[Sportsandrec] participating in water fitness classes
Laura S. Havard
lshavard at verizon.net
Wed Feb 10 22:39:51 UTC 2010
Dear Ben:
I have participated in Water stretch classes for many years at the YMCA. I
used a variety of strategies in order that I could get the most of the
class. I would talk to the instructor before the class. Ask the instructor
to give verbal instructions. S/he may be willing to demonstrate what the
particular moves and give it a name. You could also position your self near
someone else who is able to assist in either describing the moves and or
showing you physically. Many of the moves are done over and over through
the class and repeated in follow-up classes. Request from the instructor
instructions as move to the right, left forward and back as it relates to
your position and not have to flip the directions since the instructor may
be facing you. Keep hanging in and you should be able to learn most of the
moves. The most important thing is that you are moving and moving means
burning calories. Have fun with it. If you get confused just move in a way
that you can.
Enjoy the class.
Laura
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 18:41:09 -0800
From: Ben Peters <myangelblessings at hotmail.com>
To: <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
Message-ID: <BLU141-W16F22DA5A90AA69DD1ED5FC24F0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi I am new on this list. My name is Ben, and I'm a 24 year old college
student in California. I look forward to this list.
I have a question regarding fitness classes. Specifically, my local public
swimming pool offers some aerobics and stretch and tone classes that are
instructor led and set to music. I have been thinking about attending, but I
don't have a clue to how I would be able to know what the instructor is
doing. I have some sight, but not enough to follow a workout routine that
someone else is doing. I spoke with the person at the front desk and they
were also unsure how it would work for me.
I guess what I am wondering to all of you is, does anyone have any tips,
techniques, ideas, suggestions, or something that could help me in these
classes. I am unsure how this situation would work, and I have never taken
such a class before and could use any suggestions. Or are these types of
classes generally difficult to do because of poor vision? I'm not willing to
attend until I can figure out if it is workable.
Thanks, Ben
myangelblessings at hotmail.com
Facebook: http://profile.to/benpeters10/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/benpeters10 www.myspace.com/angelbenwithlove
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:19:56 -0800
From: Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at earthlink.net>
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.2.20100209190220.02410088 at earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Hi, Ben,
I am totally blind, without eyeballs in fact, but grew up to hold
physical fitness and body image in an unprecedented high regard.
My mother and I would just show up at various classes and athletic events,
and she would introduce me to the instructor before saying, "oh, by the way
she's blind" and that was it, they would presumably see that I was a
together enough kid and looked alright, and would take on the challenge of
adapting the material to be workable for a blind person.
Today at age 26 I spin and do abs class at the local health club.
It seems People hafta just get used to blind folks not being invalids,
because this is what most expect from people with pour eyesight, for them to
totally dig their current realities whatever they may be, stay in the chair
and shutup and don't give your sighted keepers hassles by being
dissatisfied.
You'll hafta let me know how your experience as a partial differs from mine?
I would encourage you to just see if the instructor is open to verbalizing
his instructions or if you can partner with another member of the class.
Keep us posted, but it seems you may hafta add this activity to that list of
stuff from which you are forced to be excluded.
But really, try those things, see how they work.
Carly of Berkeley :
>Hi I am new on this list. My name is Ben, and I'm a 24 year old college
>student in California. I look forward to this list.
>
>I have a question regarding fitness classes. Specifically, my local
>public swimming pool offers some aerobics and stretch and tone classes
>that are instructor led and set to music. I have been thinking about
>attending, but I don't have a clue to how I would be able to know what
>the instructor is doing. I have some sight, but not enough to follow a
>workout routine that someone else is doing. I spoke with the person at
>the front desk and they were also unsure how it would work for me.
>
>
>
>I guess what I am wondering to all of you is, does anyone have any
>tips, techniques, ideas, suggestions, or something that could help me
>in these classes. I am unsure how this situation would work, and I have
>never taken such a class before and could use any suggestions. Or are
>these types of classes generally difficult to do because of poor
>vision? I'm not willing to attend until I can figure out if it is
>workable.
