How to Prep for Your First Meditation Dive
What is a meditation dive, how to prepare, and what to bring. Your guide to meditation diving.
A traveling acrobat with an insatiable love for the ocean.
Based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
With the name “Marina,” I was Born for the Sea – Now a PADI Instructor in the Riviera Maya
I started scuba diving at 18 and, like many divers, I was instantly hooked. After years of living inland in the U.S. and diving on vacation, I finally decided to turn my passion into a full-time career. In 2024, I earned my PADI Instructor certification right here in Tulum, Mexico.
Now based in Mexico, I’m proud to share my love of the ocean through PADI scuba diving courses in Playa del Carmen.
Since becoming an instructor, I’ve had the privilege of working in four different countries and learning from some of the best in the diving community. Whether you’re taking your first breath underwater or continuing your dive education, I’m here to help you explore the incredible reefs and marine life of the Mexican Caribbean.
From Gymnastics to Aerial Arts: A Lifetime of Movement and Strength
Before diving, I dedicated my life to gymnastics, training competitively from ages 3 to 16 and beginning my coaching journey at just 15. Movement has always been my language.
In college, I earned a springboard diving scholarship while completing a degree in Kinesiology, deepening my understanding of the body in motion. After graduation, I transitioned into aerial arts and acroyoga, combining strength, flexibility, and creativity.
While performing has never been my main focus, I’ve found my purpose in empowering women to feel strong, confident, and beautiful through acrobatics, aerial movement, and mindful training.
Everyone Says Diving is Like Meditation – So I Made it Intentional
My first underwater meditation experience ompletely changed my perspective of what it means to dive.
As a longtime yoga and meditation practitioner, I couldn’t imagine how different it would feel beneath the surface.
That first session opened a level of connection I’d never experienced — to the ocean, to the planet, and to myself. It was a reminder of just how deeply intertwined we are with the world around us, and how much richer our inner lives can become when we slow down and dive with intention.
Inspired, I began leading meditation dives and eventually turned it into a PADI Distinctive Specialty course. This is more than diving; it’s a practice of awareness, presence, and respect for the underwater world.
What’s new on the blog?
Ultimate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Dive Trip Itinerary
The weekend of Dia de los Muertos is filled must-do festivities. But my favorite part about it is that most activities begin in the late afternoon.
This means I have all morning do my favorite thing in Playa – diving!Because, unless you came to Playa exclusively for the Dia de los Muertos celebration, you might want a bit more balance in your vacation weekend.
Here is my weekend itinerary with can’t miss events: The perfect dive trip to Playa del Carmen during Day of the Dead celebrations. Weekend getaway for a mini dive trip and cultural celebration in Mexico.
Complete Month-by-Month Travel Guide: Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Each month brings something different for scuba diving in Playa del Carmen. Learn when to visit, what conditions to expect, which marine life you might see, and how to choose the best dive sites for your experience and interests.
The Truth About Swimming with Whale Sharks in Cancun
Because it was part of my contract, I really had no choice. Plus, I was eager to discover how swimming with whale sharks in Cancun compared with my research.
The Mammalian Dive Reflex: How the Ocean Helps Calm Your Nervous System
Have you ever noticed how different you feel after slipping beneath the surface of the water? This is because of the Mammalian Dive Reflex. Divers say they feel calmer, and more relaxed after being immersed in water. They move with slower, more intentional movements. Part of that experience may be explained by something called the […]
Is It Ethical to Swim With Whale Sharks in Cancun?
Yes, there are whale sharks in Cancun every summer—but should you swim with them? This guide covers when and where to see whale sharks in the Riviera Maya, the laws that regulate whale shark tours, the impacts of tourism on these endangered animals, and the questions every traveler should ask before booking a whale shark snorkeling excursion.
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