We are all Teachers

I taught swimming again last night and it was so awesome having two new students who were open and ready to learn. I reassured the new people we do not need to use the deep end until they are ready. No point in increasing their anxiety! I said first let's do some bobs. One woman with a great smile and good energy maybe age 58 was holding her nose and I said OK first off let me show you how to breathe because it's the root of everything. Breathe in your mouth and then underwater blow out air like you are blowing your nose. She was off and running, happy to have the tips. I am a quick learner, she said. She made the prayer sign thanking me when she left. She grew up in Morocco and knows 5 languages!

My other new student, age 14, already swims but needed some pointers. She was also quick when I showed her how to not lift her head up in the water while doing the crawl and instead keep her head down and roll her head slightly to breathe by keeping her ear on her arm. I said you have to see yourself as a human shish kabob, all lined up straight on the skewer and you'll stay on the surface. She liked that and was able to make the adjustment. Doesn't that feel better? I asked. Yes! she said, smiling.

 

I always ask my students what they want to work on and they usually have an answer. They get to choose! Then this same new 14 year old with two beautiful braids and an Italian name did a magnificent dolphin kick and I said Oh Wow, please show my other devoted swimmer (age 13). So the new girl showed her and they were both happy. The mother of the 13-year-old was overjoyed. "I am so proud of her!" 

 

I said to the new girl, it's fun to be the teacher isn't it? This is a new exciting thing I have discovered - we are all teachers to each other.