Blouberg’s free yoga and swim sessions celebrate a milestone this month. The 200th event brings movement together with giving back. It’s open to everyone!
Cape Town, South Africa (18 February 2026) – It’s been four years since the first free yoga and cold water swim session was hosted by Cape Town’s yogi of kindness, Michael O’Rourke.
Michael’s journey with yoga and mindfulness started almost fifteen years ago. These practices are what helped him through a challenging period in life. The self-compassion and self-love he learned changed everything.
“Because of this I want to share these practices with as many people as I can, particularly those that are feeling broken or lost or need to learn to love themselves again.”
That’s how the free yoga and cold dip sessions first started, four years ago.
Michael simply wanted to gather a group of friends outdoors to move, soak up the sea breeze and find balance again after the pandemic. Now, with sessions every Tuesday, up to 200 people gather on the grass at Eden on the Bay.
This month, the event celebrates its 200th free gathering.
Each milestone session reached so far (50th, 100th, and 150th) has extended the kindness and well-being even further by supporting local charities through community donations. The previous milestone supported Help a Paw, a charity dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need.
This year, it focuses on HumanityHeal Foundation, which gives families that have fallen on hard times a boost of kindness.
“I look for organisations that work within our local community, but more importantly, I look for the signs of compassionate hearts. Those that can clearly see the suffering out there, who aren’t able to sleep at night without making a positive difference” shares Michael. “When I came across the HumanityHeal Foundation, I felt their passion and their compassion – it was an easy choice.”
The foundation is currently assisting seven families and hosts multiple initiatives that offer help and give back. Michael encourages those who will be attending the 200th event to donate toward the cause. (More info on immediate needs of families supported by the foundation can be found in this post).
Beyond giving back, this event is for people.
Micahel’s greatest mission is to share kindness, peace and well-being with others. Last year, he started a ‘love notes’ project, handing out small, uplifting messages to strangers from a drawstring bag, like a wizard of kindness. That initiative has since grown to reach schools, corporates and NGOs around South Africa.
The world can feel endlessly heavy. The free sessions and messages of kindness that Michael champions bring peace and joy to people who might feel alone, disconnected, or overwhelmed.
“The world has become so fast and so obsessed with achievement…I feel we can easily lose connection with our inner selves and with others. Conversations become superficial. We tend to avoid expressing how we truly feel. And sadly, we struggle to put our hands up and say ‘help .. I’m not coping.’” says Michael.“This can be a lonely, disconnected place. I want to remind people to pause and lean into their hearts.”
The 200th milestone yoga and cold dip session will kick off at 9am at Eden on the Bay in Blouberg on Tuesday 24 February. Show up if you’re keen, and donate if you can. Everyone’s welcome!
“We have such a beautiful mix of people that join our Tuesday gathering. 80 year olds to 18 year olds. Seriously experienced yogis and total beginners. Fit and unfit. All are welcome,” shares Michael. “It’s what our Tuesdays are all about. The diversity, the bringing together of differences and variety…all in the name of self-love and connecting.”
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