Shane
2015-01-19, 23:38
We wanted to provide our son, Julian, a life long skill and appreciation for swimming. Julian loves being in the water, and under Mikhail's coaching is starting to develop basic swim strokes. In fact, it was humbling to observe Julian's transition from dog paddle to a 'big arm' stroke. The best part of Mikhail's swim class is that he recognizes that the class has to be fun for the kids - he ends every class by saying 'who's brave' meaning a shoulder jump and a high five.
M. Gorgas
2014-10-07, 10:47
I met Mikhail Iogman in the summer of 2014 when my 3-year old son started taking group swim lessons. I noticed Mikhail's teaching style rather quickly and watched with appreciation his use of engaging games to subtly introduce skills to the children, as well as his guidance to the parents on practice steps to do at home in the bathtub. It is this thoughtful approach that encouraged me to sign up for lessons as well. When I was 6 years old I sank in a pool after slipping out of an inner tube. That memory has stayed with me. As a 38 year old adult I could swim a short distance from point A to point B; but it wasn't pretty, I was exhausted, and my head and neck would never go into the water. I wanted to set a good example for my son and also learn a valuable skill that I knew would serve me well into the future - so I called Mikhail. During my first lesson he had me stand in the pool, put my face and goggles into the water, and blow bubbles. "I got this" I thought. "It's just bubbles" I thought. After the 3rd dunk I couldn't continue. Panic had set in, I struggled to control my breath, and the tears began to flow. After some basic drills with the kickboard, and my homework assignment to blow bubbles in the bathtub with my son, I headed home feeling embarrassed and defeated. I practiced at home with a big bowl of water on the counter, and followed his recommendation for 2x lessons a week. Within 3 lessons I was kicking while holding a kickboard and placing my face in the water. Within 6 lessons I was doing the backstroke and practicing freestyle arm strokes. Now, after only a few short months, I am swimming with my face in the water, alternating my face from side to side for breath, fine-tuning the timing of my arm strokes, and practicing a flip turn as I complete each lap. I wish I had a videotape of the demonstration lap I 'swam' for Mikhail during that first lesson in the pool to show how far I have come. For my son it is a lifelong survival skill, it is for me as well but it is also a personal journey – all testament to a great teacher and a willing student.
Max
2013-06-12, 12:44
Quality swimming for your children
It has been quite some time that I have been trying various swimming lessons for my 4 year old son, but every time I walked away disappointed. Everyone around me kept saying that I should lower my expectations, that swimming is a very gradual process and I shouldn’t be expecting my son to show progress right away.
I am glad I never gave up trying. It was purely by accident that I learned about Mikhail’s lessons at JCC and figured I would give them a shot, even though travelling from New York to Stamford was not ideal to say the least
After watching the first lesson, I knew that I would look no further. It is almost as if Mikhail knew right away how to find approach to my son and show me that immediate visible progress that I have been looking for all this time.
I will conclude with the following : If you are looking for QUALITY SWIMMING TRAINING vs. BABYSITTING IN THE POOL, you have come to the right place
David Misita
2013-03-22, 19:47
At the age of 34 I underwent major abdominal surgery, and as a result I became extremely de-conditioned. Having lost 50 lbs and a considerable amount of muscle along with it, I turned to swimming as a form of rehab. This is when I met Mikhail Iogman.
In my life, I had never swam beyond playing around in the pool, and certainly I had never tried it as a sport or form of exercise. And, in my state of poor health, I could barely swim two laps without gasping for air. So after a referral, I called Mikhail and explained that I already knew how not to drown, I wanted to learn how to swim.
Mikhail's calm, patient demeanor and expert instruction proved to be the perfect remedy for my condition. Within a few months, not only could I swim with ease and comfort, it became part of my life. I found myself counting my distances not in laps, but rather in miles! Other swimmers in the pool began asking me whether I swam competitively in college or high school!
Unlike most of the other swim coaches I've seen, Mikhail is focused on technique, not speed. As a beginning swimmer, all I wanted to do was swim faster and faster. Mikhail forced me to slow down, and focus on proper breathing and strokes. And, once I understood these critical aspects of swimming, he then taught me how they not only could make me swim faster, but also using less effort to do so. I cannot say enough to recommend Mikhail. I owe this man my life!
