@Ghaidaa Jubail Almost in the similar situation. I can swim 25 meters or more non stop, also relaxed, in shallow water. But in deep water, after couple of strokes, fear kicks in and breathing rhythm is lost. Practicing without companion or instructor is not possible and finding one every time is not easy. @Jeff Wood any suggestion would be appreciated.

I was just wondering if you could share some detailed steps on how to check the level of relaxation, since it seems to be such a key part of the practice. I'd really appreciate any tips or guidance you could offer!

@Goutam Chakraborty Few days ago I had asked similar question. And Coach @Jeff Wood was kind enough to create this https://youtu.be/tqPd6TGIpfE?si=04MxkZFngdluGXbM From the comments, it sounds like it helped many.

My struggle is that my head shoots up pretty high – just like in your video! The only difference is, I can’t pause myself like your video . Would be handy to just go “Freeze!” head position for a second or two and breathe. My excuse? I’m kind of half exhaling, inhaling and my head’s like, “Let’s go – up or down, but definitely not staying still or Horizontal " !

Another big difference I’ve noticed between traditional swim schools and your approach is the way you break down every skill to the micro level. It’s something I really appreciated throughout the Shallow Water Mastery series — each movement, each step is explained with so much clarity and intention. Rather than rushing to teach full strokes right away, you focus on building true understanding from the ground up. It’s not just about the what or the how, but really the why behind each skill, and that has made a huge difference in how I’m learning. What also stands out to me is how you always demonstrate from the perspective of a beginner. You don’t assume your students already know what something should feel like or how it should look — you show the struggles, the adjustments, the small wins — and that makes the learning process feel so much more relatable and achievable. It creates a space where it’s okay to take your time, to be a work in progress, and to trust that mastering the basics is not only enough — it’s everything. Kudos to you for creating such a thoughtful and supportive way of teaching. It’s made a huge impact on how I see and experience the water.

@Meredith Barrington I have certain level of skill to put my face in water. Here's a video from few days ago: https://www.skool.com/caribeswim/what-is-holding-you-back?p=879b520a

@Meredith Barrington Hi Coach Mer, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging message — it really resonated with me and gave me a lot to reflect on. I’ve completed the Shallow Water Mastery course and have been consistently practicing the breaststroke kick in shallow water. I only use fins when I’m in deep water, and even then, only with a basic freestyle kick — never for breaststroke. I completely understand now how important it is to build that foundational feel for the water, and I appreciate the reminder. I’ll work on getting a video filmed in shallow water soon so you can get a better idea of where I’m at and how things are progressing. I’ve noticed that my breaststroke kick feels super slow, but I’ve been intentionally keeping my focus on staying relaxed and calm in the water, rather than on speed. I’ll continue practicing with the intention you mentioned — quality, mindful repetitions — until the movement becomes automatic and I no longer have to think through each step. I’m committed to not rushing the process and allowing the skill to develop with confidence and clarity. Thank you again for all of your support and guidance — it means the world. Looking forward to continuing this journey with your help. With gratitude, Rajanish