Warm water therapy

It’s the latest rage across the country.

Ai Chi, pronounced Eye-ee (or just Eye) Chee, is a simple water exercise and relaxation program performed using a combination of deep breathing and slow, broad movements of the arms, legs, and torso in flowing continual patterns.

It is adapted from movements that are preformed in tai chi, and was created in Japan by Jun Konno in the early 1990s. Movements are slow and graceful and enhance relaxation skills, mental focus, and physical alignment while building strength, endurance and stability.

Instructor Sheila Pulver is starting an Ai Chi Aquatic Flowing Energy class at the Allen Goodall Physical Therapy and Aquatics Center, 1224 N. Idaho Street, Post Falls, in January.

The warm water pool is 90 degrees, the perfect temperature to aid muscle relaxation.

Ai Chi has been shown to be beneficial for overall general health including fibromyalgia, pain management, joint rehabilitation, high blood pressure and arthritis.

Reported benefits are a decrease in stress, insomnia and joint pain while increasing circulation, mental alertness, balance, mobility and overall blood circulation. Ai Chi can be practiced every day.

Pulver says participants work to be comfortable, not to the point of tension or pain. Ai Chi movements must flow, and equal force and speed are applied throughout the movements and the entire progression.

“Allowing my body to flow through the water is so relaxing that stress seems to melt away,” says Pulver.

Pulver says that people do not need to know how to swim and that the only prerequisite is that they enjoy the water.

Pulver’s connection to the water goes back to childhood. Originally from upstate New York, Pulver participated in water ballet as a child – now referred to as synchronized swimming. She was a junior lifeguard, and a lifeguard for handicapped children.

Pulver received her Open Water and Advanced Water Certification through the National Association of Underwater Instructors, University of California, Santa Barbara.

She is a certified Dive Master through Scuba Schools International, and has served as an assistant scuba instructor at the University of California. She has logged more than 3,000 dives and served as a dive master on numerous dives in California, Mexico, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Honduras, Belize and Grand Cayman.

Pulver still enjoys diving with husband, Ted, and logged several great dives in Kaui this past summer.

Pulver teaches aerobic water fitness classes at the pool and creatively incorporates movements from other sports like skating, skiing and judo in the routines.

“I have found that attending a morning class is a great way to start my day both physically and mentally,” Pulver said.

Pulver said she has more energy throughout the day, and has lost 30 pounds over the past two years.

She finds the warm water especially helpful for her knee, which was reconstructed several years ago after a skiing accident. Previously, she tried to get in shape by walking several miles only to suffer setbacks with the constant stress on her knees.

As an instructor, Pulver enjoys providing a safe and fun environment for anyone who wants to become more physically fit.

“I don’t believe in the ‘no pain, no gain’ theory,” says Pulver. “I believe that if you enjoy what you are doing and you’re not in pain, you’ll keep moving – that’s what’s important.”

Pulver has witnessed increased strength, mobility and balance among class members that attend regularly.

“Stress will decrease, and as an added bonus,” says Pulver, “you’ll sleep much better and have a brighter outlook on life.”