>
>
>
>Thanks, Ben
>
>myangelblessings at hotmail.com
>
>Facebook: http://profile.to/benpeters10/
>
>Twitter: http://twitter.com/benpeters10
>www.myspace.com/angelbenwithlove
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
>http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/
>_______________________________________________
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>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>Sportsandrec:
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>40earthlink.net
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 23:45:31 -0500 (EST)
From: bookwormahb at earthlink.net
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
Message-ID:
<24275412.1265777131170.JavaMail.root at wamui-cynical.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi Ben,
Nice to see you on list. For now my main activity is walking.
I have participated in spin classes as well and was able to follow it pretty
well. However sometimes I did not know what position they were in or the
stretches they were doing; still spin class was the most accessible.
I have seen you on other lists. I am also a young adult in my 20s who has
low vision. I have my central vision. I feel your pain and uncertainty
regarding group classes. Since they are fast paced and lead by
demonstration this is visual and presents some challenges.
Aquatic aerobics and toning workouts are great so hope it works out. There
are also water fitness trainers but that is rather expensive.
I think you should look into doing the class before giving up. Whether it
works depends on the instructor's attitude and willingness to adapt and work
with you. I was unfortunate to run into a jerk dance instructor at college
who was rude and refused to accomodate me. I was forced to drop the class.
I tried hard to explain and work with him but he was in his mind set and I
was getting more hurt psychologically so abandoned that idea.
You said this is a local public pool so since its public they should be
aware they need to accomodate people with disabilities. I think you should
speak to the manager of the pool program. Find out how the class is
structured. They cannot give you the instructor's contact info but the
instructor may be able to call you. After speaking with the manager if you
are still interested, talk to the instructor. Suggest accomodations.
You might also want to observe a class or two in order to see how its run.
Accomodations you might ask for are to be in the front row, ask the
instructor to verbalize instructions, use directions rather than pointing
when class moves around and maybe see if he or she can tell you where the
water equipment is before class. You may have difficulty learning what the
moves mean unless you are shown. The instructor can call out cues but you
have to understand them. So getting some hands on demonstration before
class is ideal; but they don't have to work one to one with you since its a
class but it can't hurt to ask.
I participated in water aerobics at a public recreation facility during the
summer. I had an assistant through the county. Additionallly we asked the
instructor to be more verbal and I was able to stay in the front.
Since I had someone showing me what was happening and giving me additional
verbal instruction it worked out okay. If you have a friend or classmate
willing to help you this would also be in your favor. If you cannot see
well enough to learn the moves someone showing you may work the best. After
you know them you can follow verbal cues.
Fortunately water aerobics is similar to land aerobics so its not something
very new to pick up. For instance you'll do jogging, marching, jumping
jacks, kicks and arm movements based on swim strokes.
Good luck.
Ashley
-----Original Message-----
>From: Ben Peters <myangelblessings at hotmail.com>
>Sent: Feb 9, 2010 9:41 PM
>To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
>Subject: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
>
>
>Hi I am new on this list. My name is Ben, and I'm a 24 year old college
student in California. I look forward to this list.
>
>I have a question regarding fitness classes. Specifically, my local public
swimming pool offers some aerobics and stretch and tone classes that are
instructor led and set to music. I have been thinking about attending, but I
don't have a clue to how I would be able to know what the instructor is
doing. I have some sight, but not enough to follow a workout routine that
someone else is doing. I spoke with the person at the front desk and they
were also unsure how it would work for me.
>
>
>
>I guess what I am wondering to all of you is, does anyone have any tips,
techniques, ideas, suggestions, or something that could help me in these
classes. I am unsure how this situation would work, and I have never taken
such a class before and could use any suggestions. Or are these types of
classes generally difficult to do because of poor vision? I'm not willing to
attend until I can figure out if it is workable.
>
>
>
>Thanks, Ben
>
>myangelblessings at hotmail.com
>
>Facebook: http://profile.to/benpeters10/
>
>Twitter: http://twitter.com/benpeters10
>www.myspace.com/angelbenwithlove
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
>http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/
>_______________________________________________
>Sportsandrec mailing list
>Sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Sportsandrec:
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org/bookworma
>hb%40earthlink.net
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 23:50:03 -0500
From: "Justin Williams" <justin.williams2 at gmail.com>
To: "'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'"
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
Message-ID: <001b01caaa0c$82c72860$88557920$@williams2 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Talk to the instructor man. Just see what they say.
