How Breathwork Enhances Your Freediving Experience in Tenerife

The Link Between Breath and Depth

Breathwork is the foundation of freediving. Proper breathing techniques help divers extend their dive times, stay relaxed, and improve overall well-being. Here’s how breathwork enhances your Tenerife freediving retreat experience:

1. Increases Breath-Hold Time

By practicing techniques like diaphragmatic breathing for freediving, you train your body to use oxygen more efficiently, extending your time underwater. Slow, controlled breathing before a dive reduces heart rate and oxygen consumption, improving overall dive performance.

2. Enhances Relaxation and Focus

Freediving requires a calm mind. Breathwork helps lower heart rate, reducing oxygen consumption and making dives smoother and more controlled. Mindfulness practices combined with breathwork enhance mental resilience, allowing divers to manage stress and anxiety effectively.

3. Strengthens the Respiratory System

Breath-hold training exercises expand lung capacity and strengthen the diaphragm, allowing for deeper, more comfortable dives. Increasing lung flexibility helps prevent barotrauma and improves equalization, which is essential for diving to greater depths.

4. Reduces Anxiety and Stress

Many freedivers struggle with performance anxiety. Breathwork techniques for freediving teach you to manage stress, leading to a more enjoyable and meditative diving experience. Techniques such as box breathing and alternate nostril breathing can be applied both in and out of the water.

5. Supports Overall Health and Well-Being

Even outside the water, breathwork improves mental clarity, reduces inflammation, and enhances emotional resilience, making it a powerful tool for both freedivers and non-divers alike. Daily breathwork practice can lead to better sleep, increased focus, and improved cardiovascular health.

Preparing for Your First Freediving Retreat in Tenerife

How to Get Ready for an Unforgettable Experience

Attending your first freediving retreat in Tenerife is exciting, but preparation is key to making the most of it. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Train Your Breathwork in Advance

Freediving is 80% mental. Start practicing breath-hold techniques for freediving to increase your lung capacity and enhance your ability to relax underwater. Try incorporating CO2 and O2 tables into your training routine to build breath-hold endurance.

2. Build Your Physical Fitness

While freediving relies on relaxation, being in good physical condition helps. Focus on flexibility, core strength, and swimming endurance to improve your experience. Activities like yoga and Pilates can be especially beneficial, as they promote breath control and body awareness.

3. Pack the Right Gear

Most retreats provide equipment, but if you have personal gear, bring your freediving mask, snorkel, and wetsuit for a better fit and comfort. Choosing the right thickness for your wetsuit is crucial, as Tenerife’s waters can vary in temperature depending on the season.

4. Learn Basic Equalization Techniques

Equalization is crucial for depth diving. Practice the Frenzel maneuver and other techniques before arriving to avoid ear discomfort. Equalization workshops are often part of the retreat, but having a foundational understanding before you arrive will help you progress faster.

5. Set an Open Mindset

A freediving retreat in Tenerife is more than just training—it’s about self-discovery. Be open to learning, embracing challenges, and connecting deeply with yourself and nature. The retreat experience often leads to personal growth, allowing you to gain insights that extend far beyond the water.

Top 5 Benefits of Attending a Freediving Retreat in Tenerife

Why Choose a Freediving Retreat in Tenerife?

Tenerife, with its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, is an ideal destination for freedivers of all levels. A freediving retreat in Tenerife is more than just an escape—it’s a transformative experience that combines breathwork, mindfulness, and deep connection with the ocean. Whether you're looking to improve your diving skills, explore breathtaking underwater landscapes, or simply reconnect with yourself, Tenerife provides the perfect environment.

1. Improve Your Freediving Skills

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced freediver, a retreat allows you to refine your techniques under expert guidance. You’ll practice depth training, equalization techniques, and relaxation methods to enhance your performance and safety in the water. Tenerife’s diverse dive sites, including volcanic formations and underwater caves, provide an excellent training ground to challenge yourself and develop confidence.

Additionally, expert instructors offer personalized coaching to help you overcome mental and physical barriers, ensuring that you make progress regardless of your current level.

