Portland Coach Teaches Swimming Techniques Via Zoom

Former IT professional Brian Holliday now uses the Alexander Technique to help swimmers improve their form remotely.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Swimming

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a swimmer in motion, using fluid blue brush strokes to convey mindful underwater movement. — Portland-based swim coach Brian Holliday is utilizing the Alexander Technique to help athletes improve their swimming form through remote training sessions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Portland resident Brian Holliday is offering swimming coaching sessions through Zoom. He leverages the Alexander Technique to help clients refine their movement and breathing patterns.

Why it matters

The instruction method prioritizes learning through play and mind-body awareness to help participants relieve physical stress and tension while in the water.

Coach Brian Holliday is 54 years old and formerly worked in IT in London. He previously maintained a fitness routine that included swimming 5 days per week.

The players

Brian Holliday

Brian Holliday is a 54-year-old swimming coach and author who transitioned to aquatic instruction after a career in the London IT sector.

The details

Holliday, who authored the book Why Front Crawl Feels Hard, focuses his curriculum on cultivating a deeper connection between the mind, body, and water. His sessions move away from traditional instructional drills, instead utilizing play-based techniques to improve performance.

Brian Holliday relocated to Portland in August 2026.

Season Trajectory

This approach to swimming instruction challenges the standard industry reliance on rigid, repetitive drill sets. By integrating the Alexander Technique, the model shifts the focus toward long-term body awareness rather than short-term gains in speed.

Local swimmers can access professional form analysis via video call without needing a dedicated in-person session at a municipal pool. This methodology specifically targets athletes looking to mitigate physical tension developed during intense training blocks.

The takeaway

Emphasizing play over strict instruction may help swimmers overcome plateaus in their technique. Athletes should consider focusing on breath control and body awareness to improve comfort in the water.