The Most Graceful Freestyle Swimming by Shinji Takeuchi

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

In TI freestyle, when you pull your arm, you enter another arm. So; 1) Right hand entry with left kick 2) Left hand pull with left kick Both mean the same. But if you look closely, I snap my leg first then I enter my hand. So the kick initiates my hip rotation, and my hip rotation accelerate extending my arm after entry. It is called "diagonal power".

[@doctortorello]

After all these years, still best swimming video on youtube

[@lauriecroad3186]

I eventually adopted my version of this, 4 years ago - bearing in mind that you cannot see yourself, and now, nearing 70, I get asked how it is done....The aspect that most seem to like is - the smoothness, no splashing, a balanced and slow kick, the "pull" and "glide", measured stroke, no rushing, enabling me to progress quickly (but not as quickly as the splashers and grunters who just want to race, to win). I still want to improve, to extend my endurance, to raise my workrate to a heart-strengthening pulse, to be as one with the water. Amazing feeling, pulsing and pulling with strength and grace in our second home, the water....thankyou, Shinji Takeuchi, for this series of videos, freely given, showing the real water lover how to swim with ease and peace.

[@rashidsheekeeye]

I can't get enough of this video. I keep coming back to it and watching it again and again. what a graceful swimming! It has changed my way of swimming and improved it. I used to waste a lot of energy and get tired quick.. Thank you Shinji, I am a better graceful freestyle swimmer because of this video. THANK YOU.. half of that 8 million views is me:)

[@datnguyen7494]

thank you! A month ago, I can't even swim 50 yards, but by looking and practicing like this style, now I can swim 1 mile nonstop with ease.

[@Liimiinaa]

Another “power” swimmer here - this makes me want to take up swimming again! It looks so appealing to move through water economically, with ease. A metaphor for how to live.

[@joshuargregg]

I started TI 2 weeks ago, I bought the 10 lesson DVD and it has already completely changed my swimming. I have always been a weak swimmer, panicky and constantly struggling. Today I practiced lesson 6 and everything just "clicked" I understand how to move in the water, how to use my core and feel within a few weeks I'll be swimming effortlessly. Buy the DVD, totally worth it! Best money I've spent in a long time.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

The most common Kaizen(opportunity of improvement) point about breathing is your head position. When you enter and spear your hand into the water, you tend to put your head together with your hand and that makes your head position lower. You always want to keep your head position beneath the surface even you do "angled" hand entry. To press the water by your chest instead of your head might work, too.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

I breathe every 3 strokes. When I breathe, I try not to raise my head, but to roll my body.

[@DrJellyfish]

The first time I saw this, I was amazed at how smooth Shinji is in the water. I thought it looked unreal, almost as if Shinji was being pulled through the water or something. After seeing this I have completely changed my style of swimming. Obviously I'm no where near as good as this, but it's helped me get my stroke count down from 52 to 37 (in a 50 m pool) - that's over about 5 months of practice... 2-3 times per week. Brilliant video - thanks!

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Very, very, very good question!! I do not pursue swimming faster for freestyle (I race breaststroke and IM) and my motto for freestyle is "The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection". I have at least 13 sensors built and they tell me if something is wrong. I still practice splash-less, bubble-less hand entry which only Terry can accomplish.

[@IHBBabe]

Having not swum for over 5 years, I was asked to do the swim leg in a triathlon with some friends. Due to work commitments, I had no time to train and was starting to panic I'd let my friends down. Thanks to Tim Ferris, I discovered total immersion swimming. I watched the videos, visualised, but only got to practice in the pool for 5 sessions before the race. I swam the open water 2km in 42 minutes, beat over half the field and wasn't even that tired at the end. With only 5 sessions in the pool in 5 years. Incredible. I've finally learnt to flow with the water, not fight against it. Thank you!

[@outlawcatcher1]

Love the story about Shinji, a 36 year overweight Japanese guy who decided to lose near enough 20lbs of weight and then went on to set a goal of being the most graceful swimmer in the world. With fve million views on uTube I guess he has achieved that goal. Thank you Shinji, you are my inspiration!

