Diving into Serenity: Tales from the Falk Pool
Entering the Falk Recreation Center swimming pool allows one to leave the busy thoughts of the day behind, even if momentarily. You breathe deeply, filling your lungs with air as you immerse your body in the water. And whether your goal is to complete a lap (two lengths of the pool) or to swim a mile, you leave the pool with a sense of satisfaction. You feel a beneficial exhaustion in which your body is exercised, and the stress of the workday is gone.
Longtime morning swimmer, Nancy Glassman, demonstrates the zen of swimming.
But there’s more to be gained from time in the pool than completing laps. Exercise goals aside, the tranquil water allows one to float like rootless duckweed and let go of outside distractions, allowing your mind to drift wherever it pleases. Many members of the Einstein community use the Falk pool regularly, each for their own reasons and each reaping benefits that keep them seeking the solace of a swim.
Among the Pool’s Earliest Swimmers
Dr. Julie Hoffman, class of 1990, began swimming in the Falk pool as a first-year, the year the pool opened in 1987.
Dr. Julie Hoffman (Class of 1990) began swimming laps at the Falk Center as an Einstein medical student, in 1987 as the pool opened during her first year. She has been swimming laps there ever since. Now an infectious diseases physician at Jacobi, swimming at Falk remains a part of her exercise routine.
“When I started first year, I initially swam at a pool in the basement of the Nurses Residence at Jacobi,” recalled Julie. “I remember it was lit by a single light with murky water that reminded me of the shark tank at the Coney Island aquarium. I only swam a few times there because it was terrifying.”
She added, “I was rescued by the opening of the Falk pool later that year.”
A California native, Julie learned to swim in the backyard pools of Southern California and in the Pacific Ocean.
She now swims miles of laps several times per week, in the morning. “Swimming is my meditation time,” she said. “I can imagine I’m in the ocean, swimming in its borderless water.”
She has shared the Falk swimming pool with many others at Einstein throughout the decades. Among them, she recalled Oliver Sacks, the famous neurologist and writer, was among the earliest pool swimmers who enjoyed leisure time in the pool.
Good Physical Therapy
Nancy Glassman, assistant director of Einstein’s D. Samuel Gottesman Library, has been an Einstein swimmer for almost 30 years. As a native New Yorker born in Queens, she started swimming at Coney Island as a child. Even after her family moved, she never abandoned swimming. It not only brought her joy but also proved helpful later in life.
An injury to her foot during her college years initially brought Nancy back to the swimming pool. More recently, following her doctor’s recommendation after a back injury, she added deep-water running to her pool workout. She became a more regular swimmer when she discovered that doing so helped alleviate her back pain.
Since coming to Einstein in 1992, Nancy has found a haven in the Falk swimming pool. She enjoys her morning time in the water, where external sounds melt away as she swims slowly, feeling carefree and peaceful. “Swimming clears my mind and refreshes me,” she said.
Forming Friendships
Nancy also met Dr. Xiaonan Xue, professor of epidemiology & population health, while taking classes at Falk. The two have become swimming companions, typically swimming side by side in adjoining lanes as they complete their morning laps.
“We would email one another, motivating each other to swim,” recalled Nancy.
While each temporarily stopped swimming during the COVID-19 pandemic, once the pool opened, they encouraged one another to return to their normal swimming routine.
I was very grateful to be able to jump into the pool,” said Xiaonan. “It was lifesaving to me because it not only relieved the stress from the pandemic but also provided hope that things would be back to normal.”
Acquiring a New Skill
James Newkirk works as a nursing coordinator at Jacobi Hospital and has now been swimming in the Falk Center swimming pool for two years. His initial interest in swimming was sparked by his wife.
Although he enjoyed various outdoor activities with his wife, including cycling and canoeing, before 2022, James didn’t know how to swim. One day, while they were canoeing on a river, she asked him, “What if both of us fell into the water?” He recalled, “That made me realize that at least one of us should have this life-saving skill.”
He started going to Falk, where he taught himself to swim. “Thanks to my wife’s question, I now enjoy taking a swim after work while she takes her daily walk near our home.” In addition to learning a life-saving skill, James likes having swimming as part of his workout routine. “I swim four days a week and then have dinner with my wife at home.”
Sharing Passion and Know-How
Falk lifeguard Francine “Sissy” Mahoney, places props in the water as part of her swimming instruction to help students focus on important processes like stroke or breathing.
Francine Mahoney has been a lifeguard at the Falk swimming pool for the past 23 years ang began lifeguarding as a teenager in the Bronx. Hailing from a family with a lifeguarding tradition, she started swimming at the age of 5 and developed a deep passion for the sport.
“I get immense joy from my work as a lifeguard and swimming instructor,” she said. “I’m on a mission to address the fact that many Americans don’t know how to swim due to a fear of water. Whenever I can, I share my knowledge.”
She added, “I also share the many benefits of being able to swim offers, like finding calmness, improving flexibility, and building muscle strength.”
Falk Center members can sign up for lessons with Francine, who also is known by the nickname Cissie, and can inquire at the front desk for details. They also can take advantage of a non-swimming exercise class, Aquafit, offered on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. by Falk instructor MK.
Posted on: Thursday, November 09, 2023