The Inner Tide
the tides hold the universe and so does your breath...a poem and a practice
always inspired by the infinite possibilities of the tide.
each day, a new mirror




restless beauty, raging, cleansing
carving canyons, cradling stone
moonlit, glistening sun
each meeting, a new conversation
how will we move?
just when I begin to understand, it’s time to let you go
we’re reformed in the dance, then back to the whole
Tidal Breath Practice
a meditative breathing practice to resource the body and connect to your inner tide (listen for extended practice, or read below)
I have always found something incredibly natural about breathing with water, letting it cleanse and guide.
I first encountered this practice in a Qi Gong course, where we brought in the inner imagery of the tide, imagining breath as a rhythmic ebb and flow within the body.
It made so much sense to me, and has become a way for me to return to a my body and breath in a way that is gentle and allowing, drawing upon the resource of water.
find a comfortable position, seated or standing
let your body settle in the way it wants to
begin by noticing the natural rhythm and quality of your breath
is it shallow, deep, smooth, textured?
not judging, just noticing
can you sense more of your body involved in the breathing?
back body breathing
belly breathing
skin breathing
imagine your breath like the tide.
on the inhale…
filling outward, expanding,
moving gently to meet the shores of your skin.
and on the exhale…
the tide draws back towards centre
receding, returning
to a deep, still place inside.
inhale….drifting out.
exhale…. drawing inward.
if it feels right, stay here for 5–10 rounds of breath, or longer.
allow the image of the tide to soften, when you’re ready
then gently reorient to the room
the light, the sounds.
perhaps you find a place inside, to carry the that tide, to return to whenever you need.
I’d love to know what you noticed, your reflections or experience.




Just beautiful. I wrote about this breathing today!
This is really lovely. Thank you.