Roger Golten

BA(Hons.) Cert. Hellerwork, Dip. Shaw Method Swimming, ASA.

At the age of 28 Roger had an agonising lower back problem which changed his life. He travelled to California to train with former Rolf Institute President Joseph Heller and was one of the first 50 practitioners, & the first non-American, to qualify in Hellerwork. Hellerwork is an powerful combination of Structural Integration, using myo-fascial bodywork to improve the overall structure of the body, and coaching in movement & awareness to keep & improve the results over time.

Since 1983 Roger estimates he has done more than 25,000 hours of treatments with over 2,000 clients at practices in London and Herts. Whilst doing research for his book The Owners Guide to the Body, which was published in 1999, Roger came across Steven Shaw and traded swimming lessons for Hellerwork. Swimming soon became Roger's favourite pastime and in 2006 he did a year long Diploma to become an accredited Shaw Method Teacher and started sharing his enthusiasm with his clients and others.

Roger's Shaw Method applies principles of Hellerwork & The Alexander Technique to swimming. The Shaw Method of swimming can transform your relationship with your body and your experience of moving through water. It cultivates a fine balance between power, grace and efficiency, breaking each stroke down into a series of progressive movements which enable pupils to work on the essential elements of the stroke and to unlearn unhelpful habits. Hands-on direction, demonstrations, dry land exercises and clear verbal guidance are combined in an innovative form of instruction.

Whatever your ability or age or confidence level, the Shaw Method principles can integrate the whole person in their swimming, bringing a rare harmony and a meditative quality to the experience of being in the water. It is an opportunity to develop core swimming skills and explore aquatic movement in a positive learning environment. General body awareness is developed, promoting good alignment while minimising the risk of strain or injury and it is a simple way to develop core stability, range of movement (flexibility), and endurance as well as mindfulness, coordination, balance & relaxation.

The Shaw Method is a great way for adults to go from non-swimming, or poor or average swimming, to excellent swimming in an enjoyable and creative way.

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