Free Beach Yoga and Cold Water Sessions Celebrate 150 Events!

Photo Credit: Supplied

What was once just an idea to bring communities together through free beach yoga and cold water swims has become an entire movement. Approaching the 150 event-mark, everyone is invited to join the celebration and bring a little something for charity:

Eden on the Bay, South Africa (18 February 2025) — Yoga and mindfulness teacher Michael O’Rourke has brought people from all walks of life together through accessible wellness thanks to his free Beach Yoga and Cold Water Swim sessions.

It all began as a personal ritual for Michael who, fittingly, after a cold plunge, began conceptualising the humble beginnings of the event appreciated by so many today.

Tuesdays along the shores of Big Bay in Blouberg were never the same after the first event. The space had become not only one of great beauty, but of healing and togetherness—the latter being something people especially needed post-pandemic.

On Tuesday, 25 February, The Beach Yoga and Cold Water Swim sessions will celebrate 150 of these events along with 3 wonderful years of community wellbeing.

“It has grown in so many ways,” Michael shares of the upcoming milestone and all it signifies. “Not only have we seen many more people gather on the grass every Tuesday (sometimes up to 200 people), but we have also seen new friendships developed, a sense of community spirit and of course healthier bodies and minds.”

“There is a strong, palpable sense of vitality and joy in the air every Tuesday morning. Please beware, it is infectious,” he adds.

“I am deeply blessed to be able to host these events every week and I intuitively know that the joyful moving and breathing in the outdoors has had a tremendous ripple effect beyond the individuals that attend each week. Attending to our wellbeing and healing our wounds through any self-care practice, is a radical act of kindness not just to ourselves but also to all those we interact with.”

Because community has been to central to the events, it only made sense that its celebration would look beyond itself to benefit others.

“We again have decided to celebrate this milestone by collecting much needed goodies for a local charity. Last year, at our 100th event, we collected a HUGE amount of dog food and other doggy stuff for Help a Paw. This year we are calling on all the yogis and the local community in general, to dip deep for our selected charity, Home Hope,” says Michael.

Home of Hope is a sanctuary for children who have experienced neglect, abuse or abandonment. With a focus on children who have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Home of Hope plays a vital role in giving these youngsters a better chance at life.

With this in mind, the 150th event is rallying as many essential items for the charity as possible, including:

Clothes and shoes in reasonable condition for kids and adults
Bedding (pillows, blankets and fitted sheets)
School stationery
Non-perishables including long-life milk, sugar, peanut butter and weet-bix

“At our 150th event on the 25th of February, a representative from Home of Hope will be joining us at Eden on the Bay, to collect all the generous donations and to see all the wonderful people who have opened their hearts. So, even if you don’t join us for a downward facing dog… which would lovely if you could, you are welcome to drop off your donations at Eden on the Bay between 8:30 and 9 am,” Michael adds.

For those who have not heard about the weekly free yoga and ocean plunge event, join in. Every week there are new faces, many of which are totally new to yoga. Everyone is friendly and welcoming.