Helping people with H2O phobias

Hey folks,

This is a nice article on my work w/ swimmers w/ phobias. TI helps those struggling w/ fear of the water, too. Enjoy.

http://www.midtownraleighnews.com/111/story/1896.html

TI helps save a life!

Following is a marvelous testimony to the impact TI swimming has on someone's life, in an entirely unexpected way...
__________

Hi,

I haven't been swimming since I went to the Caribbean in early Dec. and plan to start again today...but here is a great swimming lesson story.

In St. Thomas I was snorkeling and my sister was blobbing in the water floating on a "noodle" (she carries them in her suit case when we travel to water places!). A large sail boat anchored near the beach and the captain let the people either swim to shore or ride in the dingy. A couple was swimming to shore when the man realized he couldn't make it and started to go under...his wife screamed, we noticed it and I took off my snorkel gear, grabbed a noodle from my sister and swam (using TI of course) the noodle over to the couple. Everyone's day ended happy!

So, you took an 55 year old woman who didn't like to put her head in the water and didn't know how to swim, to a person who helped save someone's life...in less than 6 months!

Thanks so much! I swam everyday when my sister and I were on vacation...not so much over the holidays. Now I'm looking forward to getting my husband to water so I can show him how easy it is to swim!

Betsi
Raleigh, NC

TI Update for December

Aquatic Greetings,

I trust you are already back in the pool working off your turkey, ham, green bean casserole & pumpkin pie! I definitely need another week to recover. Here's an update on what's happening with TI and my business, heart2swim.

The FS Series and I recently co-sponsored an Easy Freestyle Workshop at Gypsy Divers Aquatics, and it was a tremendous success. We were maxed out at 10 participants, motivated to learn and attain greater efficiency in their swimming, specifically for improved endurance and results in their triathons. More EF workshops will be scheduled in Raleigh, as well as other venues in other cities. The first clinic in Charlotte is set for Jan. 9th! If you are interested in setting a workshop up in your area, let me know. You can learn more about Easy Freestyle at ww.fsseries.com.

Group lessons will begin again at Rex Wellness in Wakefield starting Jan. 23. There will be two levels of TI classes offered, with the level 2 being for those who have some experience w/ TI technique. Both will last 5 weeks, and take place on Saturday at 8:30 & 9:30am. Lessons are open to members and non-members of Rex. Please call or email w/ any questions, or call Rex directly at 570-1511.

Finally, remember that private and semi-privates are always available, so don't delay in getting started in your training for the 2010 tri season. I am also coaching a Masters group at Rex Wellness, along w/ USA Triathlon Coach Tracy Doherty. Our mission is to provide a team atmosphere where each swimmer can meet their individual goals, while receiving both training and technique. T2 Masters is $10 to drop-in for members and $20 for non-members, & runs from 5:30-6:30pm on Friday. All levels of swimmers are encouraged to participate! Next practice on Friday, Dec. 4th.

Please check out my website at www.heart2swim.com, which is looking sharp w/ my new logo! Special thanks to TI swimmer, Jill Zaremba, for designing this logo, which was in my head but not on paper. Also, I am indebted to RAJE outdoors, http://rajeoutdoors.com/, owned by Robbie and Adrian Jensen, for their help w/ my site and making the video of my swim at the Lake Royale Triathlon. RAJE is a real asset to the triathlon community w/ their presence at many events and very popular "i tri" gear.

Any orders from www.totalimmersion.net using the discount code 'coachbrian' get 10% off your order, just in time for Christmas!

swimmingly,
--
Brian R. Barndt
Teaching Professional
Total Immersion Swimming
Team USA Transplant Olympian
www.totalimmersion.net
www.heart2swim.com
919/757-1230

A Soldier's Swimming Story

Enjoy this well-detailed account from Matt, an Army soldier faithfully serving our country.
___________________________

I'm a soldier on Fort Bragg and I recently was given some motivation to improve my ability to swim. I found out about Total Immersion swimming, liked what I heard, and called up Brian Barndt in Raleigh, to get a couple of lessons. I convinced one of my buddies to go with me. We had two lessons from Brian last week and then this week I swam about 5 hours, 4 of them just working completely on TI drills that he taught us. I definitely made some progress and developed some competence in the first few drills but I started getting frustrated as I tried to progress to switches and other drills that lead to a full stroke. Things just weren't coming together right. So I decided to forget the drills for a while and just swim.

While I was swimming, at least tried to incorporate some of the things I had been practicing and Brian had taught us like keeping my head down, being relaxed, and swimming with my arms on a wider track. I know my form is still somewhat awful, but I was surprised to find that I did around 500m with only a 1-2 breath break in between each length. Prior to studying with Brian I would swim a lap, take a 5-10 second break on the wall and then continue. I think the furthest I had swam freestyle was about 300m. So I took a 5 min break and decided to try to swim 10 laps again. This time I placed my watch right on the edge of the pool so I could keep track of my split times. When I finished my 10 laps, the results surprised me. From the first lap to the 10th, there was not more than a 6 second difference! These were my split times: 1:26, 1:25, 1:26, 1:27, 1:27, 1:31, 1:29, 1:29, 1:27, 1:31.

