Polar Bear Swim is a tradition started by the Greek immigrant, Peter Pantages to Vancouver, Canada in 1920. Since then it has grown around the world. By now thousands of people plunge into the sea, or a body of water near them on New Year's Day. It is a way of greeting the New Year with bravado and good cheer.
So here in Findhorn we took to the North Sea in mid-day. We had a balmy New Year at 12 degrees centigrade. I've never had such a hot 1st of January this far north. There was no wind, and the tide was high. An ideal condition for our brave plunge into the ocean!
Alan led the attunement and did the precautionary preparation for the people who were taking to the sea, at this time of the year for the first time. I led a brief warm up exercise to wake up our joints and spine. Then we were taking our clothes off (with our swimming costume underneath) and running to the sea. The sea was welcomingly pleasant today. It was cold yes, and it felt lovely to meet it. I had prepared myself mentally before taking to the sea today. I knew I wanted to meet it softly and allow myself to embrace the sea, and be embraced by it. I had shared this intention with Alan earlier in the morning before we left our home. What happened when I was in the sea was a little gift from the ocean. I saw Ruby nearby me. I went up to her and said 'Ruby I need a little hug.' There we embraced in the ocean ~ a warm lasting hug.
We walked back to the shore, embraced by the sea. This was my 9th Polar Bear Swim in the North Sea, and Alan's 40th. What a great way to start the year!
So here in Findhorn we took to the North Sea in mid-day. We had a balmy New Year at 12 degrees centigrade. I've never had such a hot 1st of January this far north. There was no wind, and the tide was high. An ideal condition for our brave plunge into the ocean!
Alan led the attunement and did the precautionary preparation for the people who were taking to the sea, at this time of the year for the first time. I led a brief warm up exercise to wake up our joints and spine. Then we were taking our clothes off (with our swimming costume underneath) and running to the sea. The sea was welcomingly pleasant today. It was cold yes, and it felt lovely to meet it. I had prepared myself mentally before taking to the sea today. I knew I wanted to meet it softly and allow myself to embrace the sea, and be embraced by it. I had shared this intention with Alan earlier in the morning before we left our home. What happened when I was in the sea was a little gift from the ocean. I saw Ruby nearby me. I went up to her and said 'Ruby I need a little hug.' There we embraced in the ocean ~ a warm lasting hug.
We walked back to the shore, embraced by the sea. This was my 9th Polar Bear Swim in the North Sea, and Alan's 40th. What a great way to start the year!
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