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lesson testimonials" Hi Ian, just to say thank you for the swimmings lessons last week, I enjoyed them very much, even though I originally said I thought they were a bit expensive lol! I have been to the pool today and mostly concentrated on my breast stroke, managing a length of the pool. I was quite pleased with the practice so far, and hopefully remembered all you told me, head relaxed, look at my knees and go with the glide." Jennifer, Kent, March 2012 " Many thanks for the most enjoyable swimming course, it was wonderfully relaxing, the addition of the lessons in the Alexander technique also benefited me a great deal." Jean, Edinburgh, February 2012 " Thanks to you I had a wonderful time with my granddaughters in the pool. For the first time ever I was able to play with them and not sit on the top step clinging to the side - my daughter couldn't believe it! Mike and I took the girls to a big water park called Wild Wild Wet and I enjoyed going down all the water chutes either in a race with the little one or with her sitting on my lap going down the spiral ones! I can't tell you how grateful I am that you helped me overcome my fear of the water. Mike is delighted as well." Ann, Bath, January 2012 " A;very big thank you to both of you for such a wonderful intensive swimming course. I have just been swimming in my local pool and feel so different in the water compared with before I came to Wales. I am amazed at how much I progress forward without much effort - I'm avoiding the dreaded word 'fast'! At 65, I have now achieved another lifelong ambition with things I thought I couldn't do (the other was painting). Now I just have to find the time - and not too many work trips to Somaliland with no pool! And my advice for anyone with total replacement knees as I have? Just do it. Swimming is just right, and for me, the breast stroke kick is perfectly comfortable." Gill, Berkshire, November 2011 " Encouraged by you and with renewed confidence, we had some wonderful snorkelling experiences on holiday. Jan even managed to snorkel with sharks! Thank you once again for your expert tuition. We have recommended you to family and friends" Tony and Jan, Suffolk, November 2011 " It has been delightful working with you over the past week. I have learnt a lot during these days. The thing that struck me about both of you is not only your relaxed and confident approach but most importantly the way you work around the individual swimmer to bring out the best." Tarek, Glasgow, September 2011 " I just wanted to say thank you to the both of you for your help and support last week. I really enjoyed the experience and feel confident that with a bit more practice and a few more lessons then I'll be able to build upon the foundation that's been laid. I certainly found the combination of swimming lessons and Alexander Technique really useful and would very much like to do more Alexander work." Martin, Oxford, September 2011 " Dear Cheryl, This is a letter to thank you for the swimming instruction and the pleasure of discovering that being in (and under!) the water is a great place to be. Yesterday I did 20 lengths of breaststroke. Now and again I get nervy moments but your words 'drop the head' are enough to quell those moments. Swimming has become part of my life in a way that I never imagined, a real pleasure. I really look forward to getting to the pool - a complete conversion. Many, many thanks." Ann, North Wales, August 2011 " Thank you very much for your fantastic teaching on our swimming holiday. We've been to the pool today to practise our new techniques. Still a way to go but I (Lorraine) swam a 30 metre length of breaststroke without grinding to a halt, sinking or gasping for breath! " Lorraine and Ellie, Manchester, July 2011 " I have just returned home from our trip to Brongwyn.I would be grateful if you could pass on my immense delight at how well Adam progressed in his lessons with Ian this week. Adam, being a typical lad, was very self-conscious about having swimming lessons, and if he finds something too difficult, will give up. That was where we were at with his swimming, and despite all my efforts and encouragement, he had definitely given up on his swimming. Coming to Brongwyn was a final attempt to turn him into a swimmer - and what a triumph! We all had an amazing time, and I am eternally grateful for Ian's calmness and patience in his teaching." Mary, Herts, July 2011 " Just wanted to say sincere thanks for our fabulous swimming holiday. We were impressed by the website however nothing prepared us for the wonderful experience of beginning our journey on the “swimming without stress” experience....It was so brilliant to see Lynne overcome her anxiety about the water and to hear her talk of the positive benefits of the Alexander Technique lessons. I have never seen her appear so relaxed and switched off from work... I just wanted to say what a difference your instruction has made to me. I now think “glide” instead of grabbing a breath before flinging myself as fast as possible down the length of the pool! Having always enjoyed