Swimming, Stillness, and Connection

June 21st — the longest day of the year — felt like it expanded in every direction. From the moment the sun appeared on the horizon to the last flicker of dusk, my summer solstice unfolded in three parts: swimming, stillness, and connection.

Open Water, Open Heart

There’s something sacred about open water swimming at sunrise. The world is quiet, the air is soft, and the lake reflects the sky like a mirror. As I waded in, the chill of the water was a fresh, welcome awakening.

Each stroke out into the glowing horizon felt like a moving meditation. With every breath, I took in the golden light and let the worries of everyday life drift away behind me. Swimming in open water at sunrise feels like a conversation with nature, nothing to prove, just breath, motion, and presence.

Restorative Yoga, The Art of Stillness

After a gentle morning, I shifted into a slower rhythm. In the warm glow of the afternoon, I invited everyone to let go, to receive, to be held, just as the earth holds us.

Sharing restorative yoga and healing sound on the summer solstice felt especially potent. While the outer world was vibrant and buzzing, our practice invited softness, quiet, and introspection.

There was something deeply grounding about guiding others through stillness on such a vibrant, sun-filled day. As the light streamed in through the windows, I felt connected to the cycles of the season, to the lineage of yoga, and to everyone in the Lotus Room.

Connection

Solstice is a time to honour both the light outside and the light within. My day was a dance between movement and stillness, solitude and community, all bound together by the golden thread of sunlight. It reminded me that life isn’t about doing more, but about doing with presence, and with joy.