Freediving is the closest thing to meditation, says freediver

Diving several meters underwater without a breathing aid is “the closest thing to praying or meditating,” says Egyptian freediver Raghda Ezzeldin (watch, runtime 03:37). Freedivers, who undergo training and take serious safety precautions, are judged by the depth of their dives as well as how long they can stay underwater. Red Sea sites like Ras Mohamed and Dahab are freediving Meccas for novices and experts. At their Red Sea workshops, Ezzeldin and her fellow freediver Alia Hassan teach enthusiasts everything from how to get suited up to the crucial skill of relaxing in the water. And while freedivers chase their own depth and time records, the real reward is the sense of peace, Hassan said.