Customer Reviews (3)

Swimming Instruction
I was not happy with this book.I had hoped to get a book to help me teach my children to swim.This book was mainly philosophy about the YMCA with VERY little information on steps to teach a child to swim.It was not helpful at all.

A Book Designed for a Swim Class
I was teaching a child how to swim and bought this book as a guide for what to teach.I did not find this book helpful though, as most of the games and activities are geared for a YMCA swim course with many students.The book teaches the reader how to be an instructor for the YMCA.The material in the last two chapters, which explained swim strokes, was the only information that I found somewhat useful.

how to....
I bought this book from eHow.com and using the combined efforts of the book, and eHow, I managed to teach my three girls all to swim on their own.I really recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description
Now that you've mastered the basics of swimming, continue your steps to success with Advanced Swimming: Steps to Success. This second-level swimming book combines the knowledge and experience of master teacher David Thomas with the latest research on learning and teaching swimming.

Advanced Swimming: Steps to Success is a breakthrough in sport skill instruction through its development of complete learning progressions--the steps to success. These 18 steps

• take you through the evolution of various swimming strokes,

• review and improve your crawl and breaststroke,

• introduce the new competitive back and butterfly strokes,

• present the competitive turns, and

• introduce you to the nontraditional world of "watermanship"--mastery of the aquatic element.

Like its predecessor, Swimming: Steps to Success, each step

• explains why the concept or skill is important,

• identifies the keys to proper technique,

• helps you correct common errors,

• explains how to practice each skill in realistic ways,

• lists specific performance goals for each drill,

• gives you a summary checklist for evaluating proper technique, and

• lets you proceed at your own pace.

With Advanced Swimming: Steps to Success, you will bring your strokes up to competitive standards as well as prepare yourself for a lifetime of swimming enjoyment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Poorly illustrated. Not very helpful.
I bought this book to improve my crawl stroke and to learn butterfly. This book does not help me.

The book, 8.5x11, 159 pages, has 18 chapters ("steps"). Just to give an example, the butterfly stroke occupies4 chapters (the dolphin kick, the arm pull, the coordination, and theturn). In all these chapters there isn't a single series of completeillustration. All the figures only show this or that segment of the wholeprocess.

What's more, the drawings in the butterfly section don't evenmatch the cover photo. The same poor quality illustration is all over thebook.

If you need a book to tell you how to swim like a professional, Iwould recommend one with actual photos (instead of drawings) of bothfrontal and side view. "Competitive Swimming" (from SportsIllustrated) is a better book in this sense. If you are already a pro, thefinal chaptor "whatermanship" may interest you. It shows how dodo a few fun water games, like, forming a multiperson centipede...

Good diagramatic approach book
A good book if this is you are looking for a simple to understand basic book. Frankly like many other sports, you cannot just swim by looking at the pictures. I wish the book has more step-by-step pictures.

Very detailed on how you go about swimming!
It showed you the understanting of swimming.It motivated me to be an excellent swimmer.

Good efficient program,improved my speed and stamina.
Good pictures, good directions, good systems of instructions. It corrected my bad habits. IT IS WORTH IT. ... Read more

Book Description
The Complete Diving Guides to scuba diving in the Eastern Caribbean, including descriptions of ALL dive sites, dive stores and operators. Island maps show the location of dive sites and stores. Dive sites are illustrated by underwater maps and photographs.

Volume 1 gives you everything you ever need to know about scuba diving on these fantastic Caribbean islands: Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Grenada, Tobago & Barbados. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great Reference Guide
A very good book.Picked it up to check it out and was impressed at how comprehensive it is in regards to specific dives spots and charter outfits.I thought it was so useful that I am trying to find Volume 2.

A bit of a let down
Earlier dive guides I have used have come from the Globetrotter series - who do not have a guide for Barbados, which is what I was looking for. Coming to the "Complete Diving Guide" after the high standards of Globetrotter is something of a disappointment. There is nothing wrong with the book in terms of the content it is providing - it gives information on the sites, some (though by no means all) dive schools, and a little background on the islands. However, the writing style is very narrative - think "what I did on my diving holiday this summer" type essays. The presentation is also a bit dated. It is not a bad guide by any means, but if Globetrotter do get around to publishing on the area, it is almost certain to be a better bet.

winston reed
July 2001 I dove several of the sites reviewed by ms Ryanand Mr Savage
and found their profiles of the dives to be very accurate and
helpful.I hope she and Brian Savage will do a "complete
DG of the Bahamas,I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Needs more vacation details
I found this guide pleasant to look through, but not half as helpful as Best Dives of the Caribbean by Hunter Publishing, which gives a lot more detail on the dive sites, places for kids to snorkel, hotels and everything I need to plan a vacation.

