dynamic thoughts....

[divemama]

Does anybody practice dynamic apnea here? If so, what goes through your mind? I've got the mind control to go through static but dynamic is a different beast. All I can do is think, "so here I am swimming..... " I can get to 75m on a good day but want to increase to 100m. Any thoughts?

[M-2]

Hey divemama, welcome to the db family! Interesting thread. I've wondered the same thing from time to time. You're off to an awesome start! Mentally, I've been playing around with some self meditation stuff off and on. I found it in a triathlon mag a few years ago and tried it in my living room. Thought I would try applying some of the concepts to freediving.

I have a mantra that I go through. It's short and simple. Slowly and very relaxed I mentally keep saying, 'my mind is relaxed, my body's relaxed, and my heart rate is slow and calm'. While going through that mantra I also pretend that there is a scanner going up and down my body looking for tension. If my 'mental scanner' finds any tension I just remind myself to relax.

Other than that I try to 'feel' the water. Instead of thinking of the water as an obstacle that keeps you from breathing, think of it as holding you and think of yourself as gliding through a friendly, 'home' environment.

I don't have any reason to think that this is better than anything else out there, but it's what I try to do. I have my good days and bad days, but it helps me feel one with the water.

Confucious say, that's all folks!

.....and anderson, if you're reading this, I'm still a freediver who spears for a hobby.....at least I'm hoping to ......

Later divemama, and keep posting!

-mike

[Octo]

Divemama,

Welcome aboard! There are many dynamic wackos here (most better than I, and obviously more bashful or training instead of working...sigh)

To keep distracted, I like to watch the sunlight play across the bottom of the pool and listen to the sounds of others swimming. I do a bit of what M-2 described with relaxing unused muscle groups (shoulders and abdomen can stay tensed and burn major O2). The turns are the killers. Learning and developing a good turn will help tons.
Once I get near to my personal best, I focus on how I my body is reacting to a hypoxic state. By doing this repeatedly, I now know what my blackout signposts are (so does my training partner).

Of course, I have not trained in weeks

Warmly,

Aaron

ps you DO have a partner who knows what to watch for and how to revive you...Right?!

[divemama]

Thanks for the advice M-2 and Octo~

Focusing on my own mantra definately makes time go by faster. Remaining as calm as possible while pushing your body to the max... such an oxymoron, but that is what I love about this sport.