2. Experience the Healing Power of the Ocean

Freediving is not just a sport; it’s a meditative practice. Immersing yourself in Tenerife’s serene underwater world fosters deep relaxation, reduces stress, and promotes a sense of inner peace. Studies have shown that being near water has a positive impact on mental health, reducing anxiety and promoting mindfulness.

By diving without the constraints of heavy scuba gear, freedivers experience a unique sense of freedom and harmony with nature. The sensation of gliding through the water with only your breath creates a deep state of flow, allowing you to connect with yourself on a profound level.

3. Learn Breathwork for Better Performance

A freediving retreat in Tenerife integrates advanced breathwork techniques, helping you increase lung capacity, improve oxygen efficiency, and stay calm under pressure. Proper breathing techniques are essential for freediving success, as they enhance relaxation and prolong dive times.

During the retreat, you’ll learn pranayama techniques, diaphragmatic breathing, and CO2 tolerance exercises to strengthen your respiratory system. These techniques not only benefit freediving but also contribute to overall well-being, reducing stress and increasing mental clarity.

4. Connect with Like-Minded Individuals

Joining a retreat means becoming part of a community of ocean lovers. You’ll share experiences, challenges, and personal growth moments, creating lifelong connections. Freediving is a deeply personal journey, but it’s also one that thrives on collective support.

By spending time with fellow freedivers, you’ll exchange knowledge, tips, and stories, forming friendships that often extend beyond the retreat. Many participants find that the retreat experience fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

5. Explore Tenerife’s Stunning Dive Sites

Tenerife offers world-class dive sites with volcanic formations, caves, and abundant marine life. During the retreat, you’ll explore the island’s best freediving locations, guided by experts who know the waters inside out. Sites like Los Chuchos, Tabaiba, and Radazul offer unique underwater landscapes, allowing freedivers to experience Tenerife’s rich marine biodiversity.

The Search for Meaning: Why Experiences Matter More Than Possessions

The Shift from Having to Being

For decades, society has told us that success means more—more money, more possessions, more achievements. Yet, despite accumulating more than ever before, people feel empty, restless, and disconnected. Why? Because we were never meant to measure our lives by what we own.

True fulfillment comes not from possessions, but from experiences. The moments that take our breath away, that push us beyond our comfort zones, that connect us deeply to ourselves and others—these are the things that truly matter.

Why Buying More Never Feels Like Enough

Dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to reward, plays a key role in our pursuit of “more.” Every purchase, every achievement gives us a short-lived high, but the feeling quickly fades, leaving us chasing the next hit. This cycle keeps us stuck in an endless loop of consumption, always seeking but never truly satisfied.

Experiences, on the other hand, provide lasting joy because they shape who we are. Traveling to a new place, learning a new skill, or pushing our physical and mental limits creates deep, meaningful memories that possessions never could.

The Ocean as the Ultimate Teacher

Freediving offers a powerful lesson in what truly matters. When you dive, there’s no room for material concerns—only the raw experience of being present in the moment. You’re not defined by what you own but by what you feel, what you learn, and how deeply you connect with yourself and the world around you.

Breathwork: The Experience of Being Alive

Breathwork, like freediving, teaches us that the most profound experiences come from within. The simple act of breathing with awareness can induce a deep sense of presence, helping us realize that fulfillment doesn’t come from external sources but from our own ability to experience life fully.

How to Prioritize Experiences Over Possessions

• Invest in learning: Take a freediving course, join a retreat, or try a new adventure that challenges you.

• Seek depth over quantity: Instead of buying more, focus on creating deeper, more meaningful experiences.

• Practice mindfulness: Engage fully in each moment, whether you’re diving into the ocean or simply breathing.

• Surround yourself with like-minded people: Those who value experiences will inspire you to live more fully.

At the end of life, we won’t remember the things we owned—we’ll remember the moments that made us feel truly alive. The question is: Are you collecting things, or are you collecting memories?

The Fear of Stillness: Why We Avoid Being Alone with Our Thoughts

The Modern Dilemma: Constant Distraction

We live in an era where silence feels uncomfortable, even threatening. The moment there’s a pause, we reach for our phones, scroll through social media, or turn on music. Sitting alone in a quiet room without stimulation? For many, that’s unthinkable. But why? Why are we so afraid of stillness?

