[Sportsandrec] Water Joe's, Balance Balls, and a Rec Question

[Justin Williams]

What exactly do you use as a hiking pole?

-----Original Message-----
From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Sivill
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 6:09 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Water Joe's, Balance Balls, and a Rec Question

Hi,
I do a lot of hiking here in the woods and forests of Oregon and am totally
blind. Speaking about techniques, all I do differently from street walking
is use a more vertical cane technique and lift my feet a little bit higher
when I walk so if I don't detect random smaller inconsistencies with the
cane or hiking pole or whatever, I will step right on instead of stumble
over them. I also always bring a Braille compass with me. 
Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Thornbury, Kelly
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 2:58 PM
To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Sportsandrec] Water Joe's, Balance Balls, and a Rec Question

Water Joe's is in reference to a drink I used to be able to get back home,
but even though its made here in the states, I've never come across it...It
might be up Joe's alley...It was caffeinated bottle water. Water with a
kick, and man if you actually made coffee with it...DOUBLE WOW!!!

As for the balance ball, I have an instructor here who could certainly help
with some exercises, but I have to get back to classes to contact her. Also,
you can do other exercises besides the push-ups and sit-ups and gain
benefits. For example, Dumbbell or band exercises while seated on the ball
require you to engage core muscles more for support and balance. If you have
problems keeping your balance while doing these exercises in the beginning,
wrap a rolled up towel around the bottom of the ball and increase the
diameter of the circle as your balance improves until you don't need it
anymore. Sorry I can't offer much on this topic yet, the only experience I
really have with the balance ball is in working with elderly individuals,
and the workouts aren't very intense, but if you like to play the "Head,
Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" game, that one I can do. Laugh if you like, but
the little ol' ladies and gentlemen usually get a kick out of it. 

Recreation Question: 
Does anybody on the list do a lot of hiking, climbing, and similar outdoor
adventure activities. I have an opportunity to work with blind youths this
summer in an outdoor adventure program, and while I have a lot of techniques
for handling these activities that work for me, I'm looking to expand my
"tool chest" of alternative ideas that I may not have tried yet or thought
of, and might be an alternative to what I can offer as a technique. 

Thanks,
Kel "Thorny" (Its all about the knick names today)

"An itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout. Down came the rain and
washed the spider out..."
Sorry, I'm just not any good at the lyrics thing...
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