Archive for the ‘Kaizen’ Category

Lessons in Mastery from Mikaela Shiffrin
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 16th, 2014

This week, if you watch the Winter Olympics–and pay little attention to skiing between Olympiads–you’ll be introduced to a remarkable young woman named Mikaela Shiffrin. Last year at  17 she won the world slalom championship. This season she attained almost unprecedented dominance in her specialty in World Cup races. To give some perspective to Shiffrin’s […]

SAME Strokes for Different Folks
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on November 20th, 2013

Different strokes for different folks is a seldom-questioned axiom among old-school swim coaches. It says that people with different body types and goals should use widely varying styles. Put another way, anything goes when it comes to form. This week’s webinar will feature three swimmers who make a persuasive case for a very different–even revolutionary–credo: Same Strokes for Different […]

How Efficient Is Your Freestyle?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on November 8th, 2013

If you regularly read my posts you’re probably aware of the DARPA study which showed that human swimmers are only 3% efficient–as compared to the 80% efficiency of dolphins.  (I.E. Dolphins convert 80% of energy expenditures into forward motion; in contrast humans divert 97% of energy into moving around in the water and moving the […]

Fail better. It’s that simple.
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on September 6th, 2013

I’ve written many times that among the characteristics of those who excel in many fields is they do not fear or shrink from failure.  In fact, when they practice their discipline, they almost always plan it to include a form of difficulty or challenge that will ensure some kind of failure, or reveal a weak […]

Video: The BEAUTY of Effortless. The SKILL of Slow.
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on August 1st, 2013

The liveliest thread on the TI Discussion Forum at the moment is titled ‘a question about continuance.’ with, as of this morning, 59 posts, which have drawn over 1300 views. What’s curious about this thread is that the initial query was about how to swim faster, yet the bulk of discussion has centered on various forms […]

See the World’s Most Ageless Swimmer
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on March 15th, 2013

Paul Lurie — the “Nonagenarian Shinji’

Focus = Bliss.
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on March 1st, 2013

Practicing Focal Points is as good for your brain as it is for your stroke and psyche.

How to Create Enduring (Muscle) Memories
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on February 22nd, 2013

New skills must be integrated with the brain’s existing circuits. Here’s how you can accelerate that process.

What is Success in TI Swimming?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on January 25th, 2013

For TI coaches, the measure of success is how many ‘ordinary’ people we can help have EXTRAORDINARY swim experiences.

A ‘Recipe’ for Successful 2013 Resolutions
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 28th, 2012

Small is beautiful, Focus on Process. Embrace the Imperfect. Be happier today. The recipe for successful resolutions.