[TampaBrian]

Hey, that trip sounds awesome, but I won't be able to make it this time. I'm actually relatively new to the area. Moved down here last november without a dime and have managed to make a life for myself down here, but I do work alot. Ok when I say beginner, I mean beginner. It's still an infatuation thing and I'm hoping to stick with it. I rarely get time to get out and hardly ever have anyone to go into the water with me so I'm very limited as to what i can do..until I get out and learn a thing or two, i'll probably be stuck where i'm at right now. I've learned for me that in order to hold my breath, I not only have to be relaxed, but also in the right frame of mind....I've studied quite a bit of hypnosis and I somewhat have to get into that state in order to completely relax and let my body control it, I just can't hold my breath past 1:30 and maybe 2 once before, but the other night I got in my little mindset and had my fiance watch the clock. I looked over at her to say im ok and she stopped the clock accidentally and I know I had at least another minute in me. My main issue is fighting the contractions, they are just so darn uncomfortable, and while I think they may be getting more tolerable, i still hate 'em and can't seem to be able to handle them for more than 10 seconds......is there a point in the breath holding where you have contractions and then they go away, or is it just minute after minute of contractions until your done? Perhaps I don't practice enough.
As far as the other stats, I have no idea, I think I can hold my breath for 30-45 seconds while monofin swimming(i have 2 single fins though, I just use them like monofins) I have never gone past 20 feet in the lake I used to live on. It usually got too cold and too much pressure for my sinuses, but that was before I started all of this. I'd love to try a 30 or 40 foot dive sometime, I would just get scared doing it without an oxygen tank simply because I've never been down that far and don't understand the whole thing about resurfacing and having to stay there for a little bit....so much for me to learn...I appreciate you taking time to send me a message, and I really appreciate the offer...not ready for that just yet. Perhaps I need to get to 3 minutes and be able to control the contractions a bit better before i'm comfortable with the whole thing...One question I do have though....I once heard if a guy popping a blood vessel in his "brain??" from holding his breath....is this a bunch of bull or are there certain dangers?
Give me some time, I'll come out of my shell, and thanks again!
-Brian