Unlock Your Swimming Potential: Start with the Right Breathing Technique
If you learn to swim by holding your breath, you will be teaching yourself to associate being in the water with tension and panic.
Why is learning to swim underwater, holding your breath, a bad idea? It has to do with how your brain learns. Every time you learn something new, your brain makes habits and pathways. If you learn to swim by holding your breath, you will be teaching yourself to associate being in the water with tension and panic. Keeping your mouth closed to hold your breath makes your face and throat tense, which makes it harder to breathe and can lead to choking. Also, while you hold your breath, carbon dioxide increases in your body, causing your brain to react with panic.
Instead of holding your breath, learn to exhale smoothly underwater. Blowing bubbles keeps your face and airway relaxed, making it easier to breathe and no feeling of panic in your system. Exhaling helps your body rid itself of carbon dioxide so that you can stay calm and comfortable in the water.
It's very important to begin with good habits. Proper exhalation sets you up for success and prevents you from ever having to break bad habits later on. That approach to learning creates a positive and confident foundation in your swimming.
Is it okay to cry when you learn something new?
Learning something new can be tough, and it's perfectly okay to feel a bit overwhelmed or even shed a tear. After all, when we're upset – especially young kids who might not have all the words yet – crying can be their way of saying, "I need a little help here."
Learning something new can be tough, and it's perfectly okay to feel a bit overwhelmed or even shed a tear. After all, when we're upset – especially young kids who might not have all the words yet – crying can be their way of saying, "I need a little help here."
So, let's acknowledge those feelings and turn things around with some positive vibes:
* A calming song can work wonders to soothe those frazzled nerves.
* Explain what's happening in simple terms and offer reassurance that everything's going to be alright.
* Break down the new skill into easy-to-follow steps. As they start to understand and gain control, that sense of accomplishment will shine through.
Remember, constantly rescuing someone from challenges doesn't teach them the grit and determination they need to navigate life's ups and downs. Whether it's in the pool or facing everyday hurdles, building that inner strength is key.
Techniques I use for anxiety
Who knew those little blocks could have so much power? I started using blocks in my swim lessons 6 years ago, and they've been a game-changer! Before that, I was always searching for something to help my swimmers visualize their progress.
Legos! Legos! Legos!
Who knew those little blocks could have so much power? I started using blocks in my swim lessons 6 years ago, and they've been a game-changer! Before that, I was always searching for something to help my swimmers visualize their progress.
You might have seen me with my stacks of blocks. Sometimes it's a group effort to move 10, sometimes each kid has their own stack of 5, and sometimes they just want to build towers! There are reasons for the different ways I use them, but ultimately, I'm giving the swimmer control of the pace of the lesson.
Each stack represents the skill we're working on. The kids know that once the stack is gone, we move on to the next skill. This can be exciting because they might not love what they're doing, or nerve-wracking because they want to know what's next. Either way, they know where we are in the lesson.
That's exactly why I continue to emphasize the blocks. It's a concrete way for me to tell the swimmer to stay focused on the task at hand, not to look ahead or dwell on what's already happened.