Total Immersion clinic

[dex]

I've just gotten home from the second day of a Total Immersion weekend clinic. I have to say that, for me, it was *SO* worth the price.

The filming (underwater) that the coaches do is so great for seeing what you're actually doing while swimming. (Even if being videotaped in a swim suit has to be every fat kid's nightmare.) At first, the coaches point out where you're having problems, but after awhile, you can see it almost instantly yourself. And better, you can picture it, and think about it, while you're in the water. Being able to see my legs sink whenever my eyes (and head) drifted forward instead of hanging down was exactly what I needed to help me correct it in the water.

I also learned that I *can* breathe bilaterally. I've always just taken breaths on one side, and never felt like I could go to the other side at all. I can. I just didn't know I could. I couldn't get my brain and my body coordinated for it at all.

The difference between my first filmed swim, and my final filmed swim was absolutely night and day. Most telling was that I went from 24 strokes down to 14 strokes per length. That's crazy. And I think I was actually faster. That's even more crazy. (Ok, crazy to me.)

I left the workshop feeling like I could actually become a *good* swimmer. With practice, of course. :p:)

I'm actually excited to practice the drills now. (Maybe that's the most crazy thing of all...heh.) Not because I love drills, but because I really got to see how the constant reinforcement of doing the drills makes such a huge difference in the actual swim stroke. (Not just for me, but for everyone there. The improvements were clearly visible for everyone.)

I'm so glad I decided to spend the money on this workshop. Two thumbs up, definitely. :D

[alpinerabbit]

:D smile - you're on camera...


do you feel they taught you anything about the actual catch/pull (underwater) phase of the stroke?

[dex]

do you feel they taught you anything about the actual catch/pull (underwater) phase of the stroke?

Oh, definitely.

We spent quite awhile talking about how to hold on to a place in the water and pull the body over it with the lats, instead of just using mostly the shoulder to try to power our hand and arm through the water. And a lot of work on the timing of that pull--not rushing it, keeping "patient" hands, avoiding "windmill arms" (which most of the group had, because almost all of us had learned to swim as kids from Red Cross swim instructors). We also used fistgloves, which looked incredibly silly, but were really helpful in giving a better feel for the water and actually increasing awareness of what was going on with the rest of the stroke by taking our hands out of the equation.

[Wahine]

Wow Dex!! I am so happy for you. That kind of stroke count drop is really great!! Keep it up and keep us up to date.

[NbyNW]

Cool! Thanks for sharing about the clinic -- been thinking I want to work on swimming this winter, and it's great to see a personal testimonial on the TI instruction. I've been intrigued by what I've read about them.

I went to a Mary Meyer clinic in September and haven't been able to make time to practice anything they taught me :(

I think I need to convince myself that the days are still really long.

[NbyNW]

So, after Dex's review I felt a bit more comfortable shelling out for one of the TI weekend workshops. And so glad I did!

I'M THE BIGGEST LOSER!!!!! :p My stroke count went from 28 to 17 . . .

I really liked how the drills have this cumulative goal of helping you to correct your form. And the weekend gave me lots of ideas for what I can do to really improve my swimming during the winter.

It is SO valuable to be able to see video of yourself swimming . . . helps immediately reinforce what you learn in the pool!

[dex]

Awesome! It's so good to hear that someone else had a similarly great experience with them. (And isn't the Pro club just ridiculously posh--and huge--for a friggin' gym??)

I was the biggest loser in my group, too! Hah! Just more proof that TE ladies rock...or at the very least, we're really good students. :p:D

[eclectic]

WOW congratulations on the good swim weekends!

A few questions so I can see where I am at - I will count tomorrow the same way you do

When you count your strokes per length A. are you counting in a 25 meter, 25 yard or 50 meter pool?
B. Do you count every left arm stroke (or vice versa) or right AND left.
I count just to pass the time and keep a cadence but I think I count every arm pull (right and left.) My coach says to count strokes and I never thought to ask what I should be counting :p

I see she has one of those fancy dancy underwater cams too. I may have her film me in Feb after things slow down with her other coaching.

OK call me crazy - I really LIKE drills - No matter how much I swim it seems my form gets thrown off. we do 2-300 yds then some drills then 2-300 yards more - I am ALWAYS better after I do the drills - especially my body roll

Keep up the good work everybody! and you are right TE girls ROCK!

[alpinerabbit]

every arm, right and left. 14 would be in a 25m/yd pool (would be nightmarish in a 50).

[eclectic]

every arm, right and left. 14 would be in a 25m/yd pool (would be nightmarish in a 50).

WOW now that I have a concept 14 is AWESOME ! ! ! !

OK I will count tomorrow but I know I am a weinie compared to that (I have a VERY bad kick - I am a breast stroker first NOT a free stylist)

[eclectic]

I counted to day - I am all over the place - anywhere from 15 - 19 totally depending on how hard I feel like kicking and how hard I kicked off the wall.

barely kicking I am at 19 w/o a wall kick, steady strong kick with a turn 14-15

I counted my breast stroke - I am at 11-12 for that and my time isn't much slower than a careful freestyle :p

I am glad you posted - it helps keep me aware (my coach tells me but I have little to compare to)