Tag: freediving

Freediving isn’t about forcing yourself to stay down longer. It’s really about learning how to relax enough that your body lets you stay down longer. Especially in shallow water, where depth isn’t the challenge, everything comes back to your breath, your mindset, and how efficiently you move. If you’re new to freediving  or you just want to feel calmer and more comfortable underwater here are five simple things that genuinely make a difference to your bottom time (without pushing or stressing your body). Start With Your Breath Your dive actually starts before you get in the water. One of the biggest beginner mistakes I see is trying to “breathe better” by doing too much. Pre-dive breathing isn’t about getting more oxygen, it's about calming your nervous system. Keep it simple: Slow nasal breathing Longer, softer exhales Relax your jaw, tongue, shoulders, and hands If your breath feels quiet and easy, you’re doing it right. A calm breath tells your body there’s no rush and that’s what helps you stay underwater longer. Soften Your Body Before you dive, do a quick body check: Are your shoulders creeping up? Is your jaw clenched? Are your hands tight for no reason? Let everything soften, especially your face. A relaxed face usually means a relaxed body. Once you’re underwater, think slow, not strong. Every extra movement uses oxygen. Freediving rewards softness way more than effort. Stay Long & Streamlined Good positioning means less drag, less effort, and more time underwater. A few reminders: Keep your body long and neutral. Head in line with your spine. Avoid lifting your head or bending at the waist. Let your buoyancy help you, not fight you. In shallow water, efficiency matters even more because you don’t have depth helping you glide. Keep Kicks Small Big, fast kicks feel