This is the book the Experts Use.
It is always interesting to see which books are used by the local Dive Guides at the sharp end and this is how I was first introduced to this particular book just over three years ago in Grenada. Since then I have put it to good use on a number of assignments in the Caribbean and I have yet to find it lacking in any way.

The opening introductory chapter is well written and includes plenty of general information on diving, facilities, climate, sea, regulations, boats, cruise liners, resorts, hotels, flora, fauna, shipwrecks, photography and safety.The book then commences with Dominica in the north and moves southwards to include Martinique, St. Lucia,St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Tobago and Barbados before concluding with a Glossary, Bibliography and Accident and Emergency Information.

The relatively few photographs are all of a good quality - but this is book that concentrates on providing all the relevant and peripheral information that any Scuba Diver will want to know before and during a trip to any of the Caribbean Islands covered.The maps and diagrams are particularly useful - and very easy to follow insitu.

On first sight, however, the book cover lacks impact and might easily be overlooked as the prospective purchaser gets side-tracked by something a little more flashy.Do not be tempted away from this one - it is a straight forward, no nonsense guide containing everything you will want to know.

Altogether, almost 400 pages packed with information - although that does include a small number of one-page advertisements.

In summary, any book claiming to be "A Complete Guide" has to include an awful lot of information.This one has achieved just that and will not disappoint the purchaser.

NM

... Read more

Book Description
Improve your times by improving your technique! Whether youare a competitive swimmer, coach, triathlete, or dedicated fitnessenthusiast, The Swimming Drill Book will propel you to betterresults by maximizing efficiency in the water.

With 128 highly effective drills, expert instruction, and more than 375detailed illustrations, this comprehensive resource will help to improveevery facet of your swimming.

Establish a greater sense of balance and position in the water; maintainperfect form for the freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly; and master the techniques for starts, turns,and finishes. Use the drills individually or create a personalized programbased on your goals and fitness level. Either way, the tools you need arewithin your grasp.

Dive into The Swimming Drill Book and see fast results! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

For drill swimming
I purchased this book thinking it would help me with my adult learn-to-swim classes.It did in a round about way.I would purchase this book only if your into drill swimming and need help with the basics.

GREAT BOOK
THIS IS A GREAT BOOK TO ASSIST THE BEGINNER TO ADVANCED SWIMMER. FANTASTIC FOR THE SWIM TEAM STUDENT TRYING TO IMPROVE STROKE PERFORMANCE.

Swimming Drills for technique improvement that worksfor you
The Swimming Drill Book
This book is well written and illustrated.There are easy to practise drills wich state 1) the purpose of the drill, 2) the procedure to follow and 3) the focus points to concentrate on to achieve body position. The author has covered the four swimming strokes, the starts, turns and finishes in an easy to cognitively assimulate style of writing. Overall if you wish to improve your swimming strokes the practise drills in this book will aid your endevours, all you need is to practise, practise and then practise.

The Swimming Drill Book
This book is quite good for a review of the majority of strokes - great help to coaches and swimmers. It cover's about 90% of all the drills I have ever seen in my swimming lifetime.

very comprehensive!!!
it's really useful and well designed, with very clear images...
you need it to improve your swimming technique... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

on counsilman
i teach swimming to adults and have found this book the best adjunct to myinstructions...counsilman keeps it simple and understandable to novices andhis techniques have survived the test of time...i highly recommend thisbook to beginners and to instructors to give to their students..it helpsstudents to better understand the basic principles of swimming...sam wein ... Read more

Amazon.com
Ron O'Brien, head coach of the U.S. Olympic team since 1972, has produced more champions and coached more Olympic, World and Pan-American teams than any other coach in diving history.In 1982 his divers won all four World Championship gold medals, and in 1984 and 1988 he coached Greg Louganis to back-to-back double gold medals.Now he shares his diving and coaching expertise in this book, which emphasizes the basic skills for the 1- and 3- meter springboards and the 5-, 7.5-, and 10-meter platforms.It also shows the author's ground-breaking formula for constructing the proper forward approach.This is the book forbeginning divers who want to be champions.Book Description
Learn diving from the world's premier diving coach.

