What do you get out of freediving?

[RydDragyn]

This sort of fits in with the thread about hypoxia and depression:

http://forums.deeperblue.net/general...hypoxemia.html

But the question is - what do you get out of freediving, whether it be psychological or just plain physical?

...As for myself, I have Tourette's syndrome, and my recent foray into apnea training is very good for helping me calm down, and overcoming urges for the violent twitches and convulsions that I've experienced since I was about 5 years old. Goes along pretty nicely with overcoming the urge to breathe, but the calmness lasts a long time afterwards...

[rslomkow]

I get a number of things out of freediving.

* Relaxation for life
I find that freediving generally lowers my overall stress level, and makes me a bit happier. Also it is a good excuse to go through a number of relaxation exercises I have learned from Yoga or other techniques.

* Physical & Social fitness
I tend to spend to much time working, especially when I can't get anything done, I just spend more hours in front of the computer trying to get projects done. I work at home with people in another country 9 time-zones away, and it is easy for work to take up my life. Freediving is an excuse for me to get out of the house, pool training gets me to meet other people who actually speak the language of the country I live in (Germany)

* Relief from migraines
I also suffer from migraine headaches. They very from low-throbs to all out loss of balance and vision. I have found submersion (both hot and cold water) help. I have also found that pressure helps. Cold water (under 11C) and deeper than -10m do wonders. But even -5m and 26C in the pool does help.

* Satisfaction of personal improvement
It is always good to have something very concrete that you can work and and see improvement. I like seeing my breath hold times increase, my underwater sprint times decrease. It doesn't happen every week (pool practice) but it happens.

* Contact with the underwater world
I don't know how else to describe it, but when diving in the Ocean I just feel at home. It is so much easier than the pool, I feel like I am part of the water moving with the waves, a world full of creatures for whom I am neither important nor ignored. I world where it is clear I only have a limited time to visit and explore and I have to make the most of it. A world full of every changing details. Honestly there is something ineffable about the sea, that is lovely to be part of. I get this far more with freediving than SCUBA or Sailing.

* Fun
Short simple and it is . Though the pool can be a bit of work.

[sheepeck]

I can hardly add more then rslomkow.
Only thing different - I do not have any health problems I could cure by freediving, so for me it's mostly enjoying being free and happy with friends.
I met nice people all around the world thanks to freediving.

[sickbugs]

complete personal satisfaction and relaxation.. and a great workout.. seriously, freediving is the thing i look forward to most in life, even if it is from a spearfishing point of view mostly, i feel more alive in the sea than on land.

[sanso]

rslomkov put it just right, I can only add one thing:

* It gives me an excuse to hang out here at DeeperBlue

[immerlustig]

happiness

[worst]

peace with myself

[DiverTodd]

Challenge, discipline, and self improvement come to my mind. Like rs said, it's always great to see improvement, always brings me a big boost of self-confidence! And, of course, that incomparible feeling you get of gliding along underwater, unfettered by a bulky tank and bc, or rates of ascent speed. I always look forward to my weekly session in the 12' deep pool...it's more than just working on technique and skill, it's also stress relief; I feel SO relaxed and peaceful after my sessions.

Todd

[alix.leclerc]

I met the most amazing man through DB and freediving...

...We dive every week

[freediver blue]

I get to see the beautiful underwater world

[penguinator]

When I am diving: Absolute peace with myself, relaxation, fun, a challenge, etc etc


At the moment: Absolutely nothing... I have been out of the water for a good month now. Hopefully I can get back in soon

[azapa]

good thread: to add and agree on the previous rewards, I'll sum mine...

I am not a gung-ho hunter type and am very eco, but taking two or three fish home once a week that I selected, stalked and speared, out of my environment, to feed my family, is a real reward. Last weekend I peaked: 3 shots 3 fish. It does not get much better than to see my wife and kids loving to eat the fish....

[alix.leclerc]

Originally Posted by azapa

It does not get much better than to see my wife and kids loving to eat the fish....

You have the life

[SnuFPunK]

What do you get out of freediving?

A break.

Freediving so good it makes my tail curl.

Since I've discovered freediving, Whenever I am outside of the water I have a constant feeling of not enough space to move in, Im missing an entire dimension of motion.

Motion in 3D is so much more natural to me.

~ Snuf

[bluecape]

Great people, freedom, relaxation, challenge, joy, a sense of selfworth and well being, discipline, hard work, a privileged view of a silent world, at times...fear, excitement, understanding of myself in the holistic sense, increased knowledge of the ocean and it's inhabitants, humility, synergy with myself and the elements, fitness, strength, inner peace, calm.

In short, if I see the above, I see that freediving gives me everything, absolutely everything.

Jeff