Perfect your scuba diving with yoga practice
How do yoga and scuba diving go together?
Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India and dates back several thousand years. It involves a combination of physical exercises (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation. The term “yoga” comes from Sanskrit and means “union” or “integration”.
When it comes to breathing exercises, i.e. the discipline of pranayama, every scuba diver will realise that yoga has positive effects on diving. But that’s not all. So let’s “unite” and “integrate” our knowledge. Let’s put yoga and diving in context.
Effects of yoga BEFORE the dive
Addressing inner trust and togetherness through:
- The principle of supporting each other instead of competitive behaviour is supported by a joint mood boost in the morning, e.g. by saying the AUM.
- Positive words for the essentials as inspiration or
- The sound appropriate for the day and the atmosphere in the form of music, at best natural, for example through a lute. (= LAYA YOGA).
- It is also possible to turn the dive into a spiritual experience by inspiring a mantra for the subconscious.
Yogi’s breathing exercises for the best possible diving experience
The respiratory organs, breathing muscles and blood and lymphatic circulation are optimally prepared for diving:
- Optimum alignment of the body posture through coordinated positioning of the head and neck muscles as well as the shoulder area and straightening of the chest for an ideal air flow in the windpipe.
- With the help of a sequence of physical exercises coordinated with breathing, the so-called moon salutation, the mobility of the spine and hips is promoted for supple movement.
- A holistic energy boost is achieved through intensive breathing techniques, in which pressure and relief in breathing are harmonised even more precisely.
- The promotion of the maximum breathing volume is achieved by closely observing the respiratory anatomy and gradually increasing the utilisation of the personal breathing volume. (Take individual blood pressure problems into account or inform the trainer in advance during training).
Stimulation for momentum
Increasing the finely tuned ability to concentrate to an optimum level to support the ability to enjoy the dive immediately before the dive.
- The meditative combination of brain and heart activity offers the opportunity to increase pleasure. Both hormonal processes and nerve activity are coordinated and, in the best case, homogenised.
- Special breathing methods and an introduction to the art of relaxed concentration make it easy to integrate into the timetable before entering the water.
- Balance in the nerve pathways is achieved by focussing on oneself and withdrawing the senses.
Effects of yoga AFTER the dive
Pleasurable relaxation
After the diving experience, you learn through deep relaxation, with the help of adapted breathing and concentration methods, to fully absorb the positive experience and allow it to take effect.
To do this, the body is brought completely into relaxation mode while lying down:
- Coordinated abdominal breathing, which also supports optimal food intake, and sensitive chest breathing stabilise any increased intensity in the heart area caused by positive experiences.
- The gradual letting go of the individual body parts reinforces a floating mode in the subjective perception, which also occurs on earth.
- A kind of brain massage takes place in the head area, which contributes significantly to complete recovery and regeneration.
Talking and listening to each other
Positively revitalising and gently encouraging the individuality of each person can create an unforgettable group experience and allow the diversity and uniqueness of life to be recognised.
Chilling out with music and a good mood is also a good option, especially when communication is not possible.
