Fluid Focus Retreats

05/04/2024

We are seeking to change the narrative, just a bit. It’s important to us because we know it works!

We are far from perfect as human beings, but we know Freediving has helped us immensely. It provided a vehicle for body awareness, stress states, and mental fortitude. It’s given us a measurable metric with which to track our mental health progress.

And we’d love to share that with you.

What do we do? We provide high quality water immersion experiences that do just this, help us to become more aware humans!

Get in touch to join one of our experiences, you won’t regret it.

27/03/2024

Through consistent practice and exposure to challenging situations, divers cultivate a profound level of trust in their own capabilities to maintain composure, steadiness, and control, even in the face of pressure and stress. This confidence doesn’t just confine itself to the aquatic realm; rather, it permeates into the fabric of their everyday lives.

The ability to stay focused and composed during intense moments underwater translates into a valuable skill set applicable beyond the boundaries of the sport. Divers learn to take deliberate and conscious actions, as well as make thoughtful decisions under duress. This mental resilience and adaptability become invaluable tools in navigating the complexities of daily life, where unforeseen challenges and high-pressure situations are inevitable.

Freediving, therefore, transcends its role as a mere sport, evolving into a unique resource for personal development. The skills honed in the underwater world, such as self-awareness and self-reliance, serve as catalysts for growth in various aspects of life. The discipline required to regulate breathing, maintain focus, and respond calmly to unexpected circumstances underwater instills a sense of control and mastery that extends far beyond the aquatic environment.

Incorporating the principles of freediving into everyday life fosters a mindset characterized by resilience, adaptability, and a capacity to navigate challenges with poise. As divers apply the lessons learned beneath the surface to their daily routines, they discover that the transformative power of freediving goes beyond physical prowess; it becomes a holistic approach to self-improvement, enhancing not only the body but also the mind and spirit. Ultimately, freediving emerges as a gateway to personal growth, offering a unique and enriching journey toward self-discovery and self-mastery.

01/03/2024

As we explore the depths of the ocean, we discover the interconnectedness of all life forms and tap into the profound spiritual awareness innate to us. In the dance between science, spirituality, and the practice of freediving, we find not only a path to personal transformation but also a potential remedy for the societal ailments of despair, aloneness, addiction, and depression. The underwater realm becomes a canvas for self-discovery, a medium for aligning with deep truths, and a journey toward a life of meaning, connection, and fulfillment.

These are some ideas and concepts we are exploring for our upcoming blog. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments section ⬇️

25/02/2024

Freediving is a lot more than pushing depth

Or holding your breath for a long time

It’s about looking inside

And understanding the connection between our body and what our mind is telling us

The goal is to connect with ourselves

Our mind is often telling us to do something
Our mind is screaming at us yelling at us that we need more air

Freediving teaches us to sit in the humility of how we learn, how we move through obstacles

And how we manage our own mental health

13/02/2024

Some of our favourite reasons to practice freediving:

➡️ Freediving promotes a strong mind-body connection, as practitioners learn to listen to their bodies and manage stress.

➡️ Freediving provides a unique form of physical conditioning, combining cardiovascular training with breath-holding exercises. This cross-training can enhance overall fitness and endurance, complementing the specific demands of other water sports.

➡️ Freediving often involves heightened awareness of the underwater environment. This increased sensitivity to the surroundings can benefit those engaged in activities like snorkeling, underwater photography, or marine biology, as it encourages a deeper connection with the aquatic ecosystem.

08/02/2024

Freediving can be a valuable skill for all water sports practitioners, which stems from the various benefits and applications it offers across different water-based activities—enhancing, for example, the ability to navigate underwater, stay calm, and extend breath-holding capacity.

The skills and mindset cultivated through freediving can be applied across a spectrum of water sports, contributing to safety, performance, and overall enjoyment in aquatic activities. Whether for personal development, fitness, or recreational pleasure, incorporating freediving can offer a well-rounded and enriching water sports experience.

05/02/2024

Discover the potential of the ocean and its ability to foster personal growth by joining our community. Through immersive ocean retreats, our tribe exudes a shared passion for the sea. Embrace the opportunity to be a part of the expanding water movement with us.

2024 Retreat Dates 🔗
March 10-16 (Bira, Sulawesi)
March 19-25 (Bira, Sulawesi)
April 07-13 (Lembongan, Bali)
May 12-18 (Lembongan, Bali)
July 22-28 (Lembongan, Bali)

📷 .photography 🌊

03/02/2024

The discipline of freediving offers a reflective opportunity to engage with the power of the mind. Through the exertion of willpower and tenacity often required within the sport, divers come to a resolute understanding of their innate reserves of these qualities and their ability to draw upon them in the face of challenge.

Have you read the blog? 🔗

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Indonesia

01/02/2024

Changing perspectives is possible. We do it all the time.