The answer lies in how our minds have been conditioned. In a world designed for constant input, we have lost the ability to simply be. We equate busyness with purpose, stimulation with happiness, and distraction with relief. But the truth is, our avoidance of stillness is keeping us from the very clarity and peace we crave.

What Happens When We Stop?

Stillness brings us face to face with our unfiltered thoughts. Without the buffer of entertainment or external validation, we have no choice but to witness what’s truly inside. This can be uncomfortable, even unsettling, because it means confronting our fears, doubts, and unresolved emotions.

But here’s the paradox: avoiding stillness doesn’t make those feelings go away. Instead, they manifest as stress, anxiety, and an underlying sense of restlessness.

Freediving: The Ultimate Lesson in Presence

Freediving forces you to embrace stillness in its purest form. There’s no escape underwater—only your breath, your heartbeat, and the vast, quiet blue. The moment you resist, panic creeps in. The moment you surrender, peace takes over.

This is why freediving is such a powerful teacher. It strips away the noise, the distractions, and the false sense of control we cling to in everyday life. It teaches us that true calmness isn’t found in external distractions but in inner stillness.

Breathwork: A Tool to Befriend Silence

Breathwork offers a way to practice stillness without needing the ocean. When you consciously control your breath, you tap into your nervous system, slow down your mind, and create space for clarity. Instead of running from silence, you learn to sit with it—and eventually, to welcome it.

How to Reclaim Your Stillness

• Start small: Try sitting in silence for just five minutes a day. No phone, no music—just you and your breath.

• Breathe consciously: Practice deep breathing techniques to calm your nervous system.

• Spend time in nature: The ocean, the mountains, even a quiet park can help reconnect you to stillness.

• Observe your thoughts: Instead of resisting uncomfortable thoughts, acknowledge them and let them pass like waves.

The ability to sit with yourself is one of the most powerful skills you can develop. Because when you stop running, you realize that everything you were searching for outside has been within you all along.

The Dopamine Trap: Finding Stillness Through Freediving & Breathwork

The Age of Restlessness

In today’s fast-paced world, we are constantly chasing the next dopamine hit—scrolling through social media, seeking external validation, and distracting ourselves with endless consumption. We have forgotten how to sit in stillness, how to be with ourselves without looking for something more. This constant stimulation conditions our minds to seek happiness outside of us rather than within.

But what if we could break free from this cycle? What if the key to true fulfillment was not in having more, but in experiencing less?

The Mirror of Freediving

Freediving is a mirror—it reflects your strengths, your fears, and your ability to trust yourself. When you take a deep breath and dive below the surface, you enter a world where everything slows down, and all that matters is the present moment. There is no phone, no notifications, no rush. Just you, your breath, and the vast blue.

Unlike our daily lives, where distraction is constant, freediving forces you to face yourself. It teaches you that true control comes not from grasping but from surrendering. The moment you stop fighting the water and start flowing with it, you find ease and clarity.

Breathwork: The Bridge Between Chaos and Calm

Breathwork offers a similar lesson. Every inhale and exhale is an opportunity to return to yourself. When practiced with intention, breathwork has the power to regulate your nervous system, calm an overstimulated mind, and reconnect you to your inner world.

Studies have shown that deep breathing reduces cortisol levels, improves focus, and enhances overall well-being. By integrating simple breathwork techniques into your daily life, you create space for stillness—a moment of peace in the middle of the chaos.

The Illusion of More

Society conditions us to believe that we always need more—more success, more possessions, more experiences. But the truth is, we often look outward to avoid looking inward.

We define our worth through external achievements, comparing ourselves to others rather than embracing our authentic selves. The result? A restless mind that never feels enough.

Freediving and breathwork offer an antidote to this mindset. They remind us that fulfillment comes from presence, not from accumulation. That true wealth is not found in what we own, but in how deeply we experience life.

Finding Your Stillness

If you find yourself constantly seeking, unable to sit still, and feeling like you always need more, take a step back. Ask yourself:

• When was the last time I truly felt present?

• Can I sit with myself in silence without reaching for a distraction?

• What would happen if I embraced stillness instead of running from it?

Joining a freediving and breathwork retreat can be a profound way to reconnect with yourself. In a space free from external noise, you learn to trust your body, regulate your mind, and experience life in its purest form.