swimming I now find myself really at one with the water and “going with the flow” I love it....Many thanks for your patience and guidance & positive vibes, a pleasure to meet you." Lynne and Julie, Birmingham, June 2011 " Just wanted to thank you both again for the help you gave me to learn to swim. I feel my swimming will be a work in progress for some time but without you giving me the basics of learning to breathe under water and being able to float and stand up in the water I would not have anything to build on and just knowing how to do those basics will give me the comfort of knowing that no matter what I try to do in water, if it goes wrong I just have to go back to basics and my fear of water will be under control. You are both fantastic teachers and it was my privilege to have lessons with you." Christine, Kent, May 2011 " Thank you both for the lessons which gave me... much greater ease in the execution of my front crawl stroke and greater awareness of what I was doing – because I was doing my stuff more slowly and had time to be more sensory aware. I now recall with improved clarity aspects of strokes and movement in the pool than previously. Now some of the fundamentals of stress free swimming have finally taken hold, I hope I don’t forget or allow them to erode. I'll continue to reduce over application of muscle and follow your flowing, gliding, sweeping, extending and relaxing techniques. Thank you both again for the learning experience and your company." Richard, Cumbria, March 2011 " Dear Ian and Cheryl, I am writing to express my appreciation for the swimming lessons I received at the beginning of March 2011. You are very patient and understanding teachers. I cannot believe the momentous improvement I made in just 4 days. Thank you once again." Mary, London, March 2011 " I've spent the whole week not quite believing what I managed to achieve last weekend. Thank you both so much for helping me build my confidence in the water. I can't believe I spent all my life being so scared of it. Will definitely be looking for more lessons from you." Jane, Milton Keynes, March 2011 " Ian, I wanted to thank you once again for my swimming tuition. As you know I found it very challenging,but immensley rewarding,and now have a deep desire to learn more! I will book another course soon, hopefully for some time in November. I am also now interested to learn a bit more about the Alexander technique. It was lovely to meet you and although the swimming was challenging and hence tiring it was so worthwhile." Tina, Brecon, March 2011 " I just wanted to say thanks for this week. I drove home and went straight to my gym so I could try out everything you taught me in a bigger pool (only 18m but big enough for me). I know I've got a long way before I'll do that first triathlon but you've given me the belief that I will eventually crack this - even get to love it as much as I love running, which is saying a lot." Cathy, Wirral, March 2011 " I really enjoyed the course. It has helped me with my swimming and made it even more enjoyable. I tell other people how good it is to do the course, in such a lovely setting with such excellent teachers." Alison, Bristol, March 2011 " Back from our first swim since Wales. It was great! I swam 6 x 25m front crawl straight off with no problem. A man there remarked how easy I made swimming look! It felt great and i now prefer front crawl to breast stroke! Can swim breast stroke till the cows come home!" Sarah, Herts, February 2011 " Thank you so much for last week. We really enjoyed it and felt we both made big improvements, each in our own way. Not only were the lessons interesting, informative and enjoyable, we also enjoyed meeting you both and hopefully we will meet again for further improvement. " Peter and Sheila, Yorkshire, Jan 2011 " Thank you for the swimming instruction last week. The methods you used worked wonders and I was very pleased with the progress made. I am looking forward to going to my local pool later this week. I was also very impressed with the accommodation and facilities at Croft Farm, which were much better than I had expected and couldn't be faulted." Dave, Herts, December 2010 " Wanted to say thank you again for everything this week. Life changing is not too strong a sentiment." Geoff, Brentwood, November 2010 " I am very much enjoying the lessons with Chie, what a wonderful teacher she is and much to my surprise I haven’t yet had any panics as she puts you at ease straight away ! This week I even got both feet off the ground , something I never dreamed of achieving. My husband has commented that I am grinning like a Cheshire cat when I emerge from the changing rooms and I am boring everyone to death with “how proud I am of myself”. " Val, Oxford, November 2010 " Thanks again for the lessons. Everyone really enjoyed them.The CD of our lessons is a great record of the progress made.Megan has informed me that Butterfly has now become her favourite stroke, which is brilliant because she really disliked it before. She is also delighted with her ability to do tumble turns, which she was flat out refusing even to attempt before the