The silence and its rush

As winter turns into spring, there is a pause that lets the seasons be. As the bee gathers pollen and nurtures it into honey, there is a pause that lets the sweetness be. As the sun rises to bring light from the dark, there is a pause that lets the morning be. The pause that lies between two stages of being is just as vital as the progression itself.

"For most people life is just a series of deadlines, a mad chase for what is next," says Carol Talbot, learning and development consultant, master trainer and professional speaker and author of Hitting the Wall… and Breaking Through! "When you take time out for yourself and do things that give you a rush, you are connecting with yourself on a different level altogether. When you learn to connect with yourself - you learn to connect with others and life at large."

The UAE offers a large variety of extraordinary experiences where the mind can find focus and enjoy the silent dimension of speed.

Tranquil treasures of stargazing

"What does a man need to enjoy the beautiful sky? A pair of seeking eyes and a beautiful tent of dark skies," says Abdul Baseer Baig, who works as a project engineer in Abu Dhabi and has been following his interest in star gazing for close to ten years now. "I am not an astronomer and my interest in the sky above is still in its infancy, but I search and I find clusters of joy that sparkle so beautifully across many miles. Each passing moment that I spend behind my telescope humbles me before the creations of the universe. The feeling of achievement when I have discovered a cluster makes it worth the effort. It's a sacred unwind from the daily run and routine.

Against the tide with kitesurfing

It is man against the elements. Balanced on a surfboard with a parachute on his back, the kite surfer challenges the odds to soak in the thrill of this sport. With Dubai offering a year-round supply of warm water beaches, it is the perfect place to learn and master kitesurfing.

Mike White is a freelance water sport instructor in Dubai. He trains students at various beach clubs and enjoys passing his skills onto others. "I think kite surfing is a class apart in water sports because it is very versatile in its scope. The sport is accessible to everyone and most people can manage it after six to eight hours of training. It does not call for any elaborate preparations or skills. You just need to be water-confident and willing to ride the tide."

The triumph of Motor Cross

Largely popular in Europe, this sport is now gaining ground in Dubai too. The Dubai Motor Cross track is witness to many evenings of thrill and speed. Rugged terrain, sturdy dirt bikes and skilled drivers - these are the markers that define this extreme sport that keeps on the edge of your seat, almost always!

John Watkinson, who has been part of the Dubai Motorcross circuit since 2007, runs his own branding agency, Joie Design, in Dubai Internet City. He feels the wheels help him take the load off his mind. "I grew up in England where the biking scene is very prominent and common. I have always loved bikes and enjoy the thrill in all extreme sports.

"Once I start the engine, I have to stop all other thoughts that can divert my mind. It is exhilarating for the mind and the body. It is a complete workout because it teaches you to go with the track and against the distractions within. The sport can be felt in its complete beauty when you let go of yourself and concentrate on the moment that you are in. If you don't, you could get badly hurt and pose a danger to others on the track. I have suffered my share of falls and bruises but having the courage to get back on the field and enjoy the thrill is the mark of a go-getter."

The adrenaline in sky diving

The rush of cold air in your face, the feel of blood racing in your limbs and the thrill of seeing the world as free as a bird is truly an experience of a lifetime.

Ellis Danho Bourbonna works as a sky dive instructor at Sky Dive Dubai. "It began as a pastime and a thrill but I pursued it as a career. After considerable work experience in Hawaii and Arizona, I moved to Dubai. Here I was offered a job to pack parachutes and I took it up because it gave me the opportunity to be closer to my favourite sport. I am now a certified trainer and enjoy sharing the experience of first tandem jumps with people.

"Flying my body in the sky is the greatest feeling I have ever experienced. For me I find relaxation in free fall. I know no better way to relax than jumping out of a plane and back-flying solo. It is important to be relaxed and have fun in the air - take long breaths, let go and make the experience forever beautiful."

Cool off in a hot air balloon

Riding in a basket with a massive, colourful balloon filled with hot air overhead is an experience that people seldom forget.

Early morning trips are arranged so passengers can see the sun rise from a new point of view. The balloon, called an envelope, is first filled with air using large blowers. This air is then heated causing the balloon to rise. The pilot manoeuvres the balloon adjusting the heat depending on whether he wants the balloon to rise or descend.

"For some people the balloon ride is an escape from ground realities. It is their way of looking at things from a different perspective and rising above the situation. For me, the ride is a beautiful means to connect with the topography of the place," says Captain Attila Aklan from Balloon Adventures Emirates in Dubai. "I have been a pilot for 25 years. It's amazing how each place has a uniqueness of its own. In the UAE the raw beauty of the dunes and the warmth of the sun is special. I enjoying taking large groups of people on board - it gives a broader dimension to the experience."

He has more than 1,800 hours of flying experience as a pilot. He has sailed the skies in various parts of Europe and Asia. "I am lucky that my interest is my occupation. Not many people can boast that they get to see the sun rise every morning from an altitude of 3,000feet."

The powerful purpose in a Fire Walk

Firewalking is one of the oldest transformational tools the world has known and serves as an unforgettable demonstration of human potential. It is a lesson in transforming fear into positive energy.

Dubai-based Ramez Helou, Master Sales Trainer at The Academy for Sales Excellence Management Consultancy in Dubai, recently participated in a fire walk "to get ahead in life.

"They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. It is that first, singular moment that takes you ahead and pushes you beyond. The firewalk is a method we can practise that teaches us both focus and influence. People who walk across the coals are ready to achieve goals, to have a greater sense of self-worth and to unleash unlimited potential. They speed up the journey towards transformation.

"When I walked across coal that was 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit, it was pure trust in the process that took me across. I felt heightened by the experience. It was important for me to assure myself that I can make my own path and inspire others to follow. Any hurdle that I face today is belittled by what I am capable of. I trust that everything happens for a reason; we just need to see beyond our limitations to understand why we stand where we do."