Ben Annopolsky
2013-03-18, 13:03
Last summer I was swimming at a friend’s pool and there was almost a drowning. The little girl I was swimming with took off her floaties and fell in. She was sinking to the bottom when I dove in and saved her. Without the swimming skills I learned at Michael’s JCC program there would have been a tragedy. I felt confident in my swimming skills and felt good about saving the five year old. Learning to swim is so important.
Marilyn S.
2013-03-09, 17:34
I was a competitive and long distance rower for most of my adult life until I was diagnosed with progressive arthritic condition five years ago. With my exercise options diminished, I began to try different water activities such as water aerobics and running in water. But none of those alternatives gave me the workout I needed to maintain my muscle strength and get my heart rate going.
My only option for a good workout soon narrowed to swimming laps, which I dreaded. I had been a swimmer most of my life, but not a very good one. I also thought, after rowing through some of the beautiful and challenging bodies of water in the world, being confined to a 25-meter lap line would be unbelievable bore.
So I turned to Mikhail to teach me how to swim like a competitor and he did! He sensed that I was an athlete who thrived on technique and made my lessons both challenging and fun. It wasn’t long before I understood many of the principles I had learned from rowing could be used to enhance my swimming abilities.
Today, because of Mikhail’s patience and knowledge, I now find swimming an interesting and demanding sport in much the same way as I did rowing. My arms have become my oars, my body is my boat and my glide is awesome!
Marilyn S.
31 December 2012
JMK
2013-03-09, 17:11
We live beside a small lake in Stamford. The yard is fenced off, but sometimes kids figure out a way around obstacles to get where they want to go. Based on that, we knew that at an early age, our children had to learn how to swim.
For years we had been unsuccessful in making our son, age 6, feel comfortable in the water. He would even be so anxious that washing his hair in the bathtub became a struggle to the point where we would have to resort to using a washcloth to get shampoo of his hair.
Mikhail saw our child’s unease in the pool during swim lessons at Olami, the JCC Summer Camp, and felt he could allay his fear of the water with a few lessons. We were sent home with a little ‘homework’- simply having our son practice getting his face wet in a bowl of water at the kitchen table. It sounded simple enough.
At his 3-rd lesson, Mikhail had him dunk underwater and he came up with a smile! We never thought we would see such a fast turnaround! This past winter, our son completed in the JCC swim meet and won 2-nd place in one of the races. The huge smile on his face showed how proud he was of his achievement. Mikhail’s techniques and special way of working with kids helped boost our child’s confidence in himself and his abilities. A year later, we are continuing with swim lessons twice weekly. He has become a good swimmer, and more importantly, is confident in and around the water.
Swimming is a life skill that everyone should have. We never hesitate to recommend Mikhail Iogman to anyone.
JMK, Stamford, CT
JM Mehl
2013-01-06, 14:35
Mikhail was excellent with my children and when i wanted to do my first try he took me from barely being able to swim 3 laps to now swimming 3 miles in the open water!
Misha D.
2012-12-24, 13:29
Mikhail started coaching me when my family first moved to the United States from Russia. I was almost 16 years old, did not have much of any athletic experience before (much less swimming), and could swim approximately one quarter of a lap before having to stop and hold on to the lane line. Mikhail started coaching me and my father, who at the time could swim 1-2 laps without stopping, with the goal of having us take and pass the lifeguard certification.
We started training in December, and by March - about 3 months later - both my dad and I passed the lifeguard certification, which included swimming 500 yards (20 laps) non-stop, as well as other swimming and diving related tasks. I went on to join my high-school swim team by the next season and excelled at breaststroke.
I will say that our training schedule was fairly rigorous when we were training for the lifeguard certification. Mikhail coached us several times a week, and we practiced on our own as well, for a total of about 5 days a week. Mikhail's dedication to coaching us, and our commitment to train regularly were the reasons we were able to be successful.
Ever since joining the swim team in high-school - my first experience in organized athletics - there has never been a time when I was not involved in some athletic activity at least 4-5 times per week. It was my training experience with Mikhail that laid a solid foundation of commitment to athletics in general in my adulthood.
Mark R
2012-12-24, 11:30
I thought I knew how to swim, but I couldn't swim more than 2 laps without getting out of breath. I was wrong....
I spent 2 years taking lessons from Mikhail. We started from scratch 1 step at a time. Mikhail was more than patient.
I can now proudly swim 1 mile. I stop when I run out of time. Awesome experience.
