Total Immersion - Learning Approach

Learning Approach

TI treats swimming with a similar approach to many martial arts, with an emphasis on mindful practice in the spirit of yoga or t'ai chi. Whether the swimmer's primary goal is exercise, relaxation, endurance, or competition, the aim is to develop awareness of your body's movements within and interactions with the water. For both swimmers who have learned a different style of swimming as well as novice learners, the drill sequence builds the stroke up from small movements and balance drills towards a whole stroke. Progression is built on successful previous movements in a system that the founder describes as "Trial and Success".

Short repetitions of proper movement allow the body to incorporate new motor sequences as the learner develops an efficient stroke. As the new motor skill is learned, it can be executed with increased speed and less conscious control over the movement. When the movements become automated, the swimmer can then focus on increasing stroke rate while maintaining efficiency. In this way speed as well as efficiency can be developed.