Hello All,
I am taking swim instructions through the local USMS ALTS program. it is a new program where adults are given swim instructions. I am in my early 50's and just never till now. I am in the 4th week of my lessons and seem to have (mostly) overcome the fear of water =).
We are now at the part of the instructions where we are learning freestyle swim and that's where I am at a complete roadblock.
I am unable to co-ordinate my feet/legs movement with the arms. I can hold my breath and move my feet/legs and do just fine for several feet in distance but the second I start using my arms, my feet/legs stop.
Its one of those cliche's about unable to walk and chew gum at the same time, while I say that in a lighthearted joke, I am feeling very frustrated with this issue and feel that I won't be able to proceed with the next phase of the lessons where I learn how to move my head side to side and breathe.
Is this common (unable to coordinate legs and arms)?
I am open to ANY suggestions/advice/suggestions from you to help overcome this mental block.
all feedback is welcomed and appreciated.
Thank you
XMFan
That's the first thing I would address. You shouldn't be holding your breath. You should inhale through your mouth, and as soon as you rotate your face back into the water, you should start exhaling through your nose. It may not sound related to other body parts coordinating, but if you are working on holding your breath, that's one more thing you are having to process. Plus it'll fatigue you more quickly than breathing regularly.
he is learning to swim... and air exchange with the stroke is actually probably the next lesson..
That's the first thing I would address. You shouldn't be holding your breath. You should inhale through your mouth, and as soon as you rotate your face back into the water, you should start exhaling through your nose. It may not sound related to other body parts coordinating, but if you are working on holding your breath, that's one more thing you are having to process. Plus it'll fatigue you more quickly than breathing regularly.
he is learning to swim... and air exchange with the stroke is actually probably the next lesson..