Dmitry Udler
2012-12-19, 17:53
Mikhail has been coaching my son for ten years now, since the age of 5, so I have been able to observe him in different situations. It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that he performs miracles. He can work with
students of any age, level, abilities and inclinations. He achieves results and keeps working! Mikhail is not just a coach - he is an educator, a role model, an organizer and a very interesting person. Interacting with him is a very enriching experience.
M. Kwee
2012-12-12, 17:37
Mikhail has coached our three children for almost five years. His firm approach suits their temperaments, and they've shown significant progress under his direction.
Underneath his crusty demeanor is a man with a real heart for children who is concerned for their safety and personal development, both in and out of the pool. I recommend him without reservation.
Anne Marie Segal
2012-12-05, 07:10
My kids have taken swimming with Mikhail over the years, as I participated as the mom-guardian in the class. As they got older, I didn't want to be sitting on a chair watching them swim. I wanted to be in the water. I also thought it would be easier to encourage their swimming if I was doing it too. Enter the problem - I wasn't much of a swimmer. A latent fear of the water (traumatic childhood event) and embarrassment over my lack of knowledge, speed and form held me back. Then one day I got the idea to take lessons from Mikhail myself.
In a word, he is awesome. Mikhail takes every single swimming movement and breaks it down. He combines patience and persistence to get you swimming and enjoying it (not always the same thing).
Quite honestly, I was a little afraid to learn from "the master" but I am so glad I got over it. (I told him the other day it's a bit like the Karate Kid style of lessons - wax on, wax off... but in the water.) My swimming has improved 1000% with Mikhail in a few short months. I am comfortable in the water, and on my way to being a true swimmer.
If you learn from Mikhail, you will not be disappointed.
Guest
2012-11-28, 18:09
I had the fortune to meet Mikhail when i was in my teenage years. The man had taken up teaching swimming to me in a serious manner, spending a great deal of his personal time with me, and within a few months I was able to swim about a mile every day, a regiment towards which he pushed me, not just as a great teacher, but also a mentor. Mikhail then decided to teach me how to kayak, ski, took me camping and hiking, and unveiled to me the world of recreational physical activity as an important part of my life. What's more, he literally shaped me into the person I am today. Mikhail Iogman stands as a testament of the fact that good will and altruism still exists in people, and a living proof to the modern skeptic that taking time to help others is pointless.
Mike Reynolds
2012-11-28, 09:00
I chose Mikhail as my children's coach because I not only wanted them to learn how to swim, but to love the water.
My son Charlie is five years old and a cystic fibrosis patient. Swimming was recommended by his doctor as a way to keep him strong and healthy, but it was important to me that it also be fun. For the past two years, Mikhail has used a firm hand and sly wit to keep Charlie engaged in the lesson and always ready to get back in the pool.
My daughter Ruthie is seven years old, and a shy perfectionist. Mikhail breaks down each lesson into parts, allowing Ruthie to master each part before moving on to something more advanced. Her confidence grows with each lesson.
Mikhail uses repetition to build muscle memory so that my children have progressed faster than I ever dreamed possible. He makes every lesson fun while encouraging achievement and goal setting.
I continue to be very pleased with my choice of Mikhail as my children's swim coach.
Bernd Pfrommer
2012-11-27, 19:27
Mikhail has taught both my sons, my daughter, and finally myself how to swim. Mikhail is a very experienced no-nonsense teacher who demands and achieves results. I eventually took lessons myself, just to keep up with the kids. If you want to see progress, go with Mikhail!
Marina Azizova
2012-10-21, 20:08
With September upon us, we are returning to our routine with Monday swimming classes at JCC. Sometimes it feels like a déjà vu when Michael Iogman who coached and developed my older son 10 years back gives very pointed directions to my youngest 5 year old Josh, "eye in the water, straighten your arms...".
Some things have changed in these 10 years: new methodologies, new tricks to make young 3s and 4s understand the basics of freestyle...and some have remained the same: personal attention to every child.
The swimming program at JCC simply would not be the same without Michael and every parent who went though the program would remember for the rest of their lives "eye in the water, big arms, turn your face....".
Thank you, Michael, from the bottom of our hearts!
Marina Azizova
Director, R&D
Zotos International
Guest
2012-10-21, 20:03
"When I arrived from Armenia at the age of 17, I had zero swimming experience and was very apprehensive about stepping foot in a pool. Meeting Mikhail Iogman changed my life, but little did I know to what extent.
