ZEN: Swimming Therapy

Ask Michael Phelps. He was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 9 and was on medication until 11. But, according to his mother, swimming was his savior. It is very regimented, sequential, and, shall we say, requires a monumental amount of focus. Phelps’ ADHD was finally in control. And, let’s just say, the rest is history.
But you neither have to suffer from ADHD or train for the next Olympics in London to reap similar benefits from a healthy swimming therapy. Swimming is relaxing yet invigorating. Think “runner’s high” without damaging your knees. Besides, living in South Texas means the blessing of being able to swim almost all year round.
The easiest and perhaps most fitting for an activity such as swimming is watching your breathing, anapanasati. Simply glide through the water and pay most attention to the way you inhale and exhale. Do not force it. Just keep your regular breathing rhythm you normally use when you swim. Continue to do it throughout the swimming session.