Ron O'Brien, head coach of the U.S. Olympic team since 1972, has produced more champions and coached more Olympic, World, and Pan American teams than any other coach in diving history. In 1982 his divers won all four World Championship gold medals--an achievement that no other coach has equaled. In 1984 and 1988, under O'Brien's coaching, Greg Louganis won four Olympic gold medals, accomplishing the rare feat of back-to-back double gold medals. His divers have won more than 350 medals in national and international competitions.

After honoring Ron O'Brien as Outstanding Coach of the Year every year from 1979 to 1988, U.S. Diving named him its first national technical director. O'Brien is also director of diving for the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

O'Brien is renowned not only as a coach, but also as a diver. A two-time national champion himself, O'Brien was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1988.

Now O'Brien's experience and expertise are available to you. Ron O'Brien's Diving for Gold contains the comprehensive information that divers need to develop from beginners into champions. The book emphasizes the basic skills for the 1- and 3-meter springboards and the 5-, 7-1/2-, and 10-meter platforms.

Ron O'Brien's Diving for Gold also shows you the author's ground-breaking formula for constructing the forward approach. This formula will help divers of all sizes and abilities create approaches like the champions.

Get an inside look at what makes dives work in Ron O'Brien's Diving for Gold--the book for divers and their coaches. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A must for every diver and coach
Terrific fundamentals and explainations.My only question is about the teaching of back twisters which he shows in a different way in his videos.Most coaches teach the way in the videos, and most top divers do it that way.A terrific reference for the experienced and beginning coach.I've coached divers at all levels for 25 years and I still use it as a reference.

Have you ever not known what to tell your diver?
Well, if you answered yes then purchase this book. Even though it is written on an elementary level, Ron O'brien has the credentials to back even the most simple explanations of the sport.It is great for a beginneras well as an experienced coach because it shows the perspective of a trueexpert.I know from my own experience that diving coaches think they knoweverything, but if they took the time to study the sport on the mostelementary level their divers will certainly benefit.

Have you ever not known what to tell your diver?
Well, if you answered yes then purchase this book. Even though it is written on an elementary level, Ron O'brien has the credentials to back even the most simple explanations of the sport.It is great for a beginneras well as an experienced coach because it shows the perspective of a trueexpert.I know from my own experience that diving coaches think they knoweverything, but if they took the time to study the sport on the mostelementary level their divers will certainly benefit.

great, but I didn't read it.
I wanted to read, so just read and I wanted to find imformation for my reseach, but I couldn't read this. If I want to read this book on internet, then what i should do.. tell me, please. ... Read more

Book Description
Improve your fitness level, achieve your swimming goals, andmaximize your workouts with the help of four-time Olympic gold medalistJanet Evans!

Whether you have been swimming laps for years, want to get back into thewater, or have a competitive streak for masters meets or triathlons,Janet Evans' Total Swimming has you covered.

A total of 60 workouts and 12 progressive programs allow you to tailor yourswim sessions by distance, intensity, and goal. The gold-medal informationalso details proper stroke technique, advantages of various gear, conceptssuch as interval sets and training phases, and making each workout moreproductive by stretching, building core strength, warming up, and coolingdown.

So dive into Janet Evans' Total Swimming and begin training with oneof swimming's all-time legends. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A great swimming book
I find Evans book a very good and practical one. It doesn't go into the details of swimming propulsion, lift forces, drag forces, vortex propulsion and all the other stuff, that quite frankly never helped me much.

From the basics or swimming essentials all the way to the programs, it is an extremely good book and a great read.If you don't have a coach, this book is a MUST.

I really like the "Programs". You can see and feel they are written in great detail and expertise ...well by Janet Evans!!! Thank you Janet.

I highly recommend this book to any swimmer.