Our team teaches from a deep well of knowledge and experience. We constantly sharpen our tools to provide the most potent combination of modalities to inspire growth and initiate change. Our mission is to arm participants with new perspectives and valuable tools that can be implemented back in the “real world.”

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01/02/2024

“Freediving is about inward power, discipline, and control. If you’ve overcome the fear of death and the risks inherent in the sport, you’ve truly conquered yourself.” – Natalia Molchanova, World Record holder and champion freediver

Through practice, divers trust their ability to remain calm, steady, and in control under pressure. Staying focused, taking conscious action, and making thoughtful decisions during times of stress are things many divers allow to echo out of the water into everyday life. In this way, freediving becomes more than just a sport; it is a unique resource to develop the skills of self-awareness and self-reliance in everyday life.

📷 .photography

30/01/2024

28/01/2024

Exploring the boundless depths of freedom through the art of freediving—a journey where each breath is a meditation, and the ocean becomes a canvas for self-discovery. In the silence of the abyss, I find tranquility.

📷 .photography 🌊

29/11/2023

Pranayama.

'Prana' - life force energy
'Yama' - control of restraint

The practice of pranayama aims to harness and channel energy in the body through the breath. By consciously moving and directing the breath to different body parts, we shift our state, move energy, and initiate physiological benefits.

Benefits of pranayama practices include (but are not limited to)

- improves sleep quality
- reduces stress
- decreases high blood pressure
- increases mindfulness
- improves emotional responses
- regulates the nervous system

Freediving is full of pranayama practices, all aimed and tailored for different uses. Sometimes, we activate the breath to harness energy. Other times, we slow it down to create a relaxed state.

By understanding the power of the breath, we gain access to one of the most powerful tools available.

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18/11/2023

Sometimes, you have to go for it, even when things are imperfect. Our brain will always come up with an excuse.

The breath is too small. It tastes weird. My tongue hurts.

When we have trouble relaxing mentally, take a breath and go. And focus on being with the body, however it is.

Learning to meet yourself where you are is part of the freediving journey.

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17/11/2023

There is a lot of prep that goes into our experiences. Over the years, we have subtly fine-tuned how we approach Freediving, incorporating many techniques to eliminate moving parts and pave the road to success.

Movement in the morning is tailored for each individual. Food is provided at a particular time and of a certain quality as to prepare and nourish the body for the specific activities of the day. Practices and workshops are precisely placed when students can be most open to receiving insight from them.

And the fantastic irony remains- if all goes well, it just works. And we want nothing except to celebrate the participants' path to success.

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14/11/2023

Mindfulness is a word that is tossed around wellness culture. With vast interpretations, we try to keep it simple.

😶‍🌫 For us, to be mindful is to be present with your current experience. Not thinking about what happened prior or what's to come next.

💭 Focus allows us to maintain a state of mindfulness. By having focus, we can train our minds to stay with us, not paddle away from us.

🌻 As we get better at living moment to moment, we start to see the actual benefits of mindfulness—clarity in thought, relaxation, body awareness, and sensing of emotion.

🌊 With practice, mindfulness allows us to move more fluidly through the world. We develop a sense of lightness, ease, and compassion that carries into all of our activities.

Can we get a shaka?

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12/11/2023

Our Philosophy.

We continue to stick to our vision (and mission) to ensure freediving is being promoted as a safe, accessible and potentially life-changing experience.

It seems almost impossible sometimes to shield ourselves from human bias to favor the risks and dangers around us- whether they be valid or only perceived.

As we sit back and witness the freediving narrative being told from perspectives of blackouts and extremes, we try hard to avoid the reduction.

Instead, we forget about depth (though it will come with practice), we forget about time, and we focus on body awareness. In this way, students walk away from the sport with both a sense of external achievement AND internal confidence.

Freediving is a lifestyle change, not an accident waiting to happen.

28/10/2023

Freediving means a lot to us. It's our gateway into introspection, growth, and community. It's how we connect back to ourselves while deepening our connection with others and the ocean.

We've been humbled by those who have supported us on this journey, from the guests, teachers, and Bali Dogs that push forward our mission.

Looking forward to an evolving 2024. See you in the water.

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28/10/2023

Deciding how and when to learn freediving brings plenty of options. While most programs focus on 2-3 day courses, we like to extend the process and allow students more time and practice to understand the fringe benefits of the sport.

Benefits of joining a freedive retreat include:

⏰More Time. For many students, time is a valued commodity, but having more of it is a luxury. In addition, more time = less self-imposed pressure.

👨‍🎓Attention. With more time comes more personalized attention and a higher quality of instruction. It allows us to teach more than just water skills, but also other lifestyle skills that help to improve quality of life.

🧠Growth. The more profound benefits of freediving take feelings, not just learning. And feeling takes time, practice, and mentorship. Our team facilitates growth through the programs we are passionate about.