lessons. Having this on film has really pleased her." Marion, Falkirk, October 2010 " I thoroughly enjoyed my first lesson and am looking forward to the next one. Chie is a great teacher and really makes you feel confident." Althea, Oxford, October 2010 " Back in Holland and just want to thank you so much for last week.I am far more relaxed back at work this week - I really think the swimming and Alexander Technique had a huge positive effect on me.Looking forward to trying the pool this weekend." Maria, Holland, September 2010 " Thank you both for the excellent tuition, encouragement and patience given to me during my stay at Brongwyn. I feel so much more at ease in the water than when I first arrived and look forward to stress free swimming from now on. " Jacquie, Ipswich, June 2010 " I much enjoyed the last sessions I had with you both - a further steady improvement in my basic swimming skills.I had a quick scan of all the swimming disc's you have sent me over the years - my improvements are obvious, particularly when you compare my performance on the last disc.Once again many thanks for the skills passed on and your company." Richard, Cumbria, March 10 " Just a short note to say thank you so much for your patience and support this week, I don't think I fully appreciated quite how scared of water I was, but I made good progress with both of you. Your styles are very complementary and I enjoyed the contrast between each session. I hope to come back later this year and will be in touch soon." Charlotte, Somerset, March 2010 " I write to thank you for a memorable and potentially life-changing week. My trip to the pool went well on Friday and I had a very enjoyable 45 minutes; gliding;floating on my back; playing dead in the water etc. I am off to the pool again with my partner on Sunday. The fact that I could actually enjoy, and not be terrified by, an unaccompanied trip to a swimming baths by the end of the week is a tribute to your calm and patient tuition." David, Manchester, March 2010 " I actually joined Bannantynes this Friday, which has a really good 20 metre pool. Spent nearly 3 hours there yesterday with my eldest daughter who'd come up for a visit from London and she was amazed at my progress. I could certainly tell that I had better technique than quite a few of the others in the pool, I can actually see them underwater now you've got me wearing goggles. Still concentrating on keeping my neck free, stretching out and gliding. I will get there, I've no doubts now in my abilities to succeed in this area. Thanks again for everything. You're both excellent instructors and I've already recommended you to several people and will continue to do so. " Lynette, Birmingham, March 10 " As you know yesterday's session with Chie was the last one in a long series which has been of enormous value to me. I really don't know how I am going to manage without her! But as I am moving house next week the regular sessions are no longer possible. Chie has been wonderful. She is so patient and encouraging, and I quickly came to trust her completely. She has taught me to have a totally new attitude to being in the water, which I now love, as well as to swim with comfort and pleasure rather than the struggle it was when I started.So - very many thanks to you and to Chie." Viv, Oxford, November 2009 " Thank you both so much for the last few days. Your teaching methods are brilliant. You make such a great team! You have found a way to build my confidence and belief in my ability beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you for showing me a new found joy of being in the water and for teaching me how to find my feet! See you next year." Gill, St Helens, November 2009 " I just wanted to let you both know how much I enjoyed my introduction to real swimming. Until I found out about your course I'd pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I'd never be comfortable in the water without a snorkel, mask and fins. On the rare occasions I ventured into a swimming pool I'd pull every muscle and sinew to get from one end to the other, fighting for air all the way. I now know that I wasn't so much swimming as trying not to sink. During the course some things came to me more quickly than others, but whenever I hit a sticky spot your expertise and patience moved me on, and I now feel fully confident that I can actually swim and relax at the same time. I've just joined the local leisure centre with my wife and we're both looking forward to improving our technique further while enjoying the experience of relaxed swimming to the full. It was a genuine pleasure to meet you both and who knows, if things progress as we hope, we may see you again next year for some more advanced lessons. We happened to be in the Lake District last month during the Great North Swim and we're now teasing ourselves with the possibility that we could actually take part in 2010!" Graham, Liverpool, October 2009 " I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the swimming lessons with Ian and Cheryl. I didn't realise I could achieve so much in such a short time. It is all due to your expert teaching and