Dahab, the world’s freediving Mecca, is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt home to the legendary Blue Hole. Surrounded by vibrant corals and marine life this will be your classroom during the diving sessions.
This course is the brainchild of Fabi which intertwines freediving and hatha yoga
“I began my yoga and freediving journey in 2018 and it took me some years to start uncovering the close connection between the two. Although both activities are physically demanding, the real challenge lies in mastering the mind. As Roberto, who coached me just half a year after my spinal cord injury, likes to say: “freediving is a mental sport”. And he is right. My mind is the most difficult thing to conquer while going deep below the water surface. Diving practice but especially breathing and meditation methods help to calm the mind and extend the breath-hold under water. That’s where Hatha Yoga comes in. Different carefully chosen asanas will strengthen the body and enhance flexibility. Long posture holds and sitting meditation will help you build mental resilience, finding clarity, and nurturing a sense of peace that extends beyond the yoga mat or ocean depths.”
Yoga and diving were the first two activities that Fabian Lentsch could resume just a few months after his spinal cord injury. Having experienced the transformative power of this combination, Fabi now seeks to offer it to everyone interested in trying something new or enhancing their yoga and diving skills.
Special for our first Week in May 2024 is, that Fabi will be there with our guests, on the mat and in the water.
What awaits you
Roberto, assisted by his team, will oversee the freedive sessions and theory courses. The course is designed to accommodate both beginners and experienced divers looking to refine their skills. Each buoy will be assigned one instructor for a total of three divers when we are in the water.
Hatha Yoga will be taught by Emilio in the traditional manner as imparted by Acharya Venkatesh in Mysore, India. You will experience the nostalgic old world teaching style which is hard to find nowadays. Focusing on the balance of body, mind and spirit through physical exercises and meditative practices.
Dahab is a laid back fishing town full of fruit markets, mountains and the desert in the background. You can still feel the local Beduin culture with buzzing markets, fresh fruits and hospital locals. Apart from diving it’s possible to make a trip to the desert, climb Mt Sinai, go horseriding etc.
Meet your Guides
Roberto Butera
Freediving Coach for National and World Record Athletes
“I grew up in Sicily and I have always had a special connection with the sea. Attracted by the underwater world and wanting to explore more comfortably at depth, in 2018 I took my first freediving course and suddenly understood that freediving would have been my life. In 2019 I moved to Dahab where I currently work and train.
The most powerful tool that freediving taught me, is how to observe myself and the rest that is going on around me in a separate way, with a more calm and deeper approach regarding many aspects in life.”
Emilio Dolcini
Traditional Yoga Teacher
Emilio practices and teaches Yoga in the traditional and authentic form as learned from his teacher Acharya Venkatesh from Mysore since 2010. Applying the same rules recommended to the followers of the Yoga path, considering this as a way of self-knowledge and highest expression of human potential to spiritual realization. Different techniques represent tools and fields to manifest our micro-universe vision, observing, comprehending and reshaping our reality to experience new discoveries and perceptions.
On a regular basis, the teaching is applied with the traditional method allowing the student to develop a personified and individual practice suitable to his level and goals. Using only verbal instructions without doing any adjustments and avoiding props. For these reasons, Emilio works with small and heterogeneous groups with the purpose to give constant and full attention to each participant.
Fabian Lentsch
We think if you found Snowmads Travel – you know who Fabian Lentsch is.
Fabi has spent much time studying with both – Roberto in Dahab and Acharya Venkatesh in Mysore, India. So he‘s very familiar with the program and will also be attaining the course. While he‘s not an instructor he will still be happy to support you during your week there and share memorable moments together.
