Archive for the ‘Kaizen’ Category

How Mindfulness Can Guarantee Improvement
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on January 2nd, 2010

Attention, self-perception, and even optimism are improvable skills that can be developed by targeted practice.

The Big Idea in Swimming for the Next Decade
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on January 1st, 2010

I predict: “How Swimming Changes Your Brain” will be the most important discovery of the coming decade. This post explains why.

Kicking: Is Downbeat or Upbeat more important?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 26th, 2009

On one of the swimming web sites, I found this statement: “The strength of the kick comes on the downbeat. Very little propulsion, if any, is generated with the upbeat of the kick.” I am curious to know if I should even be trying to get propulsion on the upbeat, or return stroke of the kick. Any thoughts?

Why – and How – Should you Swim Easy?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 19th, 2009

Why you should make Ease a central goal of your swimming – and 12 specific ways to swim better through ease.

Sample #1 of “Practices that Grow Brain Cells”
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 18th, 2009

Most distance and marathon swimmers believe the most important thing is to “get the yards in.” I believe there’s much unexplored potential in shorter, well-crafted practices that actually create more direct benefit than long grind-it-out sessions.

How Far Should You Swim?
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 17th, 2009

Most swim workouts on the web or in magazines prescribe fixed and formulaic repeat sets. They probably won’t work for you! Here’s how to design a personalized improvement program.

Free Air: How to Breathe Easier
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 16th, 2009

If you feel breathless, or lose form when breathing, it’s hard to swim any distance without tiring. Here is a stepwise series of 5 “stroke thoughts” that will have you breathing easier in crawl.

Why swimmers can improve with age.
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 15th, 2009

If you depend on effort and physical capacity, you will slow down with age. If you learn to “solve problems” you can continue improving almost indefinitely.

Learn from Direct Experience
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on December 15th, 2009

Principles for improving your swimming (and almost anything else you value). Don’t overthink. Seek new experience. Learn from it.

Swimming to Create Brain Cells
by Terry Laughlin

Posted on November 30th, 2009

Most of us exercise for the physical workout and benefits, but the real value is in how it creates new brain cells and strengthens neural networks.
The greatest number of new brain cells will result from swimming that’s acutely focused on improving skill.