Brian Holliday Launches Virtual Swimming Coaching Sessions
The Portland author applies the Alexander Technique to help swimmers reduce tension through remote sessions.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Swimming
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Portland resident and author Brian Holliday is now offering swimming coaching sessions via Zoom. The 54-year-old former IT professional focuses on the Alexander Technique to help swimmers improve their mind and body awareness in the water.
Why it matters
Holliday’s approach centers on learning through play and intentional breathing to relieve physical tension, offering a departure from traditional, instruction-heavy swim training.
Coach Brian Holliday, 54, brings his experience from London to Portland, where he previously maintained a personal swimming regimen of five days per week. The effectiveness of his remote-coaching model for various skill levels is still being measured.
The players
Brian Holliday
A 54-year-old Portland-based author and former London IT worker who applies the Alexander Technique to swimming instruction.
The details
Holliday, who moved to Portland in August 2026, details his methods in his book, Why Front Crawl Feels Hard. His virtual coaching sessions emphasize mind and body awareness, focusing on movement and breathing patterns rather than traditional stroke instruction. By applying the Alexander Technique, he aims to help swimmers identify and reduce stress and tension in the body while they are in the water.
Timeline
August 2026: Brian Holliday moved to Portland.
October 28, 2026: The current status of the coaching program is confirmed.
Beyond the Bridges
This program applies the Alexander Technique, a methodology traditionally used for posture and movement efficiency, to the specific challenges of swimming. It extends the reach of this long-standing movement practice into the city's aquatic community through a digital coaching format.
Portlanders interested in adjusting their swim technique can book remote sessions with Holliday to work on their breathing and form from home. The program is designed for those looking to shift from rigid instruction to a more play-based, stress-relieving approach in the pool.
The takeaway
Holliday focuses on mind-body awareness to help swimmers move more fluidly and with less tension. Readers can look for his book, Why Front Crawl Feels Hard, for deeper insight into his specific technical philosophy.
Further reading
Learn more about the local aquatic community by visiting Swimming.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dorset Echo.
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