Solid effort, good references, great workouts and project management oriented
The book is a solid effort and a good reference manual for a newer swimmer such as a triathlete or a beginning masters swimmer.

The book is divided into three sections, Swim Essentials, Workouts and Programs. The first section is primarily swim basics, equipment, technique and turns. The programs section is very "project management" oriented which is great for someone swimming on their own for a triathlon or supplement to a coached workout. The workouts section is segmented into varying degrees of difficulty and it was this section I was interested in. (But enough about my problems.)

What impressed me most was Evans sticking a stake into heart of the 'low stroke count equals faster swimmer theory' with Janet Evans eloquently stating the following:

"The focus on swim training is often on lowering stroke count to increase speed, and that tactic is solid as long as efficiency is not lost. My stroke count was quite high--about 40 strokes per 50 meters compared with 25 for the larger swimmers--but my strong pull and push underwater and rapid tempo combined to create an efficient stroke that earned me a gold medal against larger swimmers in that 400-meter freestyle race." -- Janet Evans

If you are looking for a book that contains the "dark arts of swimming" with data never before expressed, it is not quite that but rather a reference book, a fitness guide, and on how to progress as a swimmer from slow lane to fast lane.
... Read more

Book Description
Originally published in the early 1900s, this is an early book on swimming strokes, drills and games and contains much of practical information and use to today's reader. "Besides being comprehensive, this book includes many original features: strokes are clearly classified, there are new fancy swimming feats, and an original series of landdrills have been included. Finally there is a chapter which completes in detail this first season's work for any bather." Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Pressare republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.Contents Include: Bathing and Swimming - Swimming and Health - Beginning - Learning on Land - The Six Strokes - Other Strokes - The Use of the Strokes - Bathing Advice - Swimming Movements - Floating - Surface Diving - Life-Saving - Sea Bathing - Children Like Bathing - Women and Swimming - Training - Style - Water Polo - Diving - Games for Swimmers - Fancy and Scientific Swimming - Swimming Tests - Swimming in Two Days - A Course of Swimming - Finally ... Read more

Book Description
This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature. ... Read more

Book Description
Swimming is one of the best, most enjoyable, and most effective forms of exercise available, and this is the classic guide for beginners and expert swimmers alike, completely revised and updated for the '90s.



B & W line drawings throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

dont go without it
This book by jane katz is awesome and is flexible both for use of professionals trying to sharpen performance etc or the beginner with just the basic knowledge on the skill. I would definetely recommend it to anyone interested in making themselves fitter,faster and swim smart.

Best ever!
I have carried this book around with me for weeks, have been swimming laps since late June.Lost 8 lbs (so far and today is Sept 14).Don't believe those websites that say swimming laps does not burn fat.I have lost 2 inches of fat just from my waist and 2 inches from my back.... SO, get this book, read it and get in the pool!Swimming is great for the body AND the mind... (-;

Excellent Confidence Builder
Excellent book for those of us adults who are timid about the water, but want to learn how to swim.I especially like how she has you practice exercises on land 1st, then apply them in the water.It gave me so much more confidence when I approached the pool.And I also recommend the "swimmers shape-up" exercises early on like she introduced as I found they really helped keep my muscles loosened up and avoid undue muscle soreness and stiffness after swimming.I also like that she doesn't assume the simple things come naturally (ie., even how to wipe the water from your face).I look forward to seeing how far along I can get with her progressive fitness programs at the end of the book once I'm comfortable with all 10 swimming lessons.

Great inspiration - - discover the joy of the sport!
I bought this because I wanted a better understanding of swimming as a sport.I had learned the skill of swimming like most people do in their youth, but since I wasn't very interested in or good at sports my learning stopped as soon as lessons did.In adulthood I rediscovered the joy of swimming and I wondered how I could develop more sophisticated skills.I also wondered how "real" swimmers think and feel about their sport and how they go about their training: what challenges them, what kind of routines do they use.
This book was perfect for me.The author began with the absolute fundamentals of having a relationship to the water and went on to suggest basic routines for the beginner like me.She then took her descriptions to routines for those on the advanced competitive level.I liked being able to see where a more talented person could and would go which is in itself very interesting even though I'll never reach that level; this insight puts my own beinning work into perspective.
After reading this book I was inspired to swim and continue improving my routines.I would never need another book on this subject after this one, it's that all-encompassing for the amateur.