So, bottom line, even though I'm only in the beginning stages of TI, my form is not yet great, and am truly a novice swimmer, I was able to swim 10 laps freestyle at a relaxed pace with only 1 to 2 breaths between each length (of course I'm breathing while I'm swimming as well) with barely a time difference between the 1st and the 10th lap. That was encouraging. Thanks, Brian!

Mid-October update

Just a few things to share with you about TI swimming. For the next week, any online orders over $50 from TI at www.totalimmersion.net, will have free shipping. It may give you a good opportunity to pick up some DVD's for yourself, or a fellow swimmer for the Christmas season. Always remember to use my discount code, coachbrian, for 10% off your order!

The upcoming Easy Freestyle clinic is scheduled for Sat, Nov 21st, at Gypsy Divers in Raleigh. This 4 hr workshop will give the novice or advanced swimmer a fantastic beginning to moving w/ grace and efficiency through the water. Read more and register at www.fsseries.com

On November 6, a new Masters swim program will begin at Rex Wellness, T2 Masters. I will be coaching alongside Tracy Doherty, who is a very accomplished pool and open water swimmer, personal trainer, and USA Triathlon Coach. We have named it T2, representing "Training and Technique." It is frequently said that Masters programs offer great training, yet provide little focus on good technique. Tracy and I are committed to combing the two, making an ideal aquatic environment for training and learning! It will be a one hour practice, weekly on Fridays from 5:30-6:30pm. Details on cost will be forthcoming, but members and non-members of Rex Wellness will be able to participate. If you are interested, please notify me via email asap, which will help us w/ planning.

I recently swam in the Lake Royale triathlon at Louisburg, NC, and posted a video of my swim on Youtube. Please check it out and share w/ anyone who may be interested in what TI swimming looks like, and can accomplish. I was able to come out 2nd in my wave of 30+ swimmers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo6tDhQDnNQn

Finally, there has been significant interest from swimmers in the Charlotte area. If you, or someone you know, may also be interested in a TI clinic in Charlotte, please let me know. Hopefully, we will have one before the end of year.

Just keep swimming!

--
Brian R. Barndt
Teaching Professional
Total Immersion Swimming
Team USA Transplant Olympian

Men's Medley Relay Grabs Silver

Here's a link to the youtube clip of Team USA's A Relay at the World Tx Games. Team UK blazes to a gold, and we firmly get silver. I am leading off in the backstroke leg, wearing a navy legskin suit and red cap.

Special thanks to Bill Wohl for providing this clip! Enjoy.

Brian

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zo6N1H2r3Q

Youtube clip from Lake Royale Swim

Here is a clip you can view on Youtube from my Lake Royale Triathlon,

Brian Barndt Open Water Total Immersion Swimming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo6tDhQDnNQ

Please remember that TI group lessons begin at Rex Health Ctr in Wakefield next Saturday, October 10 from 8:30-9:30am. There are a few spots still available, so don't delay if you'd like to participate! And, the Easy Freestyle workshop, co--sponsored by the Finish Strong Series, is set for Saturday, Nov 21, from 1-5pm at Gypsy Divers Aquatics in Raleigh. Learn more at www.fsseries.com

Happy laps!

Fall classes/clinics

TI greetings,

The tri season is about to finish for 2009, and the time to plan for next year is NOW!! I am very grateful for the rapidly growing interest in TI swim technique and training, and the new opportunities that have arisen. There are two options that are now available for this fall:

1) Easy Freestyle Clinic at Gypsy Divers in Raleigh, Sat, Nov 21st from 1-5pm. This 4 hour clinic is co-sponsored by the FS Series, and will provide plenty of pool and classroom time to begin or enhance your journey to successful swimming. Learn how a balanced and efficient technique can transform your triathlon experience. Lengthen your stroke, save energy and reduce your strokes per length (SPL). Two instructors in attendance. Cost is $165 and you can register at www.fsseries.com

2) Group Classes at Rex Wellness Ctr. in Wakefield. Two levels of Total Immersion Classes will be offered starting on Sat, Oct 10, beginner and advanced TI. These are 5 weekly one hour sessions, for members and non-members of Rex Wellness, $125 for members and $175 non-members.
The format will be similar to the EF model, focusing on balance & technique, achieving some mastery of TI principles and focal point drills. TI level 1 required for entrance to TI level 2, unless approved by myself. More info can be obtained from Rex Wellness at 570-1511. No class on Halloween weekend.

And, if you or someone you know is struggling w/ anxiety and/or water phobia, Rex offers a very basic class called "Getting Your Feet Wet," which is ridiculously cheap at $64 for non-members, and very helpful. In fact, several people have swum freestyle and breastroke for the first time in their lives!!
I love teaching this class!

I will be offering a free TI clinic on the eve of the Lake Royale Triathlon on Sat, Oct 3rd from 5-5:45pm, for all registrants. Then, I will join the swimmers in the lake on race day, as a member of a tri relay, the Total Immersion Racers. You can sign up for this season finale triathlon at the FS Series site, www.fsseries.com

I hope to see you at one or more of these upcoming events!!

TI Swims the English Channel

No, not me. Terry Laughlin, our accomplished founder, is currently swimming the English Channel. You can read excerpts on his experiences at www.totalimmersion.net/blog.

Save energy, work less, reach new goals...That's TI swimming!

Former Swimmer Makes Haul In Australia - University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks Athletics

Former Swimmer Makes Haul In Australia - University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks Athletics

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