Written by Rebecca Coales

When I trained as a Yoga Sports Coach™ in 2012, I worked with a freediving athlete as part of my YSS case study research.

It had occurred to me at the time that I might end up applying the principles to myself as an international freediver, but little did I know that I would go on to become a record-breaking athlete.

Applying What I'd Learnt

I'd been freediving for four years and practising yoga for about the same length of time. I'd also been teaching yoga for two years when I started the Yoga Sports Science® (YSS) course.

I wanted to gain a better understanding of the functional aspects of yoga in relation to the biomechanics of sport and discover new ways to work with athletes.

My case study gave me time to study freediving biomechanics closely, from videos of elite athletes to divers in my own club.

Having worked with a diver for 10 weeks to improve her monofin technique (underwater dolphin kick), I was delighted when she went on to set new perso...