The Depths Within You

We are so used to looking outward that we forget to explore what lies within. Freediving teaches us that depth is not just something to be conquered in the ocean—it is something to be discovered within ourselves.

In the stillness of the deep, we find clarity. In the surrender to breath, we find peace. In the release of external validation, we find true freedom.

Are you ready to dive inward?

Breathwork for Stress Relief – Unlock the Power of Your Breath

Did you know that the way you breathe can directly impact your stress levels, mental clarity, and overall health?

At our breathwork and freediving retreats, we teach techniques that not only enhance your ability to hold your breath underwater but also bring deep relaxation and focus to everyday life.

What is Breathwork and Why is it Important?

Breathwork involves conscious control of your breathing patterns to improve oxygenation, reduce stress, and enhance mental and physical performance. It is used by freedivers, yogis, and high-performance athletes to increase lung capacity, improve focus, and regulate the nervous system.

Breathing Techniques We Teach

🌀 Diaphragmatic Breathing – Strengthens your lungs and improves oxygen efficiency.
🌬 Box Breathing – A powerful technique used by freedivers and Navy SEALs to stay calm under pressure.
🧘 Pranayama Breathing – Ancient yogic techniques that promote mindfulness and relaxation.
✨ Connected Breath - A technique that enables you to dive deep into your subconscious mind.
💨 CO2 Tolerance Training – Helps you extend breath-hold times and adapt to higher levels of carbon dioxide.

Scientific Benefits of Breathwork

Research has shown that controlled breathing exercises can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels

• Improve focus and cognitive function

• Enhance cardiovascular health and oxygen efficiency

• Strengthen lung capacity and athletic endurance

• Improve sleep quality and relaxation

How Breath is Used in Freediving

Freedivers rely on advanced breath-hold techniques to maximize their time underwater. By training their breathing, they develop:

• Greater CO2 tolerance, allowing for longer and more comfortable dives

• Better mental clarity, reducing fear and anxiety in deep water

• Improved relaxation, helping them conserve oxygen while diving

How to Practice Breathwork Daily

If you’re new to breathwork, try this simple Box Breathing technique:

1️⃣ Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
2️⃣ Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
3️⃣ Exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds.
4️⃣ Hold for another 4 seconds before inhaling again.

This cycle calms the nervous system and enhances mental focus, making it perfect for stress relief, work performance, and even athletic training.

Join Our Breathwork Retreat in Tenerife

Want to take your breathwork practice to the next level? Join our Tenerife breathwork and freediving retreat, where you’ll learn from expert instructors and experience the power of the ocean. Whether you’re looking to enhance athletic performance, reduce stress, or simply explore a new skill, this retreat is for you!

🔹 Limited spots available – reserve your place today!

The Science and Art of Freediving: A Journey Through Breath and Depth

Freediving: A Dance Between Mind, Body, and Ocean

Freediving is often misunderstood as just an extreme sport—something for adrenaline seekers chasing depth records. But at its core, it is an ancient, meditative practice that combines breath control, mental discipline, and a deep connection with the water. Before scuba tanks existed, humans relied on their ability to adapt to apnea (breath-hold diving) for survival—whether hunting, gathering pearls, or exploring the ocean. Today, it has evolved into a practice of self-discovery, where each dive is a conversation between the body and the sea.

But what actually happens when you hold your breath and descend into the deep?

The Mammalian Dive Reflex: How Your Body Becomes One with the Ocean

When you submerge your face in water and hold your breath, your body triggers an ancient physiological response called the Mammalian Dive Reflex (MDR). This is the same reflex that allows marine mammals like dolphins and seals to dive for long periods. The MDR consists of several adaptations:

🔹 Bradycardia (Slower Heart Rate): Your heart rate can drop by up to 50%, conserving oxygen.
🔹 Peripheral Vasoconstriction: Blood flow is redirected from limbs to vital organs like the brain and heart, prioritizing survival.
🔹 Blood Shift: As you dive deeper, blood fills the lung capillaries, preventing lung collapse under pressure.

These adaptations make it possible for freedivers to reach incredible depths without needing oxygen tanks. And the best part? You don’t have to be a professional athlete to train your body to adapt—anyone can learn.