patience. This is such a brilliant technique for swimming, really relaxing and beneficial both mentally and physically. Anyone thinking about learning to swim properly should pick up the phone and arrange to do this now. I wish I had done it years ago. Thank you once again." Val, Bridgend, October 2009 " I wanted to write and thank you and your team for all your help and support over the last year. Could you please pass on my thanks to Chie? As you may recall I had completed in a number of triathlons prior to my lessons but was struggling with the swim sections. Chie's teaching helped me to relax and to exit the water in a much more positive frame of mind. I have just completed IMUK and finished the 2.4 mile swim feeling ready to tackle the 112 mile bike leg. Without Chie's help I'm not sure I would have even made the start line let alone finish the swim (and the race!)" Simon, Oxford, August 2009 " I enjoyed the course very much you both have the patience of saints.Thank you for your kindness and humour. At the local pool I've been thinking about what you said about 'not doing' the things that I didn't need to be doing. I can now move up and down the pool with relative ease. I try to keep your message about gliding in my mind and it works. I'm more relaxed in the water and can be more conscious of my errors and make the necessary adjustments. You have given me the tools to continue to improve..." Colin, Newcastle, June 2009 " I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the lovely swimming lessons last week. I wouldn’t have believed I could enjoy being in the water so much. It really was a complete revelation to someone who had never voluntarily even put a face in water before!... I can now get happily half way along our local pool without feeling out of control. My boys were absolutely thrilled yesterday as, for the first time ever, I accompanied the rest of the family for their usual Sunday swim. And I was pretty thrilled too, as I actually enjoyed myself! Lots of swimming on my back, lots of gliding, and lots of letting my head drop and feeling, quite genuinely, relaxed." Sue, Chesham, June 2009 " Thank you so much for such a brilliant week of swimming. Me swimming? And enjoying it? You're both such calm and encouraging teachers and I've learnt more than I ever thought I could in such a short length of time. " Becky, London, March 2009 " I just wanted to say thank you for making this week so enjoyable. I've learnt a lot and I'm looking forward to swimming without any neck pain from now on! I think you're both excellent teachers and I'm so pleased to have discovered 'swimming without stress' by chance just a few weeks ago. " Michelle, Luton, April 2009 " Hello Julie, Thank you for the CD which arrived safely today. It's very easy to see what we are doing (right and wrong) looking at the pictures. Please could you pass on our many, many thanks to Cheryl and Ian for a fantastic introduction to "proper" swimming! We both very much enjoyed the lessons and have been trying to maintain our skills in the local swimming pool since coming home. And thank you too for a very stress-free booking experience! " Heather and Wal, Cardiff, March 2009 " Just wanted to say a huge 'Thank you' for your patience and skilful teaching. I thought the day would never come when I could swim. It is fantastic! There is still a fair way to go for me but Des and I have enrolled in swimming lessons and practise a couple of times a week. It is only a matter of time before I finally get to the deep end and hopefully learn to scuba dive. You really have opened up a whole new world for me and I shall be eternally grateful. " Jagdeep and Des, London " I just wanted to say thanks again to you both for what you taught me in the lessons I had with you, and let you know that it's had a profound and positive effect on both my swimming and life in general. " Peter, Chester, January 2009 " I feel that I have gained much from the lessons with you, they were very enjoyable. I was really 'stuck' before, and can now continue. The Shaw Method is very exciting, and I would not consider taking conventional swimming instruction. I'm also interested in taking further Alexander Technique tuition. " Karl, Plymouth, January 2009 " I would just like to thank you for your help and encouragement over the weekend. For the first time I feel as if swimming will happen for me, the groundwork has been done and you have given me a sound basis on which to build and I am determined to keep it going. " Chris, Worcester, December 2008 " Swimming lessons with Chie has revitalised my swimming. I never thought I'd be able to get the hang of it - but she's made it really easy. I think she's brilliant. " Pippa, Oxford, November 2008 " Julian and I had a great time at the weekend learning to improve our swimming. Julian is able to swim every day at the moment so is making full use of the lessons and practising hard. I managed to practise on monday and amazingly found it very relaxing after a horrible day at work and a hard run. I was even looking at the other swimmers 'clashing and bashing' around as they swam and felt very sanctimonious!! The