Freediving and Stress

[Fondueset]

Without getting into detail - there is often quite a bit of stress around our house. The other day it was particularly toxic and I was feeling tension in the area around my heart. There was that sort of metalic feeling of being in a war zone.

Still, my daughter and I managed to set up for a dive and drove the five minutes to our most convenient spot. I was wondering how all this tension would play out as we geared up and climbed down the old metal ladder near the limestone breakwall. First couple of dives were short and strained feeling, but the water was cool with visibility in the 10-15 meter range thanks to a days long south wind. As we got out into deeper water I began to relax - for some reason I seem to consistently not get comfortable until I've got at least 8 or 10 meters of water over me.

Floating on the surface I relaxed into the slight waves and practiced breathing from the perineum ( thanks Eric F), in waves up along the spine. Gradually I begin to feel a slight coolness as I wait for a breath that feels all the way full. I let it carry me up, over and down and, quite suddenly, there has been no stress - utterly forgotten until we are back in the truck and I remember how I felt on the drive in.

"Did you see that Freshwater Drum?" I ask my daughter "Yes, and I saw a planarian, a water flee and some sea monkeys..."

That girls got and eye for detail!

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

Without getting into detail - there is often quite a bit of stress around our house. The other day it was particularly toxic and I was feeling tension in the area around my heart. There was that sort of metalic feeling of being in a war zone.

That girls got and eye for detail!

Diving is a great escape.. its great that you can get out with your daughter and go to the water.. i am getting "city"-itis right now and i am planned to escape to the east coast next Friday. mmmm

[Fondueset]

I'm lucky - I get to go nearly every day. I've got a spot 10 minutes from my house, and a secluded shore of lake michigan about 30 minutes

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

I'm lucky - I get to go nearly every day. I've got a spot 10 minutes from my house, and a secluded shore of lake michigan about 30 minutes

wow that's so clear!

[Fondueset]

It was even better on the bottom in the thermalcline.
Can't wait for september when most of the boat traffic goes away

[portinfer]

That's super clear ! It is like that here very very occasionally and normally in winter - I try to dive a few times a week and sometimes it is everyday for a week or so(I live about 15m from the beach) .. but been busy recently - I think that freediving is the most effective stressbuster.
I really feel it if I go for a dive after work - totally chilled after an hour or two

Ed

[bluh2o]

Why am I here reading this and not diving? I should be out there too where no one can find me, in the other world. A few steps a hop and.... gone. Bye bye to those unnatural things we've jammed down our own throats. Forcing the nomad to stay and grow corn. Take me off line! I don't want to be stable or faithfull anymore! I want to stick my neck out alone into an ancient environment that doesn't care whether I return the damn video on time!

Mr. Fondue, I've got a new practice. You might like it too although amongst the other fanatics we'd be the seniors. Slacklining. Check out slackline.com. I'm getting a rig up in the back yard. Seeking other arcane diversions. Baja, blue water, mezcal.....

[Fondueset]

That looks like a blast - reminds me a little of the Bagua practice where you get a big wooden barrel, fill it with water, and walk around the rim - taking one spoonful of water out every day

I also do and teach Taiji ('Old' Yang style - form Yang,Shou Hou) and have been starting to get reinvolved with Yoga/pranayama.

I have to say though - with the water so clear here these days, and my 3mm and 5mm Elios suits - theres really no reason not to hop in the car for the 10 minute drive to the bay.

It's only 30 minutes to some really secluded lake michigan shoreline - for even better visibility and zero boat traffic!

Here is looking north from our dive spot toward Pyramid Point.

[bluh2o]

Sounds like good summer fun!