In March of 2013 I visited the Sanctuary in Paradise Valley. Good friends had recommended it. They knew I would love the sun and the beauty and the warmth of Paradise Valley and of the Sanctuary. They also knew that I, as a lifelong swimmer, would be enticed by the prospect of taking lessons from resident swim instructor, Misty Hyman.

I immodestly say that I have always considered myself a good swimmer. Swimming has always been my preferred and primary form of exercise. I was raised in and on the water and am entirely comfortable in it. I consider myself a lucky guy to love the water as I do. At age 67, I have not had a real swimming lesson since my college. After making my reservation for a week’s stay, I immediately scheduled one class with Misty for the day after my arrival. I had few expectations and decided to remain open to the experience. I had thought that I would like to learn the mechanics of the butterfly from one of the great champions of the stroke. As my lesson loomed I found myself keyed up and even nervous but I had made the commitment, I forged ahead. I introduced myself and immediately Misty put me at ease, she is absolutely charming, we talked, I explained what I thought I wanted to accomplish, and then we got down to it. After a down and back free demo, we began.

Misty is a brilliant teacher. There is no other way to state the obvious. We began at the beginning, with the most basic exercises, floating, buoyancy, chest position and most important for me hip and bum position. The mechanics of water position are crucial and Misty explained every aspect of the essentials in the clearest and most logical manner. Her method is amazing. Her instruction is specific and intelligent. She demonstrated from the side of the pool, she talked, I listened and then I did my best to do what she told me to do. I floated, I pushed my chest down, I pushed my hips up, I did what she told me to do and then as I began to get it, I supplied bio-feedback. I am supposed to be a good swimmer but I was amazed at the clarity of it all and the immediate difference I felt in the water. The hour flew by. As soon as I was out of the pool, I scheduled another class for the next day. As I spent the afternoon and next morning practicing, I felt like a guppy, but it was fun and it was transformational. In the second lesson we picked it right up and built on the first. As difficult as it was to break old habits, Misty gave me the keys and also the desire to be a more empowered swimmer. We added a better arm position and then we rebuilt the correct up-to-date Olympic kick. While it remained difficult to put all the parts together, I was determined and Misty was ever encouraging and relentlessly positive. I scheduled one final lesson in which we built on and reinforced the first two. We never did get to the butterfly but I have a pro freestyle. It is an amazing feeling. We discussed what I could do for myself on my own. She told me to be patient and she told me that it was going to take time, weeks, to begin to feel that I had it. I returned home and slowly added distance to my new stoke. It was a slow process. Misty had predicted that and, she was, of course, correct. Always referring to her instruction in 4 weeks I felt completely comfortable and empowered.

This spring I returned to the Sanctuary. I was naturally nervous. I did not want to let Misty down. She was pleased, she is far too charming and nice to say otherwise, but she did in fact give me every positive indication that I was a much better swimmer. And then she set up a new group of challenges. We spent 1 ½ lessons refining my arm mechanics and kick. And finally, in another 1 ½ lessons she gave me the basics of an Olympic style breaststroke. I had never understood the breaststroke, but as a master instructor Misty took me through the entire stroke, building patiently as she had with my free. The process is simply fascinating. And now I have the breast to keep me working and engaged as I want to be.

Misty’s teaching method is applicable to all swimmers and not just to a swimming wonk like me. I saw her working with all skill levels. She is a brilliant instructor. Her skills as a communicator and cheer leader and instructor are Olympian. My swimming lessons were transformational. After a lifetime in the water, I now look like a real pro and I am personally recharged and more enthusiastic about the sport than ever. Nothing could be more empowering and more affirming than to improve and recharge. The challenge was thrilling and the results were also. I am quite sure that I could not have had the same experience with another teacher, no matter how competent. It had everything to do with Misty herself. I am a forever fan!

Swimming Transformed

Misty first worked with my daughter, Emma, at the Sanctuary Resort. Emma was an eleven-year-old swimmer with promise and some age group success in The United Kingdom. The time with Misty transformed her technique and her self-confidence and I believe was an important influence in the considerable success Emma has had at Junior National level.

I was so impressed with her approach and ability to translate her teaching to young swimmers that I organized for Misty to come to present at a number of swimming clubs in the United Kingdom. She presented to groups large and small, combining a fantastically inspiring short presentation with in pool demonstrations and work groups. I witnessed her hold the rapt attention of nearly 200 children aged 10 -18 for almost 2 hours with fantastic feedback after the event.

Misty’s story is inspiring, her teaching clear and effective, and her smile is infectious. I cannot recommend her enough.

Anonymous

“Misty is certainly the most humble but bubbly celebrity of any kind that I have ever met. She was a joy to be around. I had an absolutely awesome time at her clinic.”

a self-proclaimed, “late-comer to the sport of swimming”

“Thank you again for the clinic. I got back in the pool and I was significantly faster than prior to the clinic. My sprint times were between 5-7 seconds faster than usual. I cannot wait to keep practicing with the underwater stuff.”

John
Phoenix

"Let’s put it in these terms… I was able to chat with Steph after I got home from a show that kept me away nearly all day on Sunday. She talked my ear off for nearly ½ hour ALL about the clinic. She was particularly intrigued by the mathematical formula and way to figure out how to maximize each length as well as how to calculate the impact on her time inevitably. She talked in detail about how Misty worked her breaths while on the block and while in a race. She talked about the MIT studies and how they used the findings of how fish swim through water to maximize how Misty was to do the same. She gave me details on how Misty worked carefully with her coaches to break ground on these techniques. And on and on… I have not heard her talk so much about 1 subject recently. It was VERY fun to see the wheels turning as to how she hopes this can/will impact her swimming."

Cindy
Swim Mom

"I just want to say that even though I was not at all of the clinic, I can tell you without a doubt that according to my kids, it was the best yet! They both got a lot out of it and I know they will both continue to do so as well!"

Anonymous

"Dominique raved about the dolphin clinic yesterday. She was inspired by Misty's story about being the underdog and winning the Gold! Dominique has now set some new goals for herself and is feeling more motivated. We really appreciate you organizing these amazing swimmers to come talk to our swimmers. We feel very fortunate to be able to have such special clinics. So Thank you!!"

Laura
Swim Mom

"Matt has always enjoyed clinics, but both Joe and I commented how he has never come home and been so detailed and full of information. He is a kid who loves Science/facts etc. and he gave us every detail on how your body should move and why. How it works better this way and not another way, etc. He also said I wish every clinic had us go in the classroom for a lesson. I think he felt cool being in the High School desk and classroom. :) Well worth the cost and time! THANK YOU!"

Gina
Swim Mom