[@bridgetplunkett7630]

This is still one of my favourite videos on KZbin. Such grace and beauty in a swimmer. Thank you. April.2020.

[@gojolove]

Thank you Takeuchi San, by watching this video and other video of yours I now can swim 600m in open water ( I swam in Hawaii in May this year in front of outrigger canoe club beyond the breaks to the furthest windsocks and back), but less than a year ago, I had trouble to finish the 25mete in a pool! I have watched this video hundreds of times, every time, I feel I have learnt something I previous don't know. My next goal is to swim 1km and go from there. I swami for fitness, this video is perfect for me.

[@dawoodwaris]

Thats impressive. Try uploading videos of your swim plz

[@ericdanthon2]

I just started the TI training videos and hope to be able to swim in a few months. I can only do about 4 laps before this. Lets see how it works

[@AbhayaChandra]

you are awesome!

[@siddharthjoshi3037]

This is so peaceful to watch. I could watch it all day. You should see people in my society swimming pool, total chaos in pool. So much splash sometimes feels like 🌊

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Hi! Thanks for your comment. I started TI breststroke almost 6 years ago. After 3 years of practice, I expanded my TI swimming into freestyle. I was not a competitive swimmer when I was young, and I am not tall (170cm, 5′8"). I think this video proves everybody can swim like fish if he/she practices TI drills. My stroke count used to be 22 in 25m pool before TI, and it is 12 with proper tempo now.

[@cocothebassethound541]

I have watched this over 100+ times myself to imitate Shinji' TI techniques. LOVE IT!

[@videofan792]

Ten million views! And with good reason - you make it look so effortless and enjoyable! Thank you for motivating me to keep improving.

[@wuthiwasnumsangwanich1122]

After watch this VDO 13 yrs ago. It helps me a lot and today I watch again.

[@dragoncity99]

Thank you very much, after learning this swimming technique, I'm see myself swimming so smooth like a hot knife cutting through a butter. Not panicking problems, swimming further and longer and it's really fun. It feels awesome! :)

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

When you race, it is hard to submerge your head because there are more splashes and waves than usual. As long as your body gets balanced and your neck is relaxed, you do not have to submerge your head. I recommend you focus on 1)shifting your center of gravity forward with your recovery, 2)using your hip to accelerate your rotation.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Yes, it is one of reasons why this method is called "Total Immersion". Total Immersion pursues efficiency. It can be utilized for longer swim, faster swim and more graceful swim.

[@pudin74]

I found the video a few years ago.. but never get to scroll down n read comments.. shinji's responds are priceless.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

The sequence is as follows: 1) Snap your leg 2) Roll your hips 3) Twist your torso 4) Spear your hand in the water So I do not focus on pulling my hand.

[@17nghitruong]

still watch this video in 2019

[@rebl1671]

a few years ago i came across this video and my swimming has never been the same since. i still return to appreciate shinji-sans graceful swimming

[@nysurdatu5012]

Beautiful to watch . All I knew as I child was to swim fast freestyle on my swim team . Now, as an adult I am teaching myself this smooth style of freestyle . It’s like learning to swim all over

[@doreenlloyd3204]

Hi I watch this video nearly every day before I go swimming. I am trying to copy the stoke, not doing too bad.. I think it's the best video of the freestyle I have ever seen. Thank you.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Konbanwa(PST). Using core body to get propulsion is the key to long distance swimming. Use your hip rotation to roll your body, then use your rolling torso to extend your arm in the water. 2 beat kick is also important. For open water swimming, to swim straight is crucial. Watch your hand entry and make it parallel to your long axis(head to toe).

[@matteo2211]

basically Shinji, there are no questions left with both bird perspective and underwater perspective. Excellent video and work you are providing here. Many many thanks to you! Warm regards from Berlin, Germany, Matthias

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

@swimust, When you snap, your elbow will work as the fulcrum of it, so it is natural you cannot loosen both the elbow and the wrist at the same time. More importantly, you initialize the recovery action by moving your elbow forward, not moving it up.The direction defines how you move your palm underwater when you snap it.