best thing is that I got out the pool feeling calm! I am eager to swim tonight and looking forward to more practising and am sure that it will continue to help me relax! I have to say its the first time I have looked forward to swimming! " Sara, Leicester, October 2008 " A very big thank you for all you did for me. I am sure you realised that I arrived in some trepidation!! I have been trying to swim for what seems like years, but my fears have always got the better of me - I can go through the motions but only if 'attached' to some other mortal but your calm and friendly manner began, right from the start, to calm my 'collywobbles'. My final efforts of floating face down and unattached, even close to land, gave me the first experience I have ever had of how pleasurable swimming could be, and I am even prepared to accept that I can stand up again;- I now feel I want to persevere with it. " Roger, Bucks, September 2008 " Just a quick note to thank you so much for helping me to achieve a boyhood ambition. Since I was very young I have always wanted to swim the length of Lake Windermere. I had never had any formal coaching and at the age of 44, this was my ' Mount Everest'. I knew I needed some help to get my technique right. A big thank you for all your help - during the 2 days of instruction along with my family you really helped me understand the importance of relaxing the neck and shoulders, getting the swish and glide , rolling the body and not rushing the breathing.All your instruction was invaluabe as I ploughed on for 7.5 hous in freezing cold fresh water... I DID IT and a massive thanks to you both. " Richard, Cumbria, September 2008 " Many thanks for your patience in teaching a non swimmer like me to be comfortable in the water, I thoroughly enjoyed your lessons and can't wait to continue in London from where we left off. " Juhi, London, September 2008 " Many thanks to both of you. We really enjoyed our week at Brongwyn and miss it. My swimming course and Alexander technique lesson are an experience I will never forget. By the end of the week I felt more relaxed and supported by the water than I have ever felt and I loved it - I hope I can keep that feeling in the water. I have been left with a lot to think about and work on myself. Thank you " Judith, Oxford, September 2008 " Just a short note to thank you both for everything you both taught me and for completely changing my relationship with water. As you know, I was terrified of water and would never have put my face in the water. As a result of your course, I now can honestly say I love the water. Since returning, I have joined a Fitness club ( Only to use their pool!) and have been swimming every day. I have finally mastered the breathing and can happily do length after length, without feeling at all stressed. I have also discovered that I can completely float on my back- my knees are bent with my legs apart and not using my arms. I am soo chuffed and cant thank you both enough. " Tricia, Belfast, July 2008 " Just a quick mail to say thanks again for the support and guidance you gave me last week. I've tried so many times to learn to swim and it has generally ended in frustration and disappointment. This time I actually for the 1st time had the confidence and trust to allow my face to be fully immersed in water and that is thanks to both of you and your approach. I only wish I had discovered you 10 years ago. " Gerry, Rugby, May 2008 " Thank you so much for a wonderful few days. Instructive and Inspiring! I can't wait for the Open Air Lido in Cheltenham to open next month. Many thanks." Robin, Cheltenham, April 2008 " I would like to thank you for the wonderful session in the Croft pool yesterday. Both Shirley and myself thoroughly enjoyed the instruction and guidance. My wife has benefited immensely from your considerate and patient approach. My crawl has also been transformed, as if by magic. Our usual Saturday morning swim was a whole new experience today. We cant thank you enough. " Martin and Shirley, Fishguard, March 2008 " Dear Ian and Cheryl. Just a quick message to say many thanks for the skill and patience you both shared with me this week. I achieved so much more than I had dared hoped for. Not only am I a woman who'll now put her face in the water, I'm also a woman who understands about new techniques to achieve different strokes and most importantly, I know how to have fun in the water. My children are looking forward to seeing the dvd to prove I've progressed. I'll be recommending you to anyone and everyone who says they can't swim/ are frightened of the water/want to improve their swimming ability." Chris, Bristol, January 2008 " Thank you for a fantastic week of swimming. We both got so much from the course. My new aim in life is to keep my head and neck free!.. Thank you both for being wonderful teachers." Smeera and Tom, London, June 2007 " I wanted to let you know I really enjoyed the time and lessons with you both last week. It's really transformed my relationship with water. I've been to the pool four times since I came back ... and every time it just keeps getting better and better. I didn't