A new guide to freediving, One Breath: a reflection on freediving by Emma Farrell, provides a gorgeous introduction to the sport, with instruction and dozens of beautiful accompanying photographs. We have a gallery of images from the book below.

At 112 pages long, it is packed with 84 full colour photographs and has a foreword by Tim Ecott. The book is a mix of memoir, history and philosophy.

A decision taken one rain-swept New Year's Eve six years ago took Emma Farrell on a journey during which time she gained access to a world of self-discovery, wonder and passion. A former film writer and director, Farrell began freediving in 2001, and through the book we can follow her progress into into competition diving and finally on to becoming a world-class teacher of the sport.

The photographs were taken by Frederic Buyle, a world champion freediver and teacher for many years. The beguiling pictures are a treat for fans of the underwater world and freedive experts alike.

Bob Talbot, award winning photographer and director of Ocean Men describes it as "a beautifully photographed personal journey", and Tanya Streeter, nine times freediving world record holder, reckons that "this book might change your life".

One Breath: a reflection on freediving is priced at £19.99 and is available from www.pynto.com/onebreath

An extract from chapter 2: An awareness of the breath

An awareness of how we breathe can happen only when we still the body and draw our attention inwards. It’s not about learning ‘how’ to breathe but about unlearning the bad habits we have picked up along life’s way, preventing the free expression of our breath.

When you watch a newborn breathe, you see how each breath floods into the belly, every part of the baby’s body quivering with its energy. During a lifetime exposed to stress, pollution, overcrowding, noise and busyness, we lose sight of that which is fundamental to us. Breathing from our upper chests, we round our backs, crushing the life and power out of our breath. Our breath merely exists, it does not flourish.

Rediscovering our breath can be one of the most difficult things to do. It involves letting go of tension, doubts, fears, old patterns, assumptions and expectations. To fully realise the breath is often a profound moment. Grief, anger and tears can bubble up—as well as laughter, elation and joy—when we finally let go and allow the body to breathe fully.

From Chapter 3: Paxos, Greece

My eyes closed, rocked by the water, my breath at peace. I relaxed completely. A couple of minutes and sleep was moments away— the time had come—I opened my eyes and focused on the dive. My last exhalation pushed out all the air left in me and I inhaled as much as was possible, gently removed my snorkel and unclipped the safety catch. I let the weight pull me down.

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