👨‍👧‍👧Community. Everything is better with others, especially if they are like-minded and epic. Our community has some pretty incredible people in it.

Join us for an immersive experience that will achieve more then just freediving skill, but will help to explore deeper depths in ourselves.

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25/10/2023

Community.

It's happening; our tiny group of merpeople is growing in numbers and (intrinsic and physical) depth. With every retreat, we add more freedivers to our underwater fam and get more excited about what's to come.

This post is a thank you to everyone who has trusted us with your time and being, and a gracious look forward to what's to come.

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24/10/2023

Progression.

We have to train to feel natural. As counterintuitive as it sounds, students often have poor equalization habits through other water activities (snorkeling, scuba diving), and these habits need to be retrained to freedive. We do this by gradually increasing the angle of the body in the water.

We start head up, and work out way to a head down position. All the while extending our breathholds and growing out gills.

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12/09/2023

Neuroconservation; One of our favorite terms.

Coined by Dr. Wallace J. Nichols (Author of Blue Mind), neuroconservation points to our desire to conserve things we have experienced and felt rather than just logically or rationally understood.

An appropriate example for us is interacting with Manta Rays. After we have taken the time to train our Mammalian Dive Reflex, we gain a deeper understanding of the physiological capacities of our body below the surface.

This understanding makes us feel more comfortable and natural and changes how the ocean interacts with us. We approach things slowly, calmly, and with respect. We are constantly reminded of our limitations, reminders that, if left unheeded, could lead to danger or harm.

Through this training, we cultivate respect for the ocean through felt sense, not rational thought. And we are more intrinsically motivated to conserve it.

There's much more to unpack, and science has started to make these "theories" more quantifiably viable. And we are stoked to be a part of it.

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11/09/2023

Practice makes perfect! What we do out of the water makes a big difference when we jump back in.

In a world full of promised shortcuts, it's sometimes easy to forget that to get better at something, you have to repeat it, often many times.

It helps when practicing something you love, like becoming a mer-person.


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08/09/2023

We spend 99% of our time talking to people about what freediving means, not what it is.

Freediving means something unique to us, and we hope to define that uniqueness to offer the most impact to those who think the same.

To us, freediving provides a glimpse of a healthier existence- mentally and physically. We feel the benefits from our skin to our internal monologue. We have realizations and breakthroughs. And we achieve all of this with the help of a supportive community.

What does freediving mean to you?

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04/09/2023

Freediving & Entropy

🧠 The brain is a highly complex and dynamic system that constantly processes and integrates information from various sources. The brain's electrical activity, measured through techniques like electroencephalography (EEG), exhibits patterns of oscillations and rhythms that reflect the neural processing occurring within.

🌀Flow states, for example, have been associated with a specific brain activity pattern exhibiting lower entropy. Understanding the neural correlates of flow states can help freedivers cultivate the mental states conducive to achieving peak performance.

➡️ It's important to note that the relationship between brain entropy and freediving is an area of ongoing research, and our understanding of the brain's complexity is still evolving. While entropy provides a useful framework for studying brain activity, it is just one aspect of the brain's functioning, and other factors, such as oxygen availability and physiological responses, also play significant roles in freediving performance and safety.

02/09/2023

Freediving is a lifestyle. It's not just something you do once and never think about again, but a peek into what living healthier feels like. We are motivated to eat healthier, breathe better, work on our fitness, and be more socially open. All of these things make us better freedivers AND better humans.

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01/09/2023

What is our mission?

Ambitiously, it's to change human nature with the help of the ocean. And we do that one meter at a time.

Freediving helps us confront our most disruptive inner narratives- things that may hold us back in other aspects of life. We learn to breathe better, relax, and take actionable steps toward resolution.

It's just a giant metaphor for life, really, with a bonus of the salt, the sun, and great community.

It's time to book a retreat- get in touch for questions and details.

12/08/2023

Freediving might give the impression that it's a solitary sport. While there are components that highlight the importance of self-reliance and awareness, building a water community is beyond rewarding.

The sport shows us both the importance of growing individually and learning from others. Through this balance, we learn to connect to both our internal and external environments.

And of course, we forge epic friendships that can last a lifetime. Join the underwater tribe.

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10/08/2023

Freediving is more than an underwater adventure; it's a profound lesson in mindfulness. The present moment takes center stage as we dive into the depths with only our breath as a companion.

Each inhale and exhale becomes a rhythmic reminder that life exists in the here and now.

The underwater world demands our full attention, urging us to let go of past worries and future anxieties. In the embrace of silence and weightlessness, freediving guides us to savor the present, heightening our awareness of every sensation.

Through an immersive experience, we learn that the true richness of life lies in the immediate experience, teaching us to live fully, deeply, and without hesitation.

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