent years, interest in swimming has increased rapidly in urban areas. Swimming is no longer limited to a life-saving skill, sport or hobby; it has now expanded into fitness, therapy and mental well-being. Today, people are learning swimming to stay fit, to lose weight, to reduce stress, and many people even go to the swimming pool simply to spend some quiet and peaceful time in water.
If one visits a city swimming pool in the morning or evening, the scene appears quite different from the past. Earlier, one would mostly see children or young people preparing for competitions. Now people of every age group can be seen. Some come on a doctor’s advice, some to lose weight, some to get relief from back pain, and some simply because they find exercising in water more comfortable than going to the gym. Activities such as aqua yoga, aqua meditation, water exercises and hydrotherapy have given swimming a new identity. Practising yoga in water, walking in water, focusing on breathing while floating-these activities are gradually becoming popular in cities.
Health experts also believe that swimming is among the few exercises that engage the entire body without putting too much pressure on it. In water, the body feels lighter, which is why swimming is a very good option for people suffering from knee pain, obesity, back pain, or those who cannot perform heavy exercise. Regular swimming strengthens the heart, improves lung capacity and increases stamina. Swimming is also considered very beneficial for mental health, because being in water relaxes both the body and the mind. Many people say that they sleep better and feel less stressed after swimming.
Trainers say that learning swimming may be easy, but certain precautions are very important before entering the water. Swimming should always be learned under the supervision of a trained coach. Many people enter deep water thinking they will learn on their own, but this can be very dangerous. A light warm-up before swimming and proper rest after swimming are important to avoid muscle strain. Cleanliness of the pool is also very important, as dirty water can cause skin, eye and ear infections. Children should never be left alone in water, even if they know how to swim.
Some people should take special precautions before starting swimming. Those who have serious heart conditions, frequent dizziness, epilepsy, severe asthma, or those who have recently undergone major surgery should consult a doctor before starting swimming. Similarly, people with skin infections, ear infections or open wounds should avoid entering the pool. Light swimming may be beneficial for pregnant women, but only after medical advice.
Brijmohan Dhakad, manager of Purushottam Gaur Taran Pushkar, Bhopal, says that the profile of people coming to learn swimming has become more diverse over the past few years. Earlier, most children came during summer vacations and young people came for competitive training, but now, along with children, a large number of women, working professionals and elderly people are also coming to learn swimming. Swimming is an exercise in which there is no sudden strain on the body and the entire body gets exercised. The number of women learners has increased rapidly, as swimming not only helps in fitness but also builds confidence. Elderly people are now keeping themselves active through water walking and light swimming.
The growing interest in swimming shows that people now want activities that provide exercise, enjoyment and mental peace at the same time. Swimming perhaps balances all three-it is a sport, an exercise and also carries a certain calmness that comes from being in water. That is the real beauty of swimming-it does not exhaust you, it makes you feel lighter. (IPA)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
