Comments on: Seamless Breathing: The Final Piece in a Super-Efficient Stroke

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 10:09:00 +0000

Alena, when I started self-teaching TI back in 1999 it was to prepare for coaching age-group swimmers. As a life-long, every 2 stroke, right side breather I started to experiment with left side breathing. While it felt “strange” at first, it also was “better” than my old, only-right side breathing. It was my first, of many, TI revelations. Now I still breathe every 2 strokes, but to the right in one direction & to the left in the other direction (always toward the near side of the pool). This is still bilateral breathing, which promotes right-left stroke symmetry, but gets me a fresh breath more often than “traditional” bilateral breathing, which most swimmers (and swim instructors, unfortunately!) think of as every 3 strokes. For me, in a yd. pool, that means 5 opportunities to evaluate one (the good) side, then on the return lap, 5 opportunities to apply the previous lap’s lessons to improve the (bad) side.

By: Alena Zíková

Alena Zíková — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 17:05:00 +0000

Thanks! Yes, patience is also a part of the game. I want it all quickly. I will do as you suggest.

By: Arina Thomsen

Arina Thomsen — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:42:00 +0000

Great article! Thank you!

By: Phil Sallaway

Phil Sallaway — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 17:43:00 +0000

Great insights with practical applications !

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 17:22:00 +0000

As Terry mentioned it will feel awkward and difficult at first. If you can breathe bilaterally for 50m before having to stop, then try doing repeats of just 50m until it becomes easy and natural. Then progress to 75m repeats until it is natural and so on. Over time, you will have no problem doing the longer distances. But you just need to be patient with the process.

By: Alena Zíková

Alena Zíková — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 10:27:00 +0000

Hello, I started freestyle a year ago, in my adult age. I am a great athlete, but have a really hard time breathing. I swim on average 3000m a day, but to manage, I only breath on every second stroke. Do I have to change to bilateral breathing? As I try every so often the 3 stroke breathing, I end up discouraged and return to one side breathing. With it, I can do the 3k or more Without it, I keep stopping after every 50m. Thanks for your advice.

By: Paul Douglas

Paul Douglas — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 03:13:00 +0000

Nice excerpt! Thanks for sharing it.

By: addicted2data

addicted2data — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:17:00 +0000

Interesting point Kim. No panic in my breathing, it’s waaaay too relaxed and slow!

By: Kim Spina

Kim Spina — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 15:57:00 +0000

I find that many teachers rush into the breathing skill before balance and forward motion are sufficiently achieved. Forward motion and balance are important to the hydrodynamics of swimming. TI drills help to allow the swimmer to learn balance, forward motion and breathing and help alleviate the panic

By: addicted2data

addicted2data — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 14:01:00 +0000

Fitting breathing into my stroke is by far the biggest challenge for me. It has been for years. I breathe every fourth stroke, but my breathing cycle is so prolonged I effectively only get 3 propulsive strokes out of every 4. What is the best TI course to address this, or is it something that would be better addressed by private coaching?