At this year’s IAFC Conference, Steph Toogood and I will present a master class, entitled Tranquility & Turbulence.

Tranquility – calm, quiet, stillness, silence and harmony. Turbulence – commotion, turmoil, disorder and unrest. At various times in our lives we have all experienced these sensations. Like Yin & Yang and black & white, the two could not be more opposite. The natural world is characterized by the ebb and flow of tranquility and turbulence. One often follows the other, as Steph and I discovered on a recent trek to Crater Lake in southeastern Oregon.

Intense blue and placid beauty describes the natural wonder of Crater Lake. It is one of the deepest lakes in the world. Over five miles wide and ringed by cliffs rising 2,000 feet high, Crater Lake rests in the shattered remnants of a volcano called Mount Mazama. The lake was formed when the volcano erupted and collapsed into itself 7,700 years ago. Other eruptions followed and over time the caldera filled with rain and melted snow. Out of the turbulence of a volcanic eruption, the beauty and tranquility of Crater Lake was created. Now, you may be thinking, what does an outing to Crater Lake have to do with water exercise and aquatic fitness? Let me explain.

For Steph and I, the trip to Crater Lake was a reward for having worked a long weekend teaching and instructing at HYDRO-FIT’s West Coast Academy Weekend. The primary topic of discussion on the 3-hour drive to Crater Lake was what sessions we were planning to present at next year’s IAFC Conference. As veteran presenters, it is always a challenge to come up with new ideas and material each year. Water exercise and the previous weekend’s activities were still on our minds when we stepped into Crater Lake’s Visitor Center. At the very moment we stepped inside, as if our minds had suddenly melded together, we looked at each other and simultaneously said, “that’s it!” What we were referring to was the large banner on the wall directly in front of us. It read, “Tranquility from Turbulence, the Story of Crater Lake”.

It was a moment, and perhaps you had to be there, but quite a heated discussion ensued as Steph and I each laid claim to having spotted the banner first. You see, we both wanted to use the title as the name for a water workout presentation. It was perfect, it evoked the muscular effort & energy required to work against water’s powerful resistance i.e., turbulence. At the same time, it evoked the natural ease & calm one experiences being enveloped and supported by water’s comforting buoyancy i.e., tranquility. It was catchy, compelling, and it captured your attention.

As neither of us could come up with a strategy to win the argument, we decided a compromise was in order. We’d submit to present the session together, as co-presenters. The workout would encompass an interval-training format complimented by a mind-body-awareness focus. I would teach the high intensity training segments and Steph would teach the active recovery segments using her special flare for mindful movement. To our delight, our Crater Lake inspired workout was selected as a master class presentation at IAFC 2009.

It’s an unlikely journey from the majestic and serene wilderness of the Pacific Northwest to the theme-park hype of Orlando Florida. One thing is for sure - on a sunny day in May, in a pool in southwest Florida, a group of water fitness enthusiasts will gather together to celebrate the joy of aquatic fitness - creating a sea of tranquility in an ocean of turbulence. Perhaps you'll consider joining us. The conference is scheduled for May 12-16 in Orlando, FL. For more information, contact the Aquatic Exercise Association - aeawave.com

Craig's Teaching Schedule