Dive into stillness with underwater meditation in Mumbai

Dr Arpit Bansal, founder of Blue Mind Underwater Meditation, leads a session of guided meditation underwater at the Fairmont Mumbai, Vile Parle

On a cloudy Monday morning, we head to the pool at the Fairmont Mumbai, Vile Parle. Not for a swim, but to get into the water for - hold your breath - underwater meditation.

At first, we assume it was simply a clever name for meditation by the pool. For a water sign like ours, water usually means rumination. Little did we know that we would soon be wearing snorkel gear, carrying a tank on our backs, and descending to the bottom of the pool, breathing compressed air as we settle into one of the most unexpectedly profound meditation experiences we have ever had.

Our monkey minds have never been particularly enamoured by the business of sitting still. Yoga and breathwork often come with the familiar challenge of a mind that wanders, thoughts that interrupt and focus that refuses to stay put.

Underwater, something shifts.

Dr Arpit Bansal

The body has no choice but to pay attention to the breath. Every inhale and exhale becomes deliberate. For the first few minutes, the equipment is unfamiliar, the sensation of being submerged takes over, followed by the gentle task of acclimatising.

Then, almost unnoticeably, something changes. The noise falls away. You stop trying to meditate. You simply breathe. And somewhere between the silence of the water and the rhythm of your breath, the mind finally lets go.

Underwater meditation may sound like a novelty, but variations of aquatic meditation, breathwork, and mindful immersion are gaining global attention as wellness moves towards more immersive experiences. The broader ‘Blue Mind' movement, popularised by marine biologist Wallace J Nichols, explores how being around, in, or near water can influence our sense of calm, wellbeing, and connection. Globally, wellness practitioners are taking that idea further, combining water immersion with meditation, breathwork, floatation and freediving-inspired practices. The appeal lies partly in the environment itself: water dampens sound, supports the body, and creates a natural separation from everyday stimulation.

At the Longevity Summit, what we experienced was Blue Mind Underwater Meditation, a guided meditation conducted in water, in which participants focus on their breath, body awareness, and internal state while experiencing the water's stillness and support. For its founder, Dr Arpit Bansal, the practice connects with his Red Mind (overstimulated, anxious state) to Blue Mind (calm, peaceful state) philosophy.

He has also explored the possibilities of human adaptation through what can be described as an ‘Aquaman' approach to biohacking: using the elements, environment, breath, and the body's natural responses to enhance performance and recovery.

The idea of moving away from constant alertness and mental noise towards greater calm, awareness, and regulation struck him as he was in his pool. "The water environment adds another dimension. With fewer external distractions and the body supported by water, participants are encouraged to turn their attention inward and experience stillness rather than think about it," he adds.

The philosophy also draws on the principle of Zen, centred on presence, awareness, and stillness. What makes the practice relevant to longevity is its focus on relaxation, mindfulness, body awareness and recovery. Rather than presenting meditation as a medical treatment, the experience explores how environmental changes can influence our experiences of stress, stillness, and recovery.

For Dr Bansal, the larger idea is simple: longevity is not only about living longer but also about creating the capacity to recover, reconnect, and live better. Underwater meditation turns that philosophy into an experience, bringing together water, breath, awareness and the human body in a setting where the mind is invited to slow down.

We experience this in real time. Even on a Monday with a hectic day ahead, for those 20 minutes, the world above became a distant blur, the chatter in our heads begins to quieten, and all that remains is the gentle rhythm of breath. For once, there is nowhere to be and nothing to do but inhale, exhale, and surrender to the stillness.

With the tremendous response, Fairmont Mumbai is considering holding these sessions once a month so the city can access underwater meditation regularly, which would be a good thing.