Within a year I was a proficient swimmer in all strokes due to his outstanding instructional system, which I believe to have no equal. In short order, I became an instructor under Milhail, built a career I love and the rest is history.
Today, I consider Mikhail a mentor, friend and father figure. I would highly recommend his expertise to anyone looking to learn to swim, as would thousands of people in the CT/NY area."
Sincerely,
Harry Khachatryan
Diana
2012-10-21, 15:32
My name is Diana Kurek and I met Mikhail Iogman when I was in 7th grade at the age of 12. I did not know how to swim at all. I could not even hold myself on the water for more than 5 seconds. Soon, I started taking swimming lessons with Mikhail. Within just a month I was already able to swim across the pool with only the help of one floatation device on my back. Three months later I started swimming on Mikhail's Swim Team Clinic with other children. Mikhail taught me the technique for all the different strokes, which then aided me in getting better and faster after each time I went to practice.
I swam on Mikhail's swim team until I finished middle school. When I went to high school, my dream was to swim on a High School Swim Team. Due to the training I received from Mikhail, I made the High School swim team. I was very happy considering how the process of being chosen to swim for a Varsity High School team is rather competitive. Most of the girls from my High School Varsity Team have been already swimming since the age of 4 or 5.
While in High School, I won the award "Scholar Athlete of The Month" based on my academics, and my performance as a swimmer. Later, when I was applying to college, this award helped me receive a scholarship.
Irene
2012-10-16, 19:31
He spends his day in the water and as we say “H2O - two parts Heart and one part Obsession”. That is what Micahel Yogman means to me.
I have known Michael Yogman for 15 years and he has “raised 3 swimmers” – my 3 children are all very good swimmers.
We first met when I was just dreaming to teach my first son to swim and he was recommended to me. He told me it would take 2 to 3 lessons – I was shocked I thought it would be months. Now my son is a head of his High School swimming team in England.
When there was time, we started swimming with our second son from when he was 6 months old and his love for swimming followed him his entire life, so far.
Because of our job we were traveling a lot and everywhere we went people commented on how good his strokes were. On the contrary, travelling did not allow us to participate in real competitions, but my sons were always within the first three places everywhere they competed. My son recently won the 1st place medal in the Greenwich YMCA meets. (Qualifiers)
When my daughter turned 8 months I asked Michael when to start swimming with her– he joked –“You are already late for 8 months!” She is almost swimming on her own now and she is only 2 years old. Swimming is her favorite activity. Michael is so involved with little kids, he address every little movement of their feet and hands, and everybody loves his “end of the class surprise” - when he throws kids into the air. He would throw everyone of them and he has 10 kids in a class sometimes!
You can see and tell how he loves his work and older children are very grateful in the future.
And one last little tip - Michael is such a widely developed person, the list is endless, he skis, he kayaks with children and he even did volunteered to host a Math and a Russian reading classes for our kids!
This is a REAL TEACHER and teacher for life,
He is a Stamford LEGEND and this is true!!! I know that for sure.
“The water is your friend. You don't have to fight with water, just share the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move”. (Aleksandr Popov)
That is what Michael does every day.
Paul Medvedev
2012-08-15, 14:53
David Medvedev started swimming when he was only 4 years old. His family brought him to the Jewish Community Center with hope that he would be part of the community and learn to be strong mentally and physically. Little did we know, that this would change his life forever. We knew that a wonderful coach was teaching swimming at the JCC and decided to come to see it in action. When we got to the pool, we saw little children, some of them could not walk yet, they were diving and swimming under the water and the person who was instructing them was Mikael Yogman. This man who is firm, yet gentle and patient with kids, developed amazing techniques where any level swimmers could enjoy his class. After a brief conversation with Mikael about David, we realized that this would be a unique experience for David. During David's first group lesson, he was very frightened of the water. Mikael paid special attention and made him more comfortable in the water. The first steps of David's lessons were difficult, but with every lesson there were gradual improvements. We were surprised when Mikael made an announcement that David would be participating in the next competition. The competitions are organized by Mikael several times a year to give the little kids an experience of the spirit of competition. When David swam his first event, he came in last, but during the event, Mikael was running next to him and cheering him on. David knew that it was very important to finish this event.
