Michelle Lang

Michelle is the creator and founder of Relaxation Based Swimming. Michelle is a world-class swim instructor, certified Reiki practitioner, black belt martial artist, and mother of three children. Over the past fifteen years, Michelle has taught over 10,000 swimming lessons, has been WSI (Water Safety Instructor) certified by the American Red Cross, and is the author of the Amazon bestselling book, “A Mermaid’s Guide: Empower Your Child in Water and in Life.” 

Michelle has a wide range of celebrity clientele and teaches exclusives and immersions for the elite of Los Angeles, as well as traveling internationally to give exclusive on-location lessons.

Michelle started her swim journey in London, where at the young age of 6 months, she was assisting her mother teach swim classes at the Queen Mary's pool.  Several years later, Michelle moved to Colorado Springs where she continued to compete and train at the Olympic Training Center.  In Wisconsin, Michelle ranked as one of the top in the state swimmers in breaststroke, as well as competing in freestyle and the 200 IM. She went to Northwestern University in Chicago where she studied communications and children's theatre. 

In addition to spending much of her youth in the pool, Michelle grew up with a child-psychologist mother who toured the USA (with Michelle in tow) teaching teachers how to teach.  Michelle helped her mother teach swimming and dance since she can remember.

 Michelle loves all things soul-nurturing and empowering. She and co-founder, Ian Nelms, are married and have three children.

Ian Nelms 

Ian is co-founder of Relaxation Based Swimming. He has a range of celebrity clientele and teaches exclusives and immersions to the elite of Los Angeles. 

Ian started his swim journey fifteen years ago. He is an innovator of many swim teaching techniques and creates tough, confident swimmers. 

Ian graduated from Cal State Bakersfield. He attended college on a full wrestling scholarship and infuses an aspect of mental toughness and perseverance in his swim lessons. Ian fought professionally (and won) in the MMA, so he knows a thing or two about being a warrior both in and out of the water. 

Ian has a kind and gentle way with children. He is both firm and playful, and can be very discipline orientated when needed. Yet, he celebrates each swimming achievement with joy.  

Ian grew up helping his mother and father run a children and wedding photography studio in central California. He is married to creator and co-founder, Michelle Lang, and they have three children.

Heather has a deep love for children. She CPR/FirstAid/AED certified for children of all ages, has a degree in psychology, and is a behavioral therapist for autistic children. Heather's professional swim journey started several summers ago when she began taking Swim Yogi's founders' (Michelle Lang and Ian Nelms) children swimming in the afternoons.  Michelle and Ian soon realized Heather should extend her swim instructing gift to other families across Los Angeles. Heather underwent long training process to learn the Swim Yogi method and has been teaching for the past four years!