Good Exercise
Yoga is well known for stretching, but the poses also strengthen the muscles of the body, stimulate fluid in the joints and tone the organs. Yoga helps to release tension, increases flexibility and boosts circulation.
A more supple body means less risk of injury when carrying heavy dive gear around, or swimming underwater. The key to correct finning is strength in the legs and flexible hips, so think about boosting your own ability before you ditch your old fins for a new, expensive pair!
Read more about fitness...
A more supple body means less risk of injury when carrying heavy dive gear around, or swimming underwater. The key to correct finning is strength in the legs and flexible hips, so think about boosting your own ability before you ditch your old fins for a new, expensive pair!
Read more about fitness...
Healthy Breathing
Scuba divers know all about breathing, but are we breathing correctly? Where do you feel your breath right now - in the belly, chest or collarbones? Is it fast or slow, even or irregular?
Have you ever noticed your breath before? Probably only when you're in a panic and underwater that can be a very dangerous situation. Breath is the foundation of yoga. Breathing can simultaneously energise and relax the body and mind. Breath awareness brings focus, so that we make better decisions underwater.
Yoga breathing encourages us to use our full lung capacity. Once your body gets used to all that extra space, you'll find you're breathing more efficiently and no doubt see an improvement in your air consumption.
Have you ever noticed your breath before? Probably only when you're in a panic and underwater that can be a very dangerous situation. Breath is the foundation of yoga. Breathing can simultaneously energise and relax the body and mind. Breath awareness brings focus, so that we make better decisions underwater.
Yoga breathing encourages us to use our full lung capacity. Once your body gets used to all that extra space, you'll find you're breathing more efficiently and no doubt see an improvement in your air consumption.
Relaxation
Relaxation reduces our heart rate and blood pressure. Letting go of our worries helps to reduce fatigue in the body and mind. And being relaxed will mean a more enjoyable dive as you're less distracted by what's going on in your head and more focused on the world outside.
And remember - a relaxed diver attracts more fish!
And remember - a relaxed diver attracts more fish!
Healthy Diet
It goes without saying that a bacon butty and a steaming mug of coffee is THE best post-dive meal... but consider your diet overall. Are you giving your body the fuel it needs to fully function? Waste in, waste out. Yogis recommend eating pure, natural foods and having respect for where that food came from - particularly animal products. You don't need to be vegetarian to practice yoga, but be aware and have respect for the source of your food. Most importantly, don't waste it!
Of great importance is also to stay hydrated, especially before and after scuba diving as you're breathing in a very dry atmosphere. Read more about nutrition...
Of great importance is also to stay hydrated, especially before and after scuba diving as you're breathing in a very dry atmosphere. Read more about nutrition...
Positive Thinking, Awareness and Respect
Yoga is not all about physical exercise. Through the practice of yoga, and meditation, we become more self-aware and less distracted. Having negative thoughts about the dive itself, or our abilities can lead to your greatest fear actually happening through anxiety and poor decision-making. So be honest about your abilities, collaborate with others - don't compete and be aware of your energy levels. Don't push yourself beyond your physical limits. Cultivate a sense of contentment in your dive - you may be in pea soup, but be thankful for the peace, your weightlessness and that glimpse of a spider crab five minutes ago. Always keep learning about the wildlife around you, and you will keep a healthy respect for the sea.