fewer injuries, more joy
After years of aerobic dance, running, and weight lifting, I wanted to find an aerobic activity that was less injury-prone. I turned to swimming, and found it to be the perfect alternative.An avid childhood swimmer, I just needed some tips for refining my technique--it wasn't until I picked up this book that I discovered that my breathing technique was all wrong! I also liked the ideas for progressively more intense workouts that went beyond just endless laps.This book gave me all that and more--I'm now doing flip turns and as Katz says, my joi de vivre now includes joi de l'eau! ... Read more

Book Description
From novelty tricks in swim classes, through the Aquacades and movies, to the highly complex Olympic competitions—this history of synchronized swimming tells how the sport grew, examines the role the United States has played in its worldwide development, and describes the status of synchronized swimming in world sporting events today.

Among the topics covered are competition development, development around the United States, rules and technical changes, and leadership (from volunteers to a National Office). Four appendices list major award winners, U.S. National Champions, the results of major international competitions, and U.S. participation in international events. The work boasts photographs from the first trial national competition in 1942 to the World Championships of 2003, as well as a full bibliography. ... Read more

Book Description
Competitive swimmers know that even minor flaws in stroke technique can mean the difference between first and last place. Swimming Drills for Every Stroke gives swimmers the edge.

Author Ruben Guzman presents 91 essential drills for reaching perfect form in the backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, and butterfly. Accompanied by helpful coaching tips and focus points, these drills enable swimmers to develop more efficient technique for faster times in every event.

Swimming coaches and swimmers at all developmental levels can use this handbook for all four strokes as well as for starts and turns. Swimming Drills for Every Stroke will make practices more productive and competitions more successful. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Swimming Drills for every Stroke by Ruben J. Guzman.
I learn swimming from The Total Immersion way(I bought books and DVDs and I was impressed.)I learned that all streamline, body rotaion etc....but I don't know the strokes well. Then I went to library to borrow this book.It helped me a lots.Basiclly the author's concept is pretty match to the TI way and he gave more details on the drills.Anyway, I like this book very much.So I bought the book and fellow the drills for my every day swimming.

Excellent
This book herlped me in teaching swimming lessons and being a swim team coach.

A great beginning swimming book
I was looking for a book for me to use to help teach my kids (5&7) to swim the various strokes.This book is absolutely perfect.It breaks down each stroke into individual components and allows your child to practice each portion before putting all the pieces together and swim the "real" stroke.I was trying for weeks to help my 7 year old with her breast stroke, then I got this book and saw a dramatic improvement in just one lesson.This book is perfect for a parent or a coach to help teach beginning swimmers how to correctly swim each stroke.

One piece of advice.Your child will never learn to swim well by doing lap after lap.They need specific instruction on how to execute each stroke, otherwise they will just reinforce bad habits.

One more thing, the other book I have is Total Immersion, which I think is great.However, you need a book like Guzman's to get the basics of each swimming stroke.I do some of the drills in TI, but I need Guzman too.Plus, TI only talks about freestyle.

Old fashioned
This books seems to be directed at beginning swimmers.It's too basic for more experienced swimmers.Addtionally, many of the drills seem a bit dated.I may be a little biased since I am an advocate of the the Total Immersion style of swimming.

Too Basic for the Common Coach
Though fundamentally strong, this book is extremely simplistic.Anyone who considers themselves a somewhat experienced coach should bypass this title and begin looking elsewhere for a decent drill guide/idea book. ... Read more

Amazon.com
This may not be the snappy tome you take with you to read on vacation, but if you have and maintain a swimming pool, it's a book you will want to have handy. It covers the basic construction of pools of all kinds, cleaning routines, water chemistry and treatment, simple repairs, caring for hot tubs and spas, and even pool safety. Also included are tips on water and energy conservation, a glossary of terms, and a thorough index for quick reference. If you own a swimming pool, you should own this book. --Mark HettsBook Description
This new edition completely demystifies pool systems and their care. Readers will learn how to select and care for pool components and how to establish easy cleaning and maintenance routines. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Not for Above Ground Pool Owners
This is very thorough for in ground pools, but has little to do with above ground and certainly knows nothing about winterizing in the Norhteast.

