Why We Swim* by Bonnie Tsui (Chapter 14)
Nihon Eiho Samurai Swimming
- for survival
- for religion (Shinto)
- for fighting
- for competition
- for strength of mind & body
It's about the mind like water. It’s tai chi in water
About the Book: Humans, unlike other animals that are drawn to water, are not natural-born swimmers. We must be taught. Our evolutionary ancestors learned for survival; now in the 21st century, we swim in freezing Arctic waters and piranha-infested rivers to test our limits. Swimming is an introspective and silent sport in a chaotic and noisy age; it’s therapeutic for both the mind and body; and it's an adventurous way to get from point A to point B. It's also one route to that elusive, ecstatic state of flow. These reasons, among many others, make swimming one of the most popular activities in the world. Chapter 14 is fascinating and deals with Nihon Eiho.