Group Size
Min. 3, Max. 12
Starting Point
Airport SSH Sharm el Sheikh
Activities
Freediving & Yoga
Next Date
25.05.24 - 01.06.24
Costs
1280 € (If you want to prelong your trip and stay more nights at the Coral Coast let us now - we can offer you a good rate)
The Package Includes
- 6 days of freedive coaching in and off the water (beginner / advanced)
- Static sessions in the private pool of Coral Coast
- dive sessions in the Blue Hole
- equalization classes
- extend your breath-hold
- theory about how your body behaves under water exposed to pressure
- freediving techniques: get to know free immersion on the rope using your arms and constant weight bifins as well, using your fins properly
- 7 days of traditional hatha yoga
- Asana postures
- Pranayama
- Backbending
- Bandhas
- Lectures on nutrition
- Extras included
- Blue Hole transfers
- Double room (options for single room/double room + extra bed available, please inquire)
- Breakfast and lunch snack
- Not included
- Rental equipment for diving (15€/day)
- Blue Hole diving permit (10€/ day total 30-50€)
- Dinner (one group dinner will be covered by us)
- Single room
- Tips for guides
- Airport Transfer
- 6 days of freedive coaching in and off the water (beginner / advanced)
Itinerary
- We will try to get into a routine that will look like this:
- early morning yoga
- water and fruits
- break
- freedive theory & brunch
- break
- diving session at Blue Hole
- lunch
- debrief
- long break
- freetime/yoga/apnea theory according to energy levels
Skills And Fitness Required
- This course is especially suitable for beginners however the coaching will be individually so you can enhance your skills if you are already familiar with freediving. There are maximum three people on each buoy with similar skills.
Same goes for Yoga. Get an introduction into Hatha Yoga or work on your existing yoga skills. Emilio will also teach individually during sessions.
Skills you will take home from that course:
- Become confident on dives up to 20 meter or more if you are new to freediving.
- Get confident with 30 or even 40 meter dives if you already have some experience. We will assign people to buoys according to their skills levels.
- CMAS Freediver license.
- After this course you will be able to continue your own yoga routine which suits your schedules.
- Handle life and daily going ons with more confidence and tranquility.
Is Freediving risky?
- When you start holding your breath for the first times, at a certain point you will feel inevitably some discomforts. What are they triggered from? From your mind and from your body: The mind is surprised, not used to it and starts wandering, in other words: simply starts freaking out. The body notices an increased level of co2 in our blood which causes the urge to breath. High levels of co2 in our body are totally safe, there is no risk of brain damages and no hypoxia or loss of consciousness will be experienced during the courses. Everybody with the right training and guidance can reach a mark of 3/4 minutes dry static breath hold with 2/4 weeks of practice. Trust in your body and relaxation are the keys to success.
What to bring?
- If you have, bring your own mask, snorkel, fins and diving suit.
- In case you consider buying your equipment before the course, we can help you with that, including which products, etc.
- If you don't have equipment and you don't want to buy some before, don't worry, we will arrange a rental for you, mention this in the registration form.
- Yoga Mat: If you have your own that you like to bring do it; otherwise, mats will be available.
- Comfy, stretchy clothes for yoga.
- Towel.
Arrival
Approach the airport SSH - Sharm el Sheikh
You can find flights from all major cities to SSH and also cheaper options with Easy Jet from MXP or WizzAir from Vienna VIE for example. Contact us, if you need help. Also we can arrange transports from the airport for you.
If the dates don't match with flights from your home, let us know. There are many options.Food
- Breakfast buffet at the Coral Coast Hotel and a lunch snack are included. Vegetarian meals are available.
Accommodation
- We will stay at the Coral Coast Hotel directly at the ocean which is locally owned by a Bedouin Sheikh and directly supports the local community. You will appreciate the hotel's commitment to eco-tourism, reef conservation, and use of fresh produce from local farmers. Embracing authentic Bedouin culture, the hotel offers simplicity in its rooms, local cuisine, and decor, providing a truly unique "Dahab" experience. Double Superior rooms are included in the price. Options for single room/double room + extra bed or a family room are available.
Visa Information
- No visa needed for EU citizens when trip is shorter than 15 days.
Which Insurance do I need
- We recommend you to get a travel insurance.
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How to book your trip
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- Place your non-binding booking request
- You will receive your personal or group offer + a standard information sheet from us within three days
- Let us know if you want to accept the offer (valid for seven days)
- When you are ready you will immediately receive the travel contract with all further information
- Transfer the 20% advanced payment within seven days (you now have a spot for the trip)
- The remaining amount is due 20 days before the start of the trip (you will receive a reminder email)