Excellent for selecting and maintaining a pool
This is a book for people who know nothing about swimming pools and who are thinking of getting one or who need to maintain an existing pool.

The book starts with some basics - the types of pools that exist, water characteristics and treatment - and continues to explain the equipment that comes with a pool. This includes filtration systems, pumps and motors etc. The book closes discussing winterizing and opening up the pool as well as faces-lifts repairs etc. Of course, there is also a chapter on pool-safety.

I really liked the book, as it was well-written (easy to read) and seemed to cover all the essentials, getting me knowledgeable enough to handle the pool in my garden. The book is full of illustrations that help to explain the workings of the different parts that come with a pool.

As the book at every stage discusses the various types of pools and equipment that exist, the book can also be a real help when trying to decide what kind of pool to get.

So, if you are a pool-beginner (pro will need a different level), get this book! The cost are negligeable to those that you can incur from miss-managing your pool.

Excellent pool intro
I bought a house with a pool in the backyard and I had no idea what to do with it. This book really helped me become familiar with the general pool maintenance and how filters, pumps, chemicals, etc work. I still had to call in a pool company to help me open the pool for the first summer, but reading this book helped me understand what they were doing and ask the right questions.

I've also referred to this book a few times for troubleshooting information. While it isn't specific to my particular pool configuration, it points me in the right direction.

What Color IS Your Swimming Pool?
I use this book as a training tool and give one to each of my customers in which I build a pool. New and perspective pool owners need to learn a crash course in pool care and maintenance to preserve the beauty of their investment. I have had a much easier job of educating my customers and in the end, they are much happier. This book is a must for all pool owners that care what water can do to their investment.

Not enough information on "How to".
As a new pool owner, with no prior experience in pool care, I did not findthis book to be particularly helpful. The book had a lot of information onwhat things were, and what needed to be done in terms of problem solving. Unfortunately the book neglected to share with readers how to do it. Iwould not recommend this book to new pool owners. ... Read more

Book Description
Enlarged, redesigned edition has underwater photos in full color, as well as new line drawings and cartoons. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Of benefit to the experienced swimmer
Whether you swim for exercise, relaxation or pleasure, this book is sure to help. While a good proportion of the text is devoted to explaining and justifying the principles behind the ideas it promotes (and I did tend to skip much of that, although I am sure it is interesting in itself), it does contain some really good advice.

I swim for an hour or more on an almost daily basis. Being a swimmer who at one time swam competitively I was finding it hard to do anything other than swim all out in the pool, but the suggestions here really helped me gain a new perspective, and derive much greater pleasure from my swimming.

Some sections are devoted to specific advice on individual strokes, highlighting both good and bad practices. Interestingly many of the suggestions contained in the book do not contradict typically taught methods, but rather they compliment or enhance them. However it does also warm against some practices which it considers physically harmful, especially some practices adopted by competitive swimmers. Overall its message is to encourage swimming techniques that are both relaxing and that make swimming a pleasure.

I found this a most useful book, every bit as beneficial for the experienced swimmer as much as the novice.

If you swim, you should get this book.
I've been a regualr swimmer for about 30 years - 4 to 5 times a week, an hour or so each time.About 2 years ago, a friend gave me a book about the Alexander Technique to read, saying it might be of interest to me and my swimming.I was quite interested and managed to attend a workshop where I got some hands-on experience with the work.One evening, a group of us went to the pool with one of the teachers and she showed us how to apply some of the ideas to swimming.

I couldn't believe how much of difference that little bit of information made!I realized that I had been using too much, and the wrong kind of effort, particularly with my back stroke.I'd always loved to swim, and the feel of the water, but now swimming became a whole new experience for me.Much more fluid and with less effort, and yet just as invigorating.Several friends have commented on the change.

The Art of Swimming is, as far as I know, the only book devoted specifically to swimming and the Alexander Technique.I found it very readable and I think it would make a good introduction to the ideas of the Technique for swimmers.I'd also recommend the book that got me started by Rickover, called "Fitness Without Stress - A Guide to the Alexander Technique".Also a book called "The Authorised Summaries of the Four Books of F.M. Alexander".END ... Read more