-----Original Message-----
From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ben Peters
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 9:41 PM
To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
Hi I am new on this list. My name is Ben, and I'm a 24 year old college
student in California. I look forward to this list.
I have a question regarding fitness classes. Specifically, my local public
swimming pool offers some aerobics and stretch and tone classes that are
instructor led and set to music. I have been thinking about attending, but I
don't have a clue to how I would be able to know what the instructor is
doing. I have some sight, but not enough to follow a workout routine that
someone else is doing. I spoke with the person at the front desk and they
were also unsure how it would work for me.
I guess what I am wondering to all of you is, does anyone have any tips,
techniques, ideas, suggestions, or something that could help me in these
classes. I am unsure how this situation would work, and I have never taken
such a class before and could use any suggestions. Or are these types of
classes generally difficult to do because of poor vision? I'm not willing to
attend until I can figure out if it is workable.
Thanks, Ben
myangelblessings at hotmail.com
Facebook: http://profile.to/benpeters10/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/benpeters10 www.myspace.com/angelbenwithlove
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/
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s2%40gmail.com
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:14:28 -0500
From: "Rania" <raniaismail04 at gmail.com>
To: "'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'"
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
Message-ID: <A7700F13563A473A91A58EF7E88F9FBB at raniaPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi Ben!
I would talk to the teacher and have them tell you what they are doing.
Rania,
-----Original Message-----
From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ben Peters
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 9:41 PM
To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
Hi I am new on this list. My name is Ben, and I'm a 24 year old college
student in California. I look forward to this list.
I have a question regarding fitness classes. Specifically, my local public
swimming pool offers some aerobics and stretch and tone classes that are
instructor led and set to music. I have been thinking about attending, but I
don't have a clue to how I would be able to know what the instructor is
doing. I have some sight, but not enough to follow a workout routine that
someone else is doing. I spoke with the person at the front desk and they
were also unsure how it would work for me.
I guess what I am wondering to all of you is, does anyone have any tips,
techniques, ideas, suggestions, or something that could help me in these
classes. I am unsure how this situation would work, and I have never taken
such a class before and could use any suggestions. Or are these types of
classes generally difficult to do because of poor vision? I'm not willing to
attend until I can figure out if it is workable.
Thanks, Ben
myangelblessings at hotmail.com
Facebook: http://profile.to/benpeters10/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/benpeters10 www.myspace.com/angelbenwithlove
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/
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Message: 6
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:46:11 -0600
From: "Joe Shaw" <jrs3147 at comcast.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List"
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
Message-ID: <004601caaa5f$cadb38a0$0c00a8c0 at owner78339f568>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Hey Ben, welcome!
You should attend a class and "watch" listen to the class and be near them
treading water while you do it if you are able to tread and listen. After
class talk to the instructor expressing your desire to join the class. Tell
he/ she that verbal cues will have to be given so you will know what is
going on.
I spin as well and do abs after. The positions are explained to all new
members joining your first class or two generally. They know the regulars.
The abs stuff was harder as it's not as cut and dry. My teachers got to
where they were real wordy and will watch and tell me if I am not doing it
right. Fitness instructors and the workout community in general I think are
a team help oriented mind-set naturally I think and so are usually pretty
eager to assist.
I went to a boot camp class in this same manner to see if it was for me and
to show I could really smile. I decided it was too much work for me to learn
what everything was and that it was the workout I was interested in and not
the strain of paying attention so I have passed on them. The knowledge that
I could do it was more important tom me than was the sticking in there. By
the way, I have very little to no usable vision in the gym and who cares
anyway.
Find out what you want to do and go after it.
You can!
Joe Shaw
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ben Peters" <myangelblessings at hotmail.com>
To: <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 8:41 PM
Subject: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
>
> Hi I am new on this list. My name is Ben, and I'm a 24 year old
> college student in California. I look forward to this list.
>
> I have a question regarding fitness classes. Specifically, my local
> public swimming pool offers some aerobics and stretch and tone classes
> that are instructor led and set to music. I have been thinking about
> attending, but I don't have a clue to how I would be able to know what
> the instructor is doing. I have some sight, but not enough to follow a
> workout routine that someone else is doing. I spoke with the person at
> the front desk and they were also unsure how it would work for me.
