Private adult swimming lessons in London with the Shaw method
Discover the Art of Effortless and Joyful Swimming
Join our private adult swimming lessons in London and learn to move with ease, build confidence, and transform your swimming experience through the mindful, injury-free Shaw Swimming Method.
What is the Shaw Method?
Private Adult Swimming Lessons in London with a Difference
Traditional swimming techniques often create tension, leading to inefficient movement and strain. The Steven Shaw Swimming Method, inspired by the Alexander Technique, helps swimmers move with ease, efficiency, and confidence. Whether you’re refining your stroke or overcoming fear of water or just looking for private adult swimming lessons in London, our mindful approach transforms how you swim.
Why Shaw Method Swimming Lessons Are the Best Choice for Adults in London
The Shaw Method goes beyond standard technique by teaching adults how to release tension, move with ease and feel at home in the water. Blending the Alexander Technique with mindful, confidence-building teaching, our private adult swimming lessons in London are designed to help you breathe more freely, find better balance, and swim without strain — no matter your starting point.
Here’s what our clients say about their adult swimming lessons
Have you attended one of our private adult swimming lessons in London recently? We’re proud to share the positive feedback we receive from swimmers across our London venues. Here’s a look at what our clients are saying about their experience with Art of Swimming:
Teacher, cleanliness, administration
No complaints- very satisfied
Class at maximum capacity
Thank you
Find Private Adult Swimming Lessons in London
Find Adult Swimming Lessons in London
Golders Green
A quiet, clean, and warm space ideal for all levels.
Putney
A private, comfortable pool for mindful learning.
Would you like a private adult swimming lesson on a specific stroke using the Shaw Method?
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced swimmer refining your technique, our private adult swimming lessons in London can focus on the stroke you most want to improve. Each lesson uses the Shaw Method — a mindful, body-aware approach that helps adults learn without strain, build confidence and swim with ease.
Front Crawl: Learn to Breathe, Glide & Move with Ease
Shaw Method front crawl lessons help you develop balanced breathing, smooth rotation and effortless forward momentum. Perfect for lane swimmers, improvers and anyone who wants to feel more in control in the water.
Backstroke: Build Confidence, Alignment & Calm
Backstroke is one of the most relaxing strokes — once it feels safe and natural. Our adult-focused Shaw Method lessons help you refine balance, body position and smooth rotation so you feel confident floating and moving on your back.
Breaststroke: Kinder on the Body, Powerful in the Water
Many adults swim breaststroke with unnecessary strain in the neck, hips or knees. With the Shaw Method, you’ll learn a healthier, more efficient breaststroke that protects your joints, improves timing and helps you move with rhythm and ease.
Butterfly Swimming Stroke: Learn a Smooth, Energy-Efficient Technique
Butterfly Swimming Stroke is often seen as the toughest stroke, but the Shaw Method teaches a gentle, wave-like version that works beautifully for adults. Learn to coordinate movement, reduce strain and discover a fluid butterfly that feels surprisingly natural.
Frequently asked questions about private adult swimming lessons in London
How long does it take for an adult to learn to swim confidently?
Most adults can learn the fundamentals of swimming within 4–8 lessons, but progress varies depending on confidence, previous experience and how often you practice.
With the Shaw Method, our private adult swimming lessons in London focus on reducing tension and building calm, steady confidence. This often helps adults progress more quickly than they expect.
Are private adult swimming lessons in London suitable for people with fear of water?
Yes. A large number of the adults we teach arrive with some level of anxiety or fear of water.
The Shaw Method is designed specifically with adult learners in mind. We use gentle, step-by-step progressions so you feel safe, supported and never rushed. Many of our teachers specialise in confidence-building and water-phobia work.
How much do private adult swimming lessons cost in London?
Prices for private adult swimming lessons in London typically range from £35–£60 per lesson, depending on the teacher, pool hire and session length.
At the Art of Swimming Academy, our pricing reflects small group sizes, warm-water pools and highly trained Shaw Method teachers who specialise in working with adults.
Do you offer private adult swimming lessons at your London pools?
Yes. We offer private and semi-private adult swimming lessons at our main London venue, the Art of Swimming Academy in Golders Green.
The pool is warm, calm and ideal for adult learning, and all lessons follow the Shaw Method – a mindful, body-aware approach that helps you learn safely and effectively.
Can adults take beginner, intermediate and advanced swimming lessons?
Absolutely. Our programmes are designed for adults at every level, including:
- complete beginners and nervous swimmers
- water-confidence and phobia courses
- technique improvement for front crawl, breaststroke and backstroke
- fitness and endurance for lane swimmers
- pain-aware swimming for back, neck and joint issues
Wherever you are starting from, we can help you take the next step with confidence.
What should I bring to my first adult swimming lesson?
To make the most of your lesson, we recommend bringing:
- a towel and a pair of flip-flops
- comfortable swimwear
- a padlock for the lockers (if needed at the venue)
- swimming goggles and a cap (optional but often helpful)
If you are unsure about anything, we will happily advise you before your first session.
Can adult swimming lessons improve my technique even if I already know how to swim?
Definitely. Many adults come to us because they feel tired, uncomfortable or “stuck” with their current technique.
Shaw Method lessons help you refine your strokes, improve breathing, reduce effort and increase efficiency. Whether you want a smoother front crawl, kinder breaststroke or more relaxed backstroke, private adult swimming lessons can make a big difference.
Are your private adult swimming lessons in London good for fitness and weight loss?
Yes. Swimming is a low-impact, full-body workout that supports cardiovascular health, strength and mobility.
By improving your technique with the Shaw Method, you move more efficiently in the water, which helps you build stamina, enjoy your sessions more and get a better overall workout for fitness or weight loss.
Is it too late for me to learn to swim as an adult?
No. It is never too late. Many of our swimmers start in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.
Adults often learn faster than they expect once they feel safe, understood and supported. Our teaching is specifically designed for adults who may carry tension, fear or unhelpful habits from the past.
What makes the Shaw Method different from traditional swimming lessons?
The Shaw Method combines mindful movement, breath awareness and the Alexander Technique to help adults swim without strain.
Instead of pushing harder, we focus on balance, alignment and ease in the water. This makes our private adult swimming lessons in London particularly effective for people with anxiety, stiffness or previous negative experiences in the pool.
Looking for Children’s Swimming Lessons?
We’ve partnered with GetSetGo—a vibrant family-friendly swim school with pools based in North and South West London. If you’re looking for expert-led swimming lessons for babies, toddlers, or children, GetSetGo offers a fun, supportive environment tailored to young swimmers.
Enquire now to find out more and we’ll connect you directly.
