Freedive Education
Course Information + Locations
January 2024 -May 23rd 2024: Courses & Depth Training Available
Where: Blue Element Freedive Center, Dominica (Caribbean)
Wave 1 || Introduction to Freediving
Discover the underwater world in the most natural way by holding your breath. In this entry level course, you will learn the basics of freediving, breathwork, and realize your natural freediving ability. Learn techniques to comfortably hold the breath beyond a minute and safely freedive between 12-20 meters. Knowledge topics include the physics and physiology of freediving, introduction to equalization, yoga flows specified for freedivers, and proper safety procedures.
Completion of the course includes a Wave 1 (Level 1) Molchanov Certification. 2.5 day course, price: $350USD
Wave 2 || Intermediate Level Course
In this intermediate course, students learn how to train the body for freediving past 20 meters and participate in structured breathwork sessions designed to enhance depth training. Advanced students will be guided through a series of yoga flows designed specifically for freediving, and achieve a two and a half minute static breathold. The course also includes pre-dive optimization, improvement of equalization, and advanced meditation techniques. To participate in a Wave 2 Course, divers must have completed any entry level freedive course or have a Wave 1 certification. 3 day course, price $395 USD
Wave 3 || Advanced Level Course
Establish comfortable dives up to 40 meters and a static breathold of three & half minutes, demonstrate proper technique in all depth disciplines and develop a greater understanding of advanced physiological and mental implications. Course theory includes advanced equalization + mouthful, daily yoga + lung stretching, how to develop a progressive depth training regime and more. Wave 3 is a semi-professional certificate that enables you to act as an assistant instructor and equips you with the according level of knowledge and skills.
3 day course, Price $400 USD
Breathwork
Establishing connection between the breath and mind is vital for maintaining a balanced and healthy life. A consistent breathwork routine can regulate the parasympathetic nervous system, boosts the immune system, relieves anxiety, elevates brain empowerment, and promotes recovery.
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.
Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Through Samudra’s remote breathwork series, you will attain techniques that facilitate and improve breathing habits, meditation, relaxation, healing and overall mental wellness.
4 Session Series - Introduction to Pranayama, learning to connect to the breath, exploring various breathwork exercises, theory on the importance of nasal breathing, basics meditation and visualization techniques. This series is for anyone looking to improve breathing habits or add healthy, holistic practices into daily life.
6 Session Series - Fine tune the breath-mind connection, intended for those who want to improve their apnea training & freediving. Includes Pranayama breathwork sessions with additional more advanced breathold techniques, a series of yoga flows and guided meditation. The 6 session series is a wonderful breathwork regime for those wanting to improve freediving skills and expand into deeper breathwork.
Experiences & Reviews
“Samudra has the ability to transform your life, bottom line. You can tell Allie has found her purpose and life's work in this practice from her ability to connect to students and leave such a unique imprint on their lives. There are very few people in the world like Allie. She is an incredible freediver whom I have had the pleasure of learning from and training with. She incorporates breathwork and important yoga flows to help with diaphragm strengthening (among many other things) to build a foundation for your body to withstand pressure at depth. She is spiritual, she is patient, understanding, knowledgeable and experienced. She has the ability to make a difference in your life, whether it's freediving, yoga, flexibility, breathwork, mental challenges, or spirituality. I very highly recommend Samudra”
-Tanner M.
“I can’t imagine a better teacher than Allie to learn the foundations of freediving and breathwork. She is so knowledgeable and her passion for freediving carries over into her teaching. From the start, she explains the principles of freediving and breathwork so clearly and helps you feel comfortable and confident in the water. Her patience and understanding makes her such an accommodating teacher, always happy to help you find a way to reach your goals. Thanks to Allie I was able to achieve more than I imagined myself capable of.”
Emma W.
"Allie is an excellent instructor who makes you feel safe and comfortable while achieving your freediving goals. She went over the course material thoroughly and ensured a great foundation into the world of freediving. Beyond class she continues to be a great resource in answering any questions I had. I would highly recommend her course and look forward to partaking in the Wave 2 freediving course."
- Josef G.
“The Samudra experience is unique in that it intentionally connects mind and body with the ocean, achieving a holistic approach to freediving. Allie’s knowledge, experience, and exceptional leadership are apparent and I fully trusted her to guide me to safely push my own physical limits. Her teaching style made this sport click for me. I was able to do more, comfortably, than ever before. Both in and out of the water, Samudra has made me a stronger human.”
Jess D.
“Learning from Allie was a wonderful experience. I could not have asked for a better teacher; she fosters a relaxed, safe and comfortable atmosphere during training, which really helps when freediving. I really enjoyed her holistic approach, not only guiding us while we took our first steps but also incorporating elements of yoga, powerful breath work & relaxation techniques. She answered all my questions and was very thorough and patient. Samudra really helped me kickstart my freediving journey, I’m very grateful for that!”
Rodrigo H.
“Thank you to Samudra for taking the time to teach me about breathwork. Since I’ve started taking it seriously I’ve seen a huge improvement in my comfortability while diving and my physical/mental states. Breathing exercises in this series can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system. Its really important to add these kind of exercises into your routine, learn more about it with Samudra..”
- Madi
“Training with Allie was amazing! Her approach to freediving is safe but always fun! I love how she takes the pressure off by saying things like, “if it doesn’t feel good, just come back up” I learned how to do statics, bi-fins, and line dives and how to safety! But the greatest lesson of all was how to trust myself and my body’s capabilities to explore how free I could truly be under the sea. I can’t wait to train with Allie again!”
Jessica Barnes