>
>
>
> I guess what I am wondering to all of you is, does anyone have any
> tips, techniques, ideas, suggestions, or something that could help me
> in these classes. I am unsure how this situation would work, and I
> have never taken such a class before and could use any suggestions. Or
> are these types of classes generally difficult to do because of poor
> vision? I'm not willing to attend until I can figure out if it is
workable.
>
>
>
> Thanks, Ben
>
> myangelblessings at hotmail.com
>
> Facebook: http://profile.to/benpeters10/
>
> Twitter: http://twitter.com/benpeters10
> www.myspace.com/angelbenwithlove
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/
> _______________________________________________
> Sportsandrec mailing list
> Sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Sportsandrec:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org/jrs3147%
> 40comcast.net
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:50:12 -0800
From: Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at earthlink.net>
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.2.20100210094009.024142c8 at earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Hey, Joe,
Each of your points directed to Ben have been my own experience as
well, but lemme just say my boyfriend, Robin and I became very close with
the abbs instructor after going a couple times weekly to learn the
exercises. Eventually we were able to slip, rather seamlessly into the main
stream classes.
Joe is right when he says the workout community is a generally down to earth
and open one, and chances are you will find yourself feeling at ease right
off the bat.
Other clients are a great resource and, given the openness of the community
will be enthusiastic impowerers.
Good luck!
Carto the class and be near them treading water while you do it if you are
able to tread and listen. After class talk to the instructor expressing your
desire to join the class. Tell he/ she that verbal cues will have to be
given so you will know what is going on.
>I spin as well and do abs after. The positions are explained to all new
>members joining your first class or two generally. They know the
>regulars. The abs stuff was harder as it's not as cut and dry. My
>teachers got to where they were real wordy and will watch and tell me
>if I am not doing it right. Fitness instructors and the workout
>community in general I think are a team help oriented mind-set
>naturally I think and so are usually pretty eager to assist.
>I went to a boot camp class in this same manner to see if it was for me
>and to show I could really smile. I decided it was too much work for me
>to learn what everything was and that it was the workout I was
>interested in and not the strain of paying attention so I have passed
>on them. The knowledge that I could do it was more important tom me
>than was the sticking in there. By the way, I have very little to no
>usable vision in the gym and who cares anyway.
>Find out what you want to do and go after it.
>You can!
>Joe Shaw
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Ben Peters"
><myangelblessings at hotmail.com>
>To: <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 8:41 PM
>Subject: [Sportsandrec] new member and a question
>
>
>>
>>Hi I am new on this list. My name is Ben, and I'm a 24 year old
>>college student in California. I look forward to this list.
>>
>>I have a question regarding fitness classes. Specifically, my local
>>public swimming pool offers some aerobics and stretch and tone classes
>>that are instructor led and set to music. I have been thinking about
>>attending, but I don't have a clue to how I would be able to know what
>>the instructor is doing. I have some sight, but not enough to follow a
>>workout routine that someone else is doing.
>>I spoke with the person at the front desk and they were also unsure
>>how it would work for me.
>>
>>
>>
>>I guess what I am wondering to all of you is, does anyone have any
>>tips, techniques, ideas, suggestions, or something that could help me
>>in these classes. I am unsure how this situation would work, and I
>>have never taken such a class before and could use any suggestions. Or
>>are these types of classes generally difficult to do because of poor
>>vision? I'm not willing to attend until I can figure out if it is
>>workable.
>>
>>
>>
>>Thanks, Ben
>>
>>myangelblessings at hotmail.com
>>
>>Facebook: http://profile.to/benpeters10/
>>
>>Twitter: http://twitter.com/benpeters10
>>www.myspace.com/angelbenwithlove
>>
>>_________________________________________________________________
>>Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
>>http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/
>>_______________________________________________
>>Sportsandrec mailing list
>>Sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org
>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>Sportsandrec:
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org/jrs3147%
>>40comcast.net
>>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
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>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>Sportsandrec:
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/sportsandrec_nfbnet.org/carlymih%
>40earthlink.net
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