AYURVEDA ON SWIMMING
When it comes to water - one of the five elements, Ayurveda has a lot to say! On account of this I have written a lot about water over the last year or so (scroll to the bottom to read more). With my upcoming Caribbean retreat, I’m getting excited about the thought of swimming in a warm sea for once so I thought I’d take a look at swimming through the lens of Ayurveda.
Now, I don’t swim often! With a history of childhood eczema, and a blip where I was diagnosed as an acute asthmatic, I’m really conscious about the heavily chlorinated water of commercial swimming pools. And in the colder months of the UK which are seemingly endless I really don’t fancy the idea of sea or wild swimming at all…..Vatas raise your hands!
When it comes to the Ayurvedic perspective, as with any form of exercise, swimming can be enhanced by choosing the right type of swimming for your constitution or ‘dosha’. For example:
VATA: Vata types tend to have a lighter build and can benefit from gentle swimming that focuses on breath control and relaxation, such as swimming in a warm pool or gentle strokes in the ocean
PITTA: Pitta types tend to be more athletic and can benefit from more vigorous swimming that challenges their strength and endurance, such as fast-paced lap swimming or water sports
KAPHA: Kapha types tend to be more heavy-set and can benefit from swimming that is both invigorating and grounding, such as water aerobics or synchronized swimming
These are also some Ayurveda-inspired rituals that you can use to enhance your swimming experience and promote balance within the body:
Before swimming, apply a natural oil, such as coconut or sesame oil, to your skin to keep it moisturized and protected from the chlorine in the water
Stay hydrated by drinking warm water before and after swimming
Practice pranayama (breathing exercises) before and after swimming to help calm the mind and enhance lung capacity - e.g Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing) to improve focus and Ujjayi (Ocean Breath) to improve breath control
After swimming, take a warm shower and again massage your muscles with a natural oil to promote relaxation and reduce soreness
Consider oiling your hair (once dry) that evening to restore it from any moisture loss - yes water can cause dryness to the hair shaft and scalp
Eat a balanced meal that is rich in protein and vegetables after swimming to support muscle recovery and promote overall health
And for post chlorinated water swims you can now buy a spray to help neutralise the effects of the chemical on your skin. Chlorine can strip the natural oils from your skin, leading to dryness, irritation and sometimes rashes. It can also be damaging to hair, causing it to become dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage. This swim spray can help to neutralise any chlorine residue whilst soothing and restoring your skin’s natural moisture balance, reducing the risk of irritation and discomfort. Or make your own with ½ cup distilled water, ½ tsp sodium ascorbate powder (vit c) and your choice of essential oils (optional), shake and spray on before and after swimming.
With Ayurveda, it is all about prevention as much as remedy. With this in mind it's worth trying to avoid heavily chlorinated pools if possible. Saltwater, ultraviolet and Ozone treated swimming pools that are chlorine-free are such a better option for health. While they are often the reserve of fancy gyms or hotels these options are now on the rise - and if you are lucky enough to live near an outdoor lido, even if they are chlorinated, you are out in the open air. Best case scenario, if you can, go for the most natural option - think rivers, lakes and swimming ponds which are responsibly cared for, or uncontaminated stretches of sea. These natural bodies of water have inspired the rise of Bio-Pools; chemical free pools purified through biological filters and aquatic plants which only add to biodiversity of their environment. Getting out into nature is the ultimate reset and a wild dip or splash in the sea can be meditative or enlivening - or both!
Signing out with the words of the great swimmer Aleksandr Popov: