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As we discuss Umberto’s style of diving, Aharon explains how his philosophy has influenced them: "What he demonstrates is that elegance and style go hand in hand with free-diving". We also cover some abdominal breathing exercises. Changing to this method of breathing increases the capacity and efficiency of the lungs. So why isn't everybody taught this? Aharon smiles: "It's not that we don't learn, it's that we've forgotten. Watch a baby breathe; it's all from the abdomen". As we are closing the books for the day, Aharon gives me a final piece of advice: “Remember, it's all about the mind and body working together. While free diving we enter a contract with our body. We develop a sensitivity to what it's saying and above all we learn to listen to it". There's a lot of talk of "the mind". Umberto says that to get past your physical limits you must dive with your head.  

The next day I'm taken out for my first constant-weight training session. I soon learn that it's not all about fining up and down a line. Aharon and MT teach a variety of methods for descent and ascent. 

On the third day we're back at the line for more constant-weight training. I am more relaxed and comfortable. The breathing comes together and my mind starts to get to grips with pre-dive visualisations. Constant weight and static training sessions continue and Aharon and MT lecture on equipment and how to build up a personal training schedule.  

By the end of the firth day, I have built up to a breath-hold of 3 min 5 sec.  It's the end of the week, and our final session on the line. About 23m below I see what appears to me like a small VW, and ends up being a huge Grouper hovering. I fin down to join it. In silence we come head to head. The grouper remains still,
 

On my last dive of the day I manage 20m, and hit the surface desperate to breathe. I feel I have already reached my physical limit. Despite this I feel safe. My buoyancy is such that at 15m I could float to the surface without effort. Also comforting is that during every dive Aharon or MT follow me down, watching for any sign of problems. In the afternoon Aharon introduces me to static apnea, using tables designed by Umberto's coaching and medical team. The purpose is to build up tolerance to increased levels of carbon dioxide and a decrease in oxygen levels, the same physiological changes a free-diver's body goes through during a constant-weight dive.

We carry out more breathing exercises, with Aharon and MT talking us through visualisation and relaxation techniques. Then we go out into the shallows to start the exercises. The first breath-hold is the shortest and hardest. However after a few more something weird happens - it gets easier. On the last one I don't want to come up. I've held my breath for 2min 20sec and strangely, it feels as if only a minute has gone by.   

gazing at me. After what seems like 10 seconds I decide to ascend. When I tell MT about the encounter she smiles and tells me that often free-diving is "about having the time you need down there". Aharon tells me to "go and say hello to the grouper" but I go into a glide and sail past it. My depth this time is 28.4m, my journey home is filled with thoughts of gliding through clear, blue waters. I have opened the door to a silent, peaceful place where my mind and body are totally relaxed. I feel a strong desire to return. 

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