A New Approach to Overcoming Frustration in the Pool
The name “Intuitive Swimming” was actually suggested by my sister-in-law. When I told her about my plans to create a new approach to swimming for frustrated swimmers, it just clicked.
As a once-frustrated swimmer myself, I knew all too well the struggles many face when trying to improve their swimming. For years—decades, even—I wrestled with swimming, particularly Crawl/Freestyle. I would get determined to figure out what was wrong, only to give up in frustration. Time after time, I’d return to the pool, but the same problems always resurfaced:
- Barely being able to swim a length without stopping
- Struggling to breathe properly
- Sinking, swallowing water, and constantly being overtaken
Despite countless lessons, endless advice, and hours of watching YouTube tutorials, I still couldn’t seem to improve.
I didn’t know what was wrong.
Whenever I had a lesson, I would try to mimic the instructor. They looked so graceful—everything seemed effortless for them. But no matter how hard I tried to copy their movements, it didn’t help.
My swimming remained rushed, ragged, and untidy.
Asking fellow swimmers for advice yielded little more than tips and quick fixes. They’d swear that this one trick would change everything. I’d get my hopes up, but it never worked.
Watching others on YouTube didn’t help either. Those swimmers looked so at ease, as though they had all the time in the world. My mind, however, was frantic—overwhelmed by all the things I was supposed to do with my arms, legs, hands, head, and more. To make matters worse, there were so many conflicting opinions.
I knew something was missing.
It wasn’t just about technique—there was something deeper I needed to understand.
In the end, I decided to stop relying on others to tell me what that missing piece was.
Two Key Changes
Two pivotal events changed everything for me:
- My workplace relocated to a building with a swimming pool in the basement.
- I qualified as an Alexander Technique teacher after years of study at a school that took an unconventional approach to the method.
With daily access to a nearly empty pool, I finally had the opportunity to tackle my swimming struggles once and for all. As an Alexander Technique teacher, I was already skilled at helping people change how they move—and think about movement. Now, it was time to apply these principles to my own swimming.
I started swimming twice a day, five days a week, for almost two years (with the occasional break for work outings and training evenings). But instead of practising harder or copying others, I used the principles of the Alexander Technique to change my approach.
Through observation, experimentation, and investigation, I became the answer to all my swimming questions. I discovered what was really behind my struggles and began adapting my technique to work for me. Over time, I developed my own unique swimming style.
Falling in Love with Swimming
I went from resenting swimming to absolutely loving it—every single stroke and kick.
Eventually, I began helping others in the pool, from beginners to open-water swimmers. Now, I teach my unique approach online. As someone who once struggled with nearly every swimming problem imaginable, I can truly relate to those frustrations—and I know how to overcome them.
The Intuitive Swimming Method
I have big dreams for the Intuitive Swimming Method. My goal is to empower frustrated and aspiring swimmers to solve their own swimming problems—not by “fixing” their technique, but by deepening their understanding of swimming.
It turns out that this understanding was the missing piece in my own swimming journey.
Using the principles of the Alexander Technique, I help swimmers rethink how they move, both in and out of the water. This new understanding transforms their swimming experience.
I even have a hashtag: #understandingvstechnique
Subscribe to my mailing list to find out more about Intuitive Swimming and watch my free webinar. At the end of the webinar, there’s a chance to book a free 1:1 Swimming Style Health Check Zoom call with me.
If you want to dive deep into your swimming understanding, I have an affordable, fully self-paced course, with my unique approach to Alexander Technique.
Come & build a community of like-minded swimmers who want to solve their swimming struggles, swim mindfully & fall in love with swimming.
Main – Photo by Edz Norton on Unsplash