[@wafaisam1489]

love love love have been revisiting this for the past decade😍

[@puangkaewdangsomsaard6898]

Hi Shinji I began lean swimming 1 year ago (43 year old) while leaning I'm watching your vedio everyday. Thank you for your advice. Now I'm feel so good. My teacher told,my freestyls swimming is beatiful!

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Congratulations! You can feel the difference when you are doing the right thing. That's the beauty of TI method. Keep working with fine tuning points, and you will have more sensors which improve your swim.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Hip rotation is coordinated with twisting torso and hand extension. And the hip rotation is triggered by snapping legs. So the power is conveyed from back to forward.

[@garrywilliams9513]

Never get tired of watching this!

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Good point. I do not look down but look 45 degree angle ahead. I teach TI beginners to look down, but once your body gets balanced , you do not have to keep looking down. My head angle is made with retracting my neck like a turtle so that it does not affect my balance.

[@tr4nh4nh]

I saw this clip more than 1 year ago and have been watching this day by day, before and after each swimming session (shame, just 2-3 sessions per week and there was a big gap time from end of last year till this month). In today session, I can feel the feelings of kicking like this, and I really feel my breath, my movement better than ever :D That makes me finish double of my usual distance. Thank you so much for posting this clip.

[@xtinana]

A friend took us to the pool to try this technique because he came back from overseas having learned it. For the first time in my life I feel I can actually swim. Thank you, Thank you.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

I normally use right side to avoid splash and wave made by other swimmers. When I swim solo, I use 3 stroke 1 breath cycle to keep my body movement symmetrical. Firstly, try to exhale all of your air in 4.5 seconds in the water without swimming. You might find hard to do it. If you do, try use your vocal cord (say AAAAAA) when you exhale through your mouth. Try exhale more when you enter your hands to create more power.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

@Dee3917, When you try to decrease your stoke count from 20s to 16-18, slippery position works better. When you try to decrease it to 12-14, you need more propulsion, which comes from your hip drive and underwater finish (hand pushing in the water).

[@orheao]

This is the video that made me want to study TI. Awesome technique!

[@nicep3rson]

I watched your video for the first time two years ago^^. Your video helped me to build my basic swimming skills. I was watching it again and again and whenever i could in order to find out why you can swim perfectly. At that time, I couldn't swim. But i can swim well now. Thanks Takeuchi!

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Hi! Thanks for your comment. I try not to decelerate by increasing drag from the water. I used to look down when I swim but I do not do it anymore because I can keep my balance without looking down. To reduce drag is very important when you swim like fish with TI methods.

[@valentinecamp1276]

This is by far the very best freestyle I have ever seen. Can't wait to go to the pool tomorrow. Thank you so much for posting this video 🏊

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

@swimust , 1) The moment my wrist is submerged, I start to move my forearm. My elbow is slightly turned inward and kept the position, and my wrist is relaxed so that I can hold the water more with less energy. 2)The moment my elbow is submerged, I push the water back with my forearm, but I engage upper arm and shoulder to do it. My palm is mainly relaxed, and slightly engaged to keep the shape.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

@Ghazzani, The kick synchronizes with body rotation. This way is more efficient when you swim longer.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

If you have any questions about my swim, please let me know.

[@dosazsolt9725]

+Shinji Takeuchi I kept doing this technique, but i feel no difference or much relief, i still get tired after 25 m, so where is the problem? i can swim 1000 m but only with 25 m break, not continously nomatter which technique I use, so what am I doing wrong?

[@gie594]

hello sir. i want to ask you something. when u breathe is there a water goes into your mouth? because when i'm breathing the water always goes into my mouth.

[@shanerice2976]

how do you maintain such good tempo and balance when you are over gliding?

[@meditating010]

How do you stay calm and relaxed in water and develop that rhythm of kicks and hand moving forward - I think that has to do with your breathing

[@zissou6928]

Hi, how close are your times to top competitors?

[@pharmacistv]

I used total immersion to learn to swim, and I remember watching this video aged 19. I love the book and this video. Now I'm in my 30s!

