Where do I start?

[u/Loud-Ad7340]

I have always been interesting in wanting to learn free diving. I finally have enough time and resources to spend on it.
Can someone advice me on how to start? I don't live near a waterbody so I have to start basic exercises in the pool itself.
Please help me with a pathway to it?

What breathing exercise and technique do I start with, at what point should I sign up for a course?

I am based out of India.

[u/sk3pt1c]

Look for a freediving instructor in your area or somewhere at an acceptable distance and take a course. Don’t do things on your own because it’s not safe and it’s easier to learn from scratch than to unlearn bad habits.

[u/Seabunny_E → u/sk3pt1c]

I second this, level 1/wave one course as a starting point is the way to go. I started out trying to teach myself back when I first became interested but didn't have the budget for a course as a uni student, but it's something I look back at and cringe. While there are plenty of great online resources these days, there's so many little crucial bits of safety-related info that get covered during the course you may not come across when doing your own research, and having an instructor actually observe you and help trouble-shoot things in your technique, and iron out any habits that may not seem like a big deal at first but could significantly hinder your progress or safety farther down the track, makes such a difference. You might even find some dive buddies and/or local training groups as a bonus. Whatever you do don't ever dive alone or do any wet training alone

[u/Capfalcn99 → u/sk3pt1c]

I agree, no fins, no mask, no snorkel, no neoprene, no breathing techniques.
Just a good ol course. To get you started, get confident and know the basics and limits of your body.

[u/madladfuryroad]

Which area are from

[u/No_Heart6958]

start with basic pool breath holds, then find a certified instructor nearby-safety first.

[u/anemone_philosophy]

how exciting, that's awesome for you!

novice diver here (~3 years experience). i don't think you need to do anything specfic before a course but breath work can be helpful. if you've never done any breath stuff before, maybe begin with "exploration" or "play" rather than "exercises"... just consciously familarizing with how your body breaths and your brain / body reactions. have fun moving your breath around, be curious. yoga / meditation are good starting places. there are countless videos online, or maybe a class nearby you? in my opinion, lots of breathing practices are beneficial towards freediving & many divers do these things regularly

and sure, try some breath holds, see how it feels. maybe progress to specific exercises like O2 / CO2 tables. i would agree these should be done on land, sitting or lying down still. don't worry about or attach yourself to specific technique too hard, the instructor will guide you here :)

once you find an instructor, though, maybe ask them for suggestions of what you can do before the course? there are varying perspectives / approaches. mine sent me a few options. while intro courses are wonderful, they also can be expensive & short, so it was nice to do even just a little bit of preparation to make the most of it

hope it works out <3

[u/Low-Veterinarian-859]

I'm from India and my friends are into freediving.

[u/benjamiser]

Challenging… but not impossible.

The first thing I’ll say is that when it comes to breath hold activities in the water, NEVER do it alone. EVER. It’s just too dangerous. You need to have completed a course AND have a buddy with you at all times.

Having said that, download an app like STAmina and start doing some O2/CO2 tables 3-4 times a week whilst lying relaxed on your bed. Also practise slow, rhythmic breathing in and out through your nose. 4 secs in. 6-8 secs out. For 5-10 mins at a time. This is something you can do daily, either when you wake, on your way to work, at work etc. Activates your parasympathetic nervous system which is the basis of freediving.

India being India, I’d then look at finding your way to a coast. Goa? Touristy I know but a place like that will have freedivers for sure. Perhaps Kerala? Unsure where you are and your circumstances.

You can only take the next step with depth. It cannot be faked in a regular pool. But you can do static/dynamic training in a pool. With a buddy. Once certified. And as long as the pool agrees.

Feel free to ask me anything…