Me And My Ski
Poles!
Walking with ski poles ?
No way - I'm not going to have people looking at me like I'm weird!
But, here I am, a convert. After
being introduced to the concept by the good folks at Walker House (and my
husband) I checked it out on the net -
According to write-ups about it, 'The logic is simple: Normal walking utilizes muscles in the lower
half of the body while pole walking is a whole-body activity that uses muscles
in the back, arms, shoulders and neck.' After reading about all of its other
benefits, I invested in a pair of brand
new shiny ski poles and headed down to the waterfront the next day to join up with the 'Chicks With
Sticks' group. With a little guidance
in adjusting the height of the sticks and some advice on how to use them
properly, I was off! Now, I try to get out on my own as many days
as possible for a 'ski' down the highways and bi-ways of Prescott. On one of my walks, I was feeling just a
little self-conscious as I veered to the left to pass a middle-aged man out
walking his dog:
"Doing a
bit of urban poling, eh?" he
remarked. Urban poling? Why.... yes!
That's exactly what I was doing - not just out walking with a pair of
ski poles; I suddenly felt very trendy,
indeed!
I must remember that phrase for a time in
the future when my trendy ski poles get replaced by a very necessary cane(s). Getting feeble? Not I - I'll simply be out urban poling!
As for the psychological and spiritual benefits:
I'm off
With my poles
For a walk
And a think;
With a bottle
Of water
For these lips
To drink,
I'll gather new thoughts
For this old brain
To link
To the people I pass
And the wonders
That wink
At my deep contemplation;
I'll treasure each link
In the chain of my think,
I'll sweat with the small stuff
And feel my cares
Shrink!