After this competition, there were many practices where David and Mikael worked very hard to improve his skills and techniques. There were many times where his father constantly asked Mikael "when will David improve his Breast stroke technique?". Mikael's answer was always "be patient, the time will come". The time did come and he came in 3rd in Speedo International in the 100 Breast stroke. In middle school, David was awarded the Top 16 in Connecticut and made finals at the prestigious MIT Invitational. David also went on to win the Bronz medal at the Macabbi games.
Mikael's work ethics helps even now when David is swimming at the Varsity High School and preparing himself for College, where he wants to continue his swimming career.
David has followed Mikael's footsteps. He was taught by Mikael to be a swimming instructor and during summer breaks has spent his time volunteering by teaching young swimmers.
Mikael has taught many, many swimmers and they have achieved many things in their swimming careers. We are sure that this legacy will continue and Mikael will produce many more competitive swimmers who will not only be great in swimming but will give back to the community and will enjoy the sport of swimming for the rest of their lives.
S. Reynolds
2012-08-15, 13:18
We have known Mikhail for 3 years, during which my daughter has progressed significantly in her swimming skills. Mikhail takes the time to learn every child's personality, and caters his style of teaching to a particular child. He keeps lessons structured yet fun, with every child improving steadily. I would highly recommend Mikhail to a child (or adult) of any age who is interested in learning not just to swim, but to love to swim!
Keren
2012-08-12, 14:27
Many people can teach swimming, but to teach a child with anxiety is a much
greater challenge. Mikhail’s talent goes beyond creatively breaking down the
strokes and breathing techniques. He connects with his student on a psychological
level. He has a way of understanding children’s irrational fears and has amazing
methods of helping them overcome. I don’t just say this from my own experience. I
have watched him coach many kids throughout the years I’ve worked with him. Any
scared child I send his way and in no time he has them happily swimming with their
peers.
Swimming plays a major role in my life and if it wasn’t for Mikhail’s inspiration,
encouragement and incredible patience, I would have given up long ago.
When I started taking lessons from Mikhail fifteen years ago, I was far from
comfortable in the water. My motivation was only a part of what led me down this
path of confronting my fears and pursuing something so challenging. If it wasn’t
for the incredible support I received from Mikhail, no level of self-discipline could
have brought me to where I am today. He coaxed me into putting my face in the
water when I first started taking lessons. Three years later when I wanted to move
up to a higher level swim clinic in order to swim with my friends, his support was
incredible despite the fact I could hardly keep up. He told me if I came three days a
week, it wouldn’t take long for me to reach that next level. And sure enough he was
right.
I had to face another challenge before joining my high school swim team. I had never
felt comfortable doing flips in the water, but it was essential I learned to do a flip-
turn. Mikhail spent hours on this project. I was no easy student, as I was anxious
and stubborn, but he was beyond patient. He somehow got a hold of a gymnastics
bar, placed it on the pool deck and had me flip around it. He did everything he
could inside and outside of the water to create the most comfortable environment
possible.
I went on to swim competitively in high school and college and to do some teaching
of my own. The lessons I learned from Mikhail go beyond swimming as I have
applied his teachings and philosophies to so many aspects of my life.
Sam K.
2012-08-04, 08:30
As a swimmer and a soon to be a senior in high school, I am currently in the process of applying to colleges as a student-athlete. So far, I have been contacted by a coach from an extremely selective school on my prospective list of universities. Receiving a better education is just one of the many benefits of being a swimmer. I owe an extremely large portion of my success in the sport, and understanding of this important skill to Mikhail Iogman. He was my swim instructor from age two through nine, and throughout these years has helped me develop as an athlete by placing emphasis on crucial aspects such as technique and endurance. His unique teaching methods continue to influence and have a great impact on what the sport means to me today. They have given me an exceptional foundation that has allowed me to maximize my potential. I know of a great deal of people like myself who have learned to swim from Mikhail, many of whom later became extremely successful swimmers. Apart from the legacy that he has left in his years of teaching at the JCC and other aquatic facilities, Mikhail has done a lot for me. For the past few years, I have been working as a swim instructor myself, using his methods, and have noticed that they are used by lots of other successful coaches because of how efficiently students can learn from them.
Rabbi Daniel Cohen
2012-07-30, 10:50
Mikhail had transformed my approach to swimming! I could barely swim one lap but his mastery of the proper technique, teaching style, encouragement and discipline unlocked my potential. I am excited about continuing to learn under his guidance and develop a life long love of swimming.