21/01/19 – Out and In, In and Out

Breathing. We are talking about breathing… Because it’s important, it keeps you alive, but how often do you think about it?

Consider poor dolphins. They always have to think about their breathing, consciously ensuring their blowhole is above the water before they let themselves take a breath. Then what happens when they sleep? (…you should be wondering)

Well, they have this trick where they only ever let half their brain go to sleep. Their brain halves actually take turns at staying awake to make sure they can breathe. Cool, huh?

As land mammals, most of our daily breathing occurs automatically, so we take it for granted. That’s a shame, because with a little understanding and practice you can use conscious breathing techniques to literally ‘breathe life’ back into your… well… to ‘breathe life’ back into your life. We’ve known it for thousands  of years, and there’s a heap of research on this now.

It’s about 200-250 breaths from Manly Beach to Shelley Beach. Just like our friends the dolphins, when we are swimming, we are consciously involved in every single one of them.

This is undoubtedly one of the factors involved in that sense of expanded well being we gain from a decent ocean swim.

(click photos to expand…)

More about conscious breathing here.

With love,
Andrew Maher.

Gentle, Neuro-Structural Chiropractic Collaroy (mention you swim with B&B)

Stats:
Swimmers:  268
Newbees: 8
Water: 21.3 deg C

SUMMER SWIMS

As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, it seems appropriate to explain what it takes to earn a Summer badge. Three long distance swims are on offer:

• The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning at 7am until Feb.
• There is a 10 km swim once a month over summer. Next one in Feb.
• If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30or 7 am.

‘Try a Triple’.  Do the Manly to Shelley return swim 3 times non-stop and earn a triple badge.

Please note, Badges will be awarded to swimmers completing any and/or all of the 3 swims at the times and dates stated above and throughout the Summer months.

You will earn a badge if you complete these swims and log them in iLog. The system will only record authorised 6K or 10K swims that are logged on the appropriate days. Badges will be presented at the Summer Badge Ceremony in March. If you are unsure of the routes and protocols for these swims, please ask at the desk before you swim. When swimming these longer distances, we request that, for safety reasons, you stay with the group. We also request that you do not swim in dangerous conditions. The quest for a little cloth badge is not worth putting your life at risk. Enjoy your swimming.