The Right Breathing: The Foundation of Freediving and Stress Resilience

Breathwork isn’t just about holding your breath—it’s about training your nervous system, oxygen efficiency, and mental focus. Freedivers like Jan Koller and Laia Sopeña understand that breathing is 80% of freediving. Before you even enter the water, your ability to control your breath determines how well you’ll perform.

So, what are the key breathwork techniques that can improve freediving and overall well-being?

1. CO2 Tolerance Training: Learning to Handle the Urge to Breathe

One of the biggest challenges in freediving is overcoming the body’s natural urge to breathe. Contrary to popular belief, this urge isn’t caused by a lack of oxygen—it’s triggered by rising CO2 levels in your blood. Training your body to tolerate higher CO2 allows you to hold your breath longer and stay calm under pressure.

Try This:
1️⃣ Inhale deeply, then exhale only 50% of your air.
2️⃣ Hold your breath for as long as you can while remaining relaxed.
3️⃣ When the urge to breathe becomes intense, take a slow inhale and repeat.

This trains your body to resist CO2 buildup and adapt to higher levels without panic.

2. Diaphragmatic Breathing: Expanding Your Breath Capacity

Most people breathe shallowly from their chest, using only a small portion of their lung capacity. Freedivers train diaphragmatic breathing to fully oxygenate their blood before a dive.

Try This:
1️⃣ Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
2️⃣ Breathe in deeply through your nose, making sure your belly expands first, not your chest.
3️⃣ Exhale slowly through your mouth.

This type of breathing strengthens your lungs, improves oxygen efficiency, and promotes relaxation.

3. Apnea Walking: Simulating the Stress of a Dive

Freediving isn’t just about breath-holding in a controlled environment—it’s about learning to stay calm when your body is moving and consuming oxygen. Apnea walking is a training method where divers hold their breath while walking, simulating the physical stress of a dive.

Try This:
1️⃣ Take a deep breath, then walk as far as you can while holding it.
2️⃣ Track how many steps you can take before you need to breathe.
3️⃣ Over time, increase your steps as your CO2 tolerance improves.

This method enhances lung efficiency and mental control, making it an excellent practice not just for freedivers but for anyone who wants to improve endurance and focus.

How Jan Koller & Laia Sopeña Approach Freediving

What makes Jan Koller and Laia Sopeña unique as freedivers and instructors is their holistic approach. While many freediving schools focus solely on techniques and numbers, they emphasize the mental, emotional, and even spiritual aspects of freediving.

Jan’s background in extreme sports and deep breathwork experience has allowed him to create a unique method that goes beyond traditional freediving. He integrates breathwork with mental resilience techniques, helping students overcome fear and develop confidence in the water.

Laia, as a vice world champion freediver, understands the psychological game of freediving at the highest level. She brings her expertise in yoga, movement, and body awareness to freediving, ensuring that students develop a strong mind-body connection rather than just chasing depth numbers.

Together, their approach is about developing a lifelong relationship with the ocean—not just a one-time experience.

Why Freediving and Breathwork Can Change Your Life

Freediving isn’t just about how deep you can go. It’s about what happens when you let go of control and surrender to the ocean. It teaches patience, self-awareness, and resilience. Many who practice freediving notice changes far beyond the water:

✅ Reduced stress & anxiety – Breathwork activates the parasympathetic nervous system, creating a deep sense of calm.
✅ Better lung health – Freediving expands your lung capacity and improves oxygen efficiency.
✅ Increased focus & mental clarity – Training the mind to stay present under pressure translates to everyday life.

Whether you're drawn to freediving for adventure, relaxation, or self-improvement, the principles you learn extend far beyond the ocean.

Final Thoughts: A Journey Into the Deep

Freediving is a mirror—it reflects your strengths, your fears, and your ability to trust yourself. When you take a deep breath and dive below the surface, you enter a world where everything slows down, and all that matters is the present moment.

This is the experience Jan Koller and Laia Sopeña offer—not just a freediving course, but a transformation in the way you breathe, move, and connect with the ocean.

If you’re ready to explore the depths—not just of the sea, but of yourself—this is where it begins. 🌊