The ocean has given me purpose. There is a Japanese word ‘Ikigai’ which refers to combining what you love, what the world needs, what you are good at and what you can get paid for. I am forever grateful and humbled that I am privileged enough to be able to be in a position where I found my Ikigai. ~ Kyra Andrijich
Kyra is the owner, operator behind Salty Hearts Club. Salty Hearts offers Freediving courses and workshops off the stunning Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. We got curious about Freediving and Kyra chats to us about what it is, how it can help mindfulness and mental health, and the joy and gratitude of being underwater and living life by the Indian Ocean.
What kind of Australian environment do you live in?
I am lucky to call the Northwest of WA home. A place surrounded by ocean, where trees are minimal, Spinifex rule the land, the sky looks huge, and the stars light the night. A special place where the outback meets the coast.
How did you get into Freediving, what was the pull?
I think it was the silence that was the initial pull for me (which is ironic because it isn’t completely silent). I had always been comfortable in the water, however after taking a Freediving course, I was really in awe at how calm we can make our heart rate and mind. My experiences underwater improved dramatically once I could slow down, spend more time beneath the surface and finish every dive with a clear mind and that feel-good feeling. That feeling is the pull for sure.
The very first time you free dove, what did you experience?
It’s hard to pinpoint the first time. A strong memory would be snorkelling rock pools with my parents in Kalbarri as a kid. I remember them pointing out a little fish on the reef wall, most probably a Blenny fish. I watched this tiny creature hide and camouflage and I wanted to watch him for hours! One of the first experiences Freediving as an adult I had was with my partner in Victoria. We were diving down 8 metres to find Weedy Sea Dragons under a pier. A challenging experience, but so worth it when we found them! There is something magical about the connection of making eye contact with another animal in a completely different environment.
Freediving is more a mental sport than a physical sport. The goal is to try and let go of our racing mind, surrender to the process. It is a tool, much like meditation, that has a huge positive impact on our mental health.
Describe Freediving to us? Is there a flow on affect to your life on land?
Freediving is the moment you hold your breath underwater, and it is so much more than that. To Freedive well, we spend time with our breath prior to every dive. Breathing into our belly with slower exhales triggers the positive side of our Vagus Nerve. As the Vagus Nerve is responsible for engaging our mood via our rest-digest or fight-flight modes, it most definitely has a flow on affect for life on land. The experience of Freediving should leave us feeling rejuvenated and relaxed (if that isn’t the case, then perhaps a course or coaching is a great place to start).
Kyra on the cover of Australian Geographic
It seems there is a big aspect of breathwork and mindfulness when Freediving, can you explain this to us?
Freediving is more a mental sport than a physical sport. The goal is to try and let go of our racing mind, surrender to the process. It is a tool, much like meditation, that has a huge positive impact on our mental health. Even though when we are underwater, we are holding our breath. Prior to each dive, we spend a lot of time with our breath, lowering our heart rate, and soothing that racing mind. Spending time to get to know ourselves a bit better and how to help our individual minds has an impact on how much calmer we are as Freedivers, and therefore as land dwellers too!
You guide people into Freediving and breathwork through your Salty Hearts Club and in collaboration with Yoga and meditation retreats. Tell us a little bit about Salty Hearts….
Through Salty Hearts Freediving we spend most of the year running Freediving courses and trainings. We also host a few special retreats, The Freediving and Yoga retreat being one of them. There is something about Yoga, meditation and Freediving that goes hand in hand. I am not talking about twisted pretzel style Yoga, it can be as simple as moving your body with your breath. To find a connection between our body and our breath is one of the most important things we could do in our lives.
We also collaborate with an award-winning underwater photographer, Aimee Jan, to host Freediving Photography getaways. This year we will run (you heard it here first!) Women’s Wellness weekends throughout the year too, collaborating with another small local business to teach women more about their menstrual cycles, how to use their breath as a tool for mental health, and intwining guided snorkels amongst the Ningaloo Reef. I feel really honoured to share my love for Freediving with other local women-led businesses while at the same time creating something really special for our guests.
Although there is so much to see around Australia, from kelp Forests in the Southern Ocean, and a mix of tropical and cool climate reef, the North-West truly has my heart.
Who is Freediving for and how would you recommend someone start?
Freediving can be for everyone (as long as you can swim). The most important rule in Freediving is to never dive alone. You should never be holding your breath underwater when you are by yourself. A course is a great place to start. We have people coming to us for different reasons in every course. Some people are curious about learning more about the body, others are keen to learn how to dive safely, deeper, or longer. Some are aiming to get better at taking photos or hunting food underwater. Whatever the reason, I am almost certain you will find a calming sensation that will leave you wanting more.
Your favourite Australian ocean space to Freedive and why?
I must be bias and say the Ningaloo reef. It is teaming with life all year round, there is always something awe inspiring to see; from Turtle hatchlings to the sound of Humpback whales serenading you down there. Although there is so much to see around Australia, from kelp Forests in the Southern Ocean, and a mix of tropical and cool climate reef, the North-West truly has my heart.
You spend a lot of time in nature and particularly with the ocean with your family and new daughter, what do you get up to in nature?
Luckily my daughter loves the outdoors and ocean, so far! At only 9 months, she is inquisitive towards wildlife so I hope that by showing her animals in their natural habitat, it can inspire her to want to do better for the Earth when she grows up. We’ve recently been spending our morning breakfast at the beach, watching from a distance the turtles resting from either mating or laying their eggs.
How does nature (and the ocean!) nourish you?
The ocean has given me purpose. There is a Japanese word ‘Ikigai’ which refers to combining what you love, what the world needs, what you are good at and what you can get paid for. I am forever grateful and humbled that I am privileged enough to be able to be in a position where I found my Ikigai, my purpose, that in turn fulfils me.
Your favourite thing about Australia?
I am the odd one out who really truly loves the drive from where I grew up in Perth, to where my home is now. Some 1300kms and a visual feast. The drive hugs the coastline, passing sand dunes, red earth, wild raw ocean, and with a good playlist and my dog in my lap, there is something that feels free and romantic to me about that drive.
I also love that, compared to other oceans I have spent time in, there seems to be a lot of marine life. Given that Australia does have problems with overfishing, I feel we are still ahead compared to most parts of the world and that is why we should be doing what we can to educate ourselves to do better and make conscious choices about what we consume or how we can help.
*Just a reminder that Freediving is not a solo sport. Always free dive with a mate!
Interested in the Freedive experience? Head to @saltyheartsclub or Kyra’s website Salty Hearts Freediving