Freediving And The Beauty Of Deep Relaxation
Did you know that freediving is now one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet? Now the topic of a new Netflix documentary, this once-niche activity is attracting a growing number of recruits that want to discover the magic of the deep. But, what even is freediving? And, why is it becoming so popular?
Well, unlike scuba diving, freediving doesn’t require any breathing apparatus. At its core, it’s a form of underwater exploration where a diver relies purely on the ability to hold their breath. Before diving, freedivers take a deep inhale and fill their lungs before holding their breath. This then serves as the only source of oxygen on dives that can last several minutes.
The thing is, freediving is also about so much more than just a breath-hold. It's also a mental and physical challenge that requires discipline, focus, and an intense connection with your body and mind.
While the sport has a long history linked to traditional fishing and pearl diving practices, it’s also emerged as a unique way to explore relaxation, inner peace, and our connection with the natural world. Most importantly, to dive deeper and stay underwater longer, a freediver must master the skill of deep relaxation. And, it’s this deep layer of peace achieved through freediver training that I want to unpack today.
Discovering the magic of relaxation underwater
I’ll be honest, I never thought I’d become a freediver. In fact, for a long time, I didn’t even know what a freediver was. For me, I always thought of diving as an expensive hobby that came with cumbersome breathing gear. The fact that I grew up inland probably exacerbated that belief.
However, that quickly changed when I moved to live by the ocean in Mexico. There, I signed up for a three-day course without really knowing what to expect. And, it transformed my relationship with the ocean, with my breath, and mental well-being. Now two years on, I train for freediving several times a week and I’m still constantly learning and growing when it comes to diving, relaxing, and breathing.
So in fundamental terms, the key to successful freediving is deep relaxation. Divers need to slow their minds and relax their muscles to sustain a lower heart rate that delays the urge to breathe. As a result, each breath-hold becomes a meditation, a moment of peace where nothing else matters but the very present.
When this is applied underwater, the effects are even more profound. For me, time doesn’t exist when I dive. And, the tranquility you feel experienced underwater doesn’t stop when you exit the water.
However, achieving that level of relaxation is easier said than done. We all know that our minds can run away with themselves at any given moment. When you’re being splashed by waves, it’s not always easy to hone in on the tranquility you need to hold your breath. So, we try to create the perfect space for relaxation through pre-water stretches and yoga, a two-minute period of relaxed breathing, and visualization techniques designed to help your mind declutter the daily distractions.
One of the best ways to achieve relaxation is doing something known as the “breathe up”. This is a 2-minute long relaxation period on the surface of the water. Also known as diaphragmatic breathing, during this period you’ll breathe into your belly (like how babies breathe) to help relax before a dive. A kind of “do not disturb” moment, the breath-up is a sacred time unique to each diver.
How freediving can influence your everyday
The core freediving techniques – controlled breathing, mental focus, body awareness – are not just useful underwater, but also serve as a powerful antidote to the stresses of daily life. Every dive has helped me focus on being more present and being aware of each moment as it plays out.
That’s because while freediving is about holding your breath, funnily enough, it’s also taught me how to breathe.
Belly breathing and long exhales stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, with is associated with a ‘rest and digest’ response. By practising breathing techniques that are known to calm your heart rate and encourage relaxation, it helps me feel more clarity in my decisions and actions.
Above water, stressful situations have started to feel more manageable, and the typical anxieties of the day seemed to lose their edge. Whenever I was stressed or distracted, I’d just refocus by taking a long, deep breath or scanning my body to focus on relaxation. And this is something that costs nothing to implement into your daily life.
For me, this is where the true magic of freediving lies. Beyond the exploration of a breathtaking underwater world, freediving offers a pathway to a more mindful, tranquil state of being. It’s a journey of personal discovery that I’m still continuously learning from.
Freediving beyond the breath
This week, Netflix released a stunning new documentary that focuses on the world of freediving. Emotional and visually charged, The Deepest Breath looks into a recent tragedy that rocked the freediving community.
Freediving, as we come to understand through this documentary, goes far beyond the act of breath-holding or diving itself. It is a testament to the astounding capabilities of the human body and mind, a showcase of discipline, mental strength, and physical prowess.
But beyond the thrill of exploration and the test of endurance, there is a deeper, more transformative layer to the sport: the intense relaxation and the state of present-moment awareness that is necessary for a successful dive. Honestly, you don’t have to be a pro diver to see massive improvements in relaxation with a little practice.
the bottom line
I do not doubt that the new Netflix documentary might inspire some people to take the first step into the world of freediving. From my perspective, giving freediving a try can be the start of a profoundly powerful inner journey that helps you discover your body’s true potential.
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