Dive into stillness with underwater meditation in Mumbai

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 mdash hold your breath mdash underwater meditationAt 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 hadOur 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 putUnderwater something shiftsDr Arpit BansalThe 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 acclimatisingThen 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 goUnderwater 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 lsquoBlue Mindrsquo 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 freedivinginspired practices The appeal lies partly in the environment itself water dampens sound supports the body and creates a natural separation from everyday stimulationAt 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 waterrsquos 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 philosophyHe has also explored the possibilities of human adaptation through what can be described as an lsquoAquamanrsquo approach to biohacking using the elements environment breath and the bodyrsquos natural responses to enhance performance and recoveryThe idea of moving away from constant alertness and mental noise towards greater calm awareness and regulation struck him as he was in his pool ldquoThe 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 itrdquo he addsThe 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 recoveryFor 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 downWe 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 stillnessWith 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