Kinesthetic Awareness vs Cognitive Analysis

Kinesthetic Awareness versus Cognitive Analysis Usually, I like to stay as far away as possible from the "technique" debate. Honestly, I'm surprised to find myself right back in the thick of it. I guess that's understandable considering how obsessed swimmers are with the importance of technique. Truthfully, this debate has nauseated me in the past for one simple reason. Swimming is a feeling, not a thought. It is a kinesthetic awareness, and cannot be fully understood through cognitive analysis alone. We can try and describe the mechanics involved, but does that idea actually translate into personalized physiological adaptation? Generally speaking, I don't think so. That's why I prefer training models that teach the body to feel, opening up a different kind of thinking. Your muscles have memory, and your body has intuitive capabilities. Literally, getting "in touch" with the water is more likely to deliver the results you're looking for. Words like flow, feel, pressure, resistance, or anything that enhances tactile understanding. These words are more likely to enable transference of information into the swimming action. The fact is, everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and these should be targeted on a case by case basis. I would never ask Phelps to swim like Nystrand, or vice versa. (or a younger version of the two) Which is why the technique debate appears to be flawed from the start. The question is, what works best for you? Sure, there are general rules, but to get the most out of your swim you have to reach a personal level. You need to pay attention to forward motion and an over-all sense of flow. If you're one of those people that absolutely "needs" to think technique during your swim, I suggest trying the checklist method. In other words, think of 5-6 things you'd like to work on and go through the checklist on a regular basis. Continually move in your mind from one point to the other, don't localize in one spot for too long. This ensures that you don't get "stuck" on one aspect of your swim, and this method can actually trick your mind into a kinesthetic state. Good luck and happy swimming, Jonathan R. Miller