Adult Learn to Swim:  Teaching Breath Control and Rhythmic Breathing

Swim teachers and developmental coaches tell us:  Two of the most difficult skills to teach beginning swimmers are breath control and rhythmic breathing.  Join us this week as we all share our best secrets and progressions for teaching HOW TO BREATHE.

**Monday**

**Breathing in the Water:  Humming in the Water**

Glenn shares his top secret for helping new swimmers avoid getting water up the nose.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3227-humming>

**Tuesday**

**Breathing in the Water:  Signing in the Water**

Here’s how Glenn makes swimmers aware of how they exhale – either through the nose or through the mouth.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3228-singing-in-the-water>

**Wednesday**

**Breathing in the Water: Experiment with Body Density**

This simple breath-holding exercise teaches so much!

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3229-experiment-with-body-density>

**Thursday**

**Haufler Free:  Freestyle #1- Breath Control and Rhythmic Breathing**

Steve Haufler shares his progression for teaching breath control and rhythmic breathing.  This works for adult beginners, too!

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1775-lesson-1-breath-control-and-rhythmic-breathing>

**Friday**

**Freestyle 101: Head-Lead Kick on Your Back**

Once someone has mastered breath control and rhythmic breathing, here’s a transitional skill we like to teach before introducing rhythmic breathing.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1378-head-lead-kick-on-your-back>

**Saturday**

**Haufler Toys: The Head**

A Styrofoam head will transform how you teach rotary breathing.  And will transform your success rate!

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/703-the-head>

**Sunday**

**Breathing in the Water: Turning to Air on Freestyle**

Look at the house…look at the wall.  This simple exercise will help swimmers “get it” when it comes to rotary breathing.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3233-turning-to-air-on-freestyle>

**Summary**

**Adult Learn to Swim Techniques**

The main topic of the meeting was adult learn to swim, rhythmic breathing, and breath control. Glenn shared some videos related to this topic and planned to discuss them in detail. He also mentioned that he would be leaning on other people, including Steve and Mike, to fill in the gaps.

**Teaching Adults to Swim Safely**

Glenn discusses the challenges of teaching adults to swim, highlighting common fears such as drowning, past negative experiences, and cultural factors. He emphasizes the importance of creating a safe environment and focusing on breathing techniques. Glenn demonstrates underwater breathing exercises, including humming and singing, to help students control their air and overcome fear. He also explains the concept of body density and its impact on buoyancy, noting that individuals with different body compositions may require tailored teaching approaches. Glenn suggests using a vertical float test to determine a person's natural buoyancy, which can inform instruction methods.

**Body Density and Teaching Techniques**

Glenn discussed the importance of body density in swimming, emphasizing that it affects comfort and buoyancy in the water. He highlighted the need for personalized teaching methods based on a swimmer's body density, experience, and comfort level. Glenn also demonstrated various techniques for teaching breathing and rhythmic breathing, emphasizing the importance of visual cues and gradual progression. He stressed the significance of empathy and small victories in teaching, and encouraged the use of fun and engaging methods to make learning enjoyable.

**Body Positioning and Breathing Exercises**

Glenn discussed the importance of body positioning in group situations to ensure smooth water flow and comfort. He clarified that lung capacity cannot be increased, but the body's ability to handle oxygen levels can be improved through training and lifestyle changes. The group also touched on the topic of breathing exercises and their potential benefits.

**Swimming Techniques: Balance and Breath Control**

Glenn discussed the importance of balance and breath control in swimming exercises. He emphasized the need to maintain a fine balance to avoid water entering the nose and to ensure proper oxygen intake. Glenn also highlighted the significance of body alignment and head position in swimming, advising against articulating the neck and instead using the entire torso to make adjustments. He demonstrated these techniques using a swimmer as an example.

**Precision in Teaching Techniques**

Glenn discussed the importance of precision and illustration in teaching techniques, using Steve's demonstration of head positioning as an example. He emphasized the value of "see and mimic" learning, where students observe and replicate actions. Glenn also highlighted the use of props like mannequin heads and wigs to help students understand head positioning. He suggested that these techniques could be applied to adults as well. Additionally, Glenn mentioned the use of a pencil and a stick to illustrate the concept of buoyancy and body line.

**Proper Breathing Techniques in Swimming**

Glenn discussed the importance of proper breathing techniques in swimming, using examples from his own experiences and those of elite triathletes. He emphasized the need for maintaining a straight body line and keeping the head underwater during freestyle swimming. Glenn also highlighted the significance of rhythmic breathing and the need for a diverse teaching approach, drawing from his own experiences and those of other instructors. Barbara shared a successful teaching experience using a technique she learned from a Steve Hoffler video.

**Teaching Swimming to Adults**

The group discusses teaching swimming to adults, emphasizing the importance of empathy and patience. Mike highlights the need to celebrate small victories and make adult learners feel comfortable, especially given their potential fears and insecurities. Suzy mentions that a significant portion of adult lessons involves counseling and psychology. The conversation touches on breathing techniques, body positioning in the water, and the importance of adapting teaching methods to individual needs. Glenn concludes by announcing next week's topic on swim camps and the value they can provide to swimmers.


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Apr. 15, 2025 - Adult LTS - Breathing