imagine swimming could be so much fun. I'm looking forward to coming back to spend some more time with you one of these days. I must say you guys are very gifted and inspirational in the way you work. Please keep it up." James, Amsterdam, May 2007 " I felt compelled to write to you after my time at the pool this morning. I have been struggling with extending my time swimming without resting, and have been getting more and more tired, frustrated and despondent about swimming, along with seeing my hopes of participating in triathlons disappearing without a trace. However, this morning I remembered something that Chie told me in one of our last lessons. To experiment with the height of my lead hand in the water. All of a sudden it just clicked. I was no longer gasping for air, fighting for breath and feeling tired after only a couple of hundred meters. (I was amazed that such a seemingly small adjustment could make so much difference, but looking back, it was obvious I was causing a lot of tension by having my lead hand so high in the water.) I swam for half an hour without stopping, and the only reason I stopped was because I needed to get to work. It’s difficult to get into words what it actually means to me to be able to swim, but suffice to say at one point I was literally crying into my goggles. I was so happy, the frustration disappeared and all of a sudden I was swimming. I never imagined I could swim with so much relaxation and grace. I owe nearly all of this to Chie, and wondered if you could pass along to her my thanks and appreciation for her knowledge and endless patience with me." Joe, Bucks, May 2007 " The course was excellent and I got a lot out of it. You have a great teaching style and made what could be complex clear and workable....Will concentrate on letting my head go." Mike, Manchester, June 2007 " Once again I would like to thank you both for an amazing experience!! I can't believe I can actually do a bit of swimming underwater!! It all came together in the end and I feel I have finally let go." Alex, Ammanford, January 2007 " Thanks so much for your time and dedication on my swimming instruction. I did a brief time trial and my speed has definitely increased - I'm now able to keep pace with some of the other regulars in the pool! I'm also feeling more confident about my swimming abilities overall and I will definitely be recommending your course to others." Dermot, (ironman) Luxembourg, January 2007 " Ian, Thanks to yourself and Cheryl for your encouragement and patience over the weekend. We both really enjoyed our weekend and feel we have come a long way since stepping nervously into the pool on Friday morning. Our confidence has grown immensely over the weekend and our independence in the water this morning has left us both on such a high. It really is a wonderful feeling to finally let go, and although we have only just begun to explore our adventures in water, your technique and guidance has laid a solid foundation for us to move forward. We cannot thank you both enough." Brian and Alan, Twickenham, June 2007 " ...this morning, one of the gym's personal trainers was teaching a lady to swim front crawl and was shouting, literally shouting, 1 2 3, 1 2 3 from the side lines as this poor lady struggled along with lots of splash and not much forward movement. I couldn't help comparing to the hands on, relaxing, helpful (!) way that you teach, and actually felt quite sorry for this lady that she was getting this aggression (!) instead.." Julia, Ealing, October 2006 " Ian, Cheryl and Chie, Your fantastic teaching style, relaxed attitude and tremendous encouragement has made my progress possible and I'm extremely grateful. " Richard, Oxon, July 2007 " Ian suggested I try a length each of my old all-action style and my newly acquired glide. The times turned out to be almost identical, but it only took me half as many strokes when gliding. Ian was not attempting to make me go faster - he was trying to make me swim more efficiently. However, I could see this soon might amount to pretty much the same thing. In just about an hour, he had completed re-styled my swimming action." Pete Chapman, The Independent " We just had to write to say thank you for giving us both such a wonderful swimming experience. Your encouragement and expertise enabled both John and I to gain new skills and confidence in the water, doing, in my case things I never thought possible in just 4 days. A real life-changer for me for all of the right reasons. We both enjoyed being ‘learners’ and have gained insight into personalised learning – a real passion of mine! Also to experience such quality team-teaching was a privilege… We both promise to keep ‘relaxed in water’ from now on." Annwen and John, London " Something of a low-key evangelist, Ian is dedicated to introducing the masses to the pleasures of recreational swimming. Using touchstones gleaned from his experience of teaching the Alexander Technique, he coaxes and gently encourages, helping the non-swimmer and swimmer to feel more at home in the water." Pete Chapman, The Independent |
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