[@tyogas3891]

mr shinji please help me. ur swimming style insane! more basic video , technique, detail, please. i hope can swimming like this 😭

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

It is a combination of 2, 3 and 4 stroke breathing. 4 for keeping rhythm, 3 for relaxing the right side of my neck muscle and 2 for taking more air.

[@Kum4oWyl4o]

This is a ground-breaking, inspiring and perhaps a life-changing video! Thanks for sharing, Shinji-san, a great teaching tool!

[@citoyenxy7959]

فيديو يلخص كل تقنيات استاذ تاكايوشي. اتدرب منذ حوالي ٣ أشهر على السباحة حسب تقنيتك total immersion. الآن تحسنت كثيرا و أصبحت أسبح لمدة أطول دون عياء. تحياتي لك استاذ من مدينة بني ملال بالمغرب.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

I exhale 60% of the air while I enter my hands. I exhale 20% of the air through my nose when I roll my body and face to breathe, then I blow the rest through my mouth to clear the water.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Good observation. Since you do not have to think about rhythm for the initial pull, you can pull wider and longer than regular ones. It is the only moment you focus on pulling. You will focus on entering your hands later.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

You can see the timing of the 2 beat kick by watching this video. I snap my left leg when I extend my right arm. My kick is like snapping my legs and it comes from "slightly bent knees".

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

@timnet88, As I mentioned below, you will enter your hands a bit wider where current shoulder line (parallel to your moving direction) exists. This is because you roll your body after you enter your hand. If you enter your hand on the current shoulder line, you have to extend outward as your body rolls.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Congratulations! "Think and Feel" is the most important when you practice. Try to think just one focal point and feel the result.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

@kcw118, First you want to try Superman Glide with snaps. Every 1.30 second you will snap one foot with the glide position. Second you try to extend your opposite hand by 6 inches at each snap. After that, you just do one switch with one snap. The timing of the snap is not when you enter your hand, but when you extend the elbow.

[@francbryson8315]

I keep coming back to this video ... A) To get inspired and B) to see if I'm any closer to understanding this technique! ...It really is helping me improve!

[@kevinosaka639]

Congratulations on 10 million views!

[@catbate]

I did ti swimming about 3 years ago and it's amazing. I am only 1.63m and regularly swim 50m in 32 strokes I feel like I'm flying!!!

[@yamabushi170]

Just from watching this video, over two swimming sessions of approximately one and a half hours each I reduced my 25m time from about 35 seconds to 25 seconds, even though my technique is still very rough, and I'm having to learn to coordinate my breathing once again. Thank you for providing this clip, it has been extremely informative.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

1) You might rotate too much. When you do skating drill, you tend to rotate 90 degrees to get balanced. When you swim whole stroke, you do not have rotate because you have to switch your side. 2)TI does not focus on pulling. Try to focus on entering your hand instead of pulling. Your extended arm will work as an anchor and your body pass it through.

[@flatbedladyv2191]

I swam for the first time on the 23rd..it was amazing to finally understand staying on the water...i will improve so i can do a half triathlon next year

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

@Macro934 , I loosen my knees to bend my legs, then I straighten them with downward motion immediately. There is no "drive" point in my mind. I just snap my legs.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Kicking above the surface of water tends to occur if your recovery takes too much time so legs have to wait somewhere. As kobac mentions, over rotation is one of reasons for slow recovery. I recommend to use Tempo Trainer to solve the problem. Try to use 1.4 sec per stroke and reduce the tempo by 0.02 to find your best tempo.

[@mhonnyks]

wow, not a lot of kicking yet very fast and smooth, very efficient stroke, thanks!

[@attorneysdotcom]

I've watched this video at least 50 times. Every time before swimming practices for inspiration

[@jasonfinney6597]

Awesome! So fluid and streamlined. I've got to learn that kick!

[@arwingracilla1427]

Yeah

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

That is very important point. Both the point of entry and the timing of entry are crucial to create more powerful and efficient propulsion. As for Tempo Trainer, I try to synchronize as follows;1st-push off, 2nd-glide, 3rd-left hand pull, 4th-left hand entry, 5th-right hand entry.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

@swimust "Hip drive" is not the most important when you swim short distances(25-200meters). It will be more important when you swim longer, because you rely on "core engine" more to save energy.

