Mental training

[niclas.ember]

I have a feeling that my body could swim longer under water, than my mind can.
Therefore I have started to be interested in mental training for freediving.
I would love if anyone could share some thoughts, tips or methods to set me off in the right direction from start.

Thanks

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[Jo_duiker]

I have a feeling that my body could swim longer under water, than my mind can.
Therefore I have started to be interested in mental training for freediving.
I would love if anyone could share some thoughts, tips or methods to set me off in the right direction from start.

Thanks

Skickat från min LG-D855 via Tapatalk

Well, I have the exact same problem, except for...it seems as if it's the other way around: my mind would like to dive further, but my body refuses: in DYN (with or without fins): I'm lucky if I can get past 3-4 contractions. I almost always want to (and do) give up from the first contraction as they are VERY hard right from the beginning. Not only that, but in static, I get contractions around every 6-7 seconds when they start. In DYN, contractions come every 2-3 seconds. And not only is the first one very hard already, every new one is harder and harder. But the difference in hardness is so much bigger than in static. (They get much harder in a faster way in DYN). By the second contraction in DYN, it's almost unbearable.

I asked this already, but no one replied. Probably because this is a problem that can not be solved by chatting back and forth on a forum - I guess I need one on one coaching and guidance. :-/ (I am AIDA 2*, so, yes, a lousy beginner. )

Still... I'm beginning to wonder if I should give up freediving. I mean: what's the point in only doing statics if I can't even begin to explore my potential in DYN because of contractions? I'm even beginning to hate this sport. It's really that bad, yes... :-/

 

[niclas.ember]

Maybe it could be that a thing like mental training is harder to discuss since it's probably very different from person to person what works. The mind is harder to understand than muscles, lungs and co2.
I'm also very new to this sport.
I don't get much contractions, but I get more of a panic that I need to breathe. I guess this is quite normal, beacuse we are ment to breathe.
Yesterday we had pool training, and I had a goal to be able to make one turn more than before.
I tried to build a positive image, in my mind, of when I did the turn.
I also accepted the fact that I would have a huge need to breathe, but that I would have oxygen left to go a bit longer.

Finaly we started with the diving and after two warm up dives, I did the new turn and continued a few meters extra.
I accepted, and aknowledged, the need to breathe and didn't fight it and that seemed to keep the panic away.

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[go-hard]

A big part of the "mental" side for me involves having confidence in my safety diver / buddy. I know I need to be aware of my own body etc. but I find it a lot easier to do this when I have confidence that my safety knows what to do should anything untoward happen. This makes me more relaxed and allows me to listen to my body more.

 

[Alexa W]

I find for the mental side yoga really helps me. Any practice that syncs the breath with movement really helps me feel like I know my body and limits so I can resist the panic to breathe before contractions set in.