YOGA:
When it’s time to take a deep breath and dive into the blue, a peace of mind is your best buddy.
By practicing Yoga, you become aware of your body and have better control of your breathing and mind – all the elements required for freediving!
Improving your ability to hold your breath longer and to go deeper can be challenging and requires regular training. But it’s not easy to practice freediving every day, if you don’t live close to the sea or if you don’t have access to the pool deep or long enough.
However, you can work on your skills anywhere, anytime by practicing yoga regularly. All you'll need is yourself and a peaceful environment! Once back to the water, you’ll be amazed by the progress you have made.
The point here is to find a symbiosis between your soul, body and environment. Controlling your breath and diaphragm, slowing down your heartbeat, being aware of your body, releasing stress and tensions, easing your mind and ultimately consuming less oxygen are the fantastic achievements you’re going to realise through Yoga.
On top of these, you will get to know yourself and your body better. You’ll be able to control and anticipate your reactions and emotions. In turn, you'll find it easier to be conscious, relax, and maintain focus on your thoughts and surroundings.
Break your routine by trying different kinds of yoga. Some will help you to improve your physical strength, others your flexibility, breathing and lung work or concentration. Start off by practicing pranayama (breathing exercises) and dhyana (meditation). Then, slowly move on to other kinds of yoga like Lyengar, Hatha, Ashtanga and Vinyasa etc.
No matter your level or goals, every freediver should start his training by a yoga session. Start by going online and learning from the thousands of free videos. That’s one of the benefits of practicing Yoga – it is over 5,000 years old and there are many variations of it. Choose one that suits you and stick to it!~
Remember: start slow, and progress as your body allows you to. Get one-on-one sessions if it is feasible as it is always great to get someone to check your posture and ensure you do not get yourself injured. Finally, immerse yourself in the practice. Turn on soothing music, eat a healthy salad, read a book... anything that makes you feel relaxed and energized afterward!
"Wishing you a fantastic inner journey to feel totally connected to yourself, to Earth and to the Ocean."