[@JoeDelaney64]

after watching this video I purchased Ultra Efficient Freestyle, you make it look so easy Singi..I need to work hard on my body balance..awesome swimming

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

@swimust I finish my snap when I finish extending my arm. That means I start to "crack" my knee after I enter my hand in the water.

[@adjanic]

Just wanted to say that there were many times over the past few years that I didn't have the privilege of having access to a pool but I was always swimming along with you as in this video. Cheers.

[@VictorHugoOrregoRoldan]

Obsessed with this style. Amazing.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

The angle of body rotation is not controlled by changing it, but got as a result of motions and positions of your body parts. Check how deep/straight you extend your arms, where your elbows reach the highest position and how wide you kick.

[@ahmednabil9914]

it's water moving through water. what a beautiful thing elite athletes are!

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Yes, and quick rotation can be used for both longer stroke (lower stroke count) and faster stroke.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Yes, you are right. My efficiency has been improved, and my speed was increased as a result. My muscular strength is decreasing since I am getting old... So speed increase comes from efficiency.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Good question. It does not have the effect directly, but it helps to roll my hips and twist my torso, which creates "spear-motion" with propulsion.

[@MrTuireland]

You can hardly see his catch to breathe Awesome

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

2)When you rotate, try to focus on your hip instead of your shoulders. Degrees of rotation vary based on how fast you swim. 3)You may cross-enter your hands. Your hands enter on rails parallel to your center line.

[@Mothertoebeans]

He swims better than most fish

[@acquymatdien]

i watch your video everytime when i prepare to go to the pool ^^!, you help me a lot

[@24h0peMC]

If I could swim like this, Id really impress my coach

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

@drumbuddha, 1) Yes, it is. It is the most efficient way. It may not be the fastest way for short distances, though. 2) Try to look down and release your neck muscle. Your head almost looks submerged. Keep your elbow high until you enter your hands. Inhale more by using abdominal breathing method.

[@GabiRav]

Can you please make same video, but camera under water with explanation instead of music?

[@CommodoreCate]

+Gabi Ravhon Yes, that would be useful.

[@leokuan3676]

thank you for the tip. I just did 10 laps (50m regulation pool) in a row today, wow that felt great, it's the most I've done my whole life! and what's amazing is that I could barely do one lap two months ago.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

I start to roll my body AND my face when I spear my arm. The timing will be a bit late if you roll your face when you pull.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

Good question. If you enter your hands toward the center line, the force from the side will be produced(by vector analysis). It will cause your body twisted. That is why your hand entry should keep tracks.

[@ravi28948]

Fantastic, streamlined swimming. Wish I could swim like that!!

[@foxgeek]

this is so graceful, it brings tears to my eyes watching it!!!! What an amazing demonstration of human capability.

[@dharaduttpandey5442]

Initially I was able to swim hardly 50 n get exhausted.after study you and TI now swim almost 2000 mtr daily in a hr

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

1) When you skate (please refer TI drills), stop your kick and snap the bottom side of your legs and roll your hips. It will tell how to coordinate your snap with the hip roll. 2) I breathe every 2 or 3 stroke. At 1:14, you can see I am breathing every 3 stroke.

[@numbernine8571]

Watch from 1:29 how he places his hand in the water with no splash or disturbance. Notice that there are no bubbles around his hands underwater. He does not disturb the water and he does not create any air pockets.

[@ShinjiTakeuchi]

You are absolutely right. It is not how far you rotate your hips, but how quick you rotate your hips. It is much easier than focusing on pulling your arms.

[@sabineschnier3775]

I am amazied by the leg kick...

[@timnet88]

At last! Its always good to go back and read comments from 2 years ago! You said this: "I use the follwoing focal points for arm recovery. - Hands do nothing - Elbows lead hands - Wide track." I was doing narrow tracks entering my palm between shoulder and head! Many thanks Shinji.