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ZEN DIVING ?


Contrary to popular opinion, you do not need to be certified to go on a beginning scuba dive...

You do, however, need to be accompanied by a licensed and insured dive instructor. ..I specialize in introductory scuba because I love to teach newcomers how-to-dive. I enjoy the look of discovery and the satisfaction of facing and conquering ones inner fears or anxieties.


The sport of diving, has been perceived erroneously as (maybe because of television) being dangerous... So many people I ask to try diving, say to me, half kiddingly; " maybe after I sky dive or bungee jump...." Diving is easy...ridiculously easy...the only barriers to diving are the ones you erect yourself with your own fears. I like to teach a Zen or meditative approach to diving..concentrating on the importance of breath and teaching one to relax.



In Yoga or Zen meditation classes the student is taught the OMM sound. This spiritual mantra sound is used as a focus for quieting ones inner mind and thoughts..but, I believe the true significance of this sound is the fact that one is taught to hold the note as long as he or she is able. In doing so they are forced to exhale almost all their breath. All that bad, CO2 and often smoke filled air, is finally emptied from the lungs allowing fresh, oxygenated air to be inhaled in its stead. Most people only use a small portion of their lung capacity for breathing...perhaps as little as 40 or 50% fresh air is inhaled on top of 50 to 60% used, noxious gases. This type of breathing is similar to panic breathing which is short and shallow breaths. Of course panic is the real killer in diving just as it is in any many other sports. It is important to keep your cool and to think, breath and then act in any tough or fearful situation.

Panic breath means that one never is able to take a complete breath because one never fully exhales their prior breath. I use laughter, singing and even primal scream techniques to force my students to exhale in conjunction with a shallow off shore reef dive to bring all the best parts of diving to the first timer.

On that first dive, depending on ones individual abilities, I try to give the student a comprehensive idea of the dive, the equipment, the signals, what to expect... but at the same time each diver is led down individually so that all one has to do is breath (and equalize.. explained in the pre-dive discussion) and I do the rest. Still by having a thorough over-view each diver has the option of absorbing as much information as they are capable.

I stress breath techniques, and buoyancy control (weightlessness ..just like the astronauts). Also maneuvering and body control underwater...It is surprisingly easy!

Also any diving one does with me counts towards eventually certification if they continue to dive with me..and some instructors and dive agencies will credit your previous dive experiences towards a open 1 cert. course. Supervised diving is very safe! In a time when most insurance rates are skyrocketing the dive industries rates are incredibly low because the accident statistics today are incredibly low. In my dive area I have not had a single negative incident or encounter with marine life.

The underwater world is breathtakingly beautiful and combined with the freedom from gravity should make anyone take the plunge.

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