Mindfulness in Wild Swimming: Meditations on Nature & Flow

by Tessa Wardley

Mindfulness in Wild Swimming explores how swimming in rivers, lakes, and seas is the epitome of conscious living. Zen-seeker Tessa Wardley reconnects the physical and spiritual cycles of life to the changing seasons and flow of wild waters worldwide and leads the reader on to a mindful journey through the natural world. With expert insight and personal anecdote, she shares a sparkling clarity on why our relationship with open water is so fundamental to pure wellbeing, and reveals how wild swimming can be the ultimate physical meditation.

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2023

About the author

Tessa Wardley is an environmental professional and serial mini-adventurer.

With an academic background in Marine and Freshwater Biology Tessa has worked for the UK’s Environment Agency, in global water environmental consultancy and is currently employed by the UK’s Department of the Environment (Defra).

Getting into the outdoors for adventures to feed the soul has always been a major driver in Tessa’s life. Tessa lives in the belief that every new day and every new place is an opportunity to lace up and run or jump in and swim; to explore places through new paths and trails - she would never consider packing a bag without including running shoes and swimming costume. Tessa gets into the outdoors whenever and wherever she can and regularly competes in adventure races and open water swimming events reaching deep into the wilderness areas of the UK.

Tessa lives with her husband, four children and large, hairy, daft dog who accompany her and add to the mini-adventures of life; happily they also subscribe to the importance of nature to their health and wellbeing.

When not actively involved in outdoor adventures, working or hanging out with her family, Tessa is writing books inspiring others to engage with the natural world for their health and wellbeing and the wellbeing of our planet. Her books include: The River Book, The Woodland Book, The Countryside Book, The Mindful Art of Wild Swimming and Mindful Thoughts for Runners.

Reviews

[GONZA · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I don't like swimming in open water and love the smell of chlorine to death, it has to be said that, reading this book, I almost felt like trying to swim in the sea (neither rivers nor lakes for goodness sake) and even do it at night and in the rain. Not that I don't appreciate the idea of swimming while there aren't psychopaths around me swimming like they were Olympic Champions while there are more than two of us in the lane, nor do I like hearing the horrible music of the ladies of the acquagym, but the idea of sharing my aquatic space with fish, seaweed or slime, disgusts me even more, but I guess everyone knows what is best for himself.

Per quanto io non ami nuotare in acque libere e ami alla follia l'odore del cloro, c'é da dire che, leggendo questo libro, mi é quasi venuta voglia di provare a nuotare nel mare (né fiumi né laghi per caritá) e di farlo anche la notte e nelle pioggia. Non che io non apprezzi l'idea di nuotare mentre attorno a me non ci sono degli psicopatici che fanno il delfino e la virata mentre in corsia siamo piú di due, né tantomeno evitare di sentire la musichetta orribile delle signore dell'acquagym, ma l'idea di condividere il mio spazio acquatico con dei pesci, delle alghe o della melma, mi schifa ancora di piú, ma immagino che ognuno sappia cosa é meglio per sé.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this is a book about combining mindfulness and swimming in natural bodies of water. It's part of a large series of "Mindfulness and ..." books, and this particular volume is a re-release of a title that came out a couple years back.

While the book does provide an overview the basic methods and considerations for both mindfulness meditation and wild swimming, it's largely a peptalk or enticement to take up wild swimming as a means to improve awareness (as well as to bolster physical health and mental well-being.) That said, some of this peptalk is artfully, almost poetically, written, and the book is a pleasure to read.

The book discusses solo swims versus those in a group, and it even explores using onshore experiences to bolster mindfulness -- e.g. using the sensory experience of the water as a focal point for practicing awareness. The around- (v. in-) water discussions are probably in part because the book uses seasons as a secondary mode of organization, and long and leisurely winter swims in lakes and rivers aren't an option for people in many parts of the world.

I picked up some interesting food-for-thought in the book, and -- as I say -- it made for enjoyable reading.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series common theme is that mindfulness can be a part of many every day activities. In this title, swimming is the subject while others have been about gardening, baking and knitting. I like the concept that mindfulness can be present in obvious places that are not always considered access points.

I was especially attracted to this title because I am intrigued by everything that I have read about wild swimming. Topics in this book include Taking the Plunge, The Solo Swim, Reflections from the Riverbank and more. There are also further reading suggestions and a number of websites included at the end of the book.

This title is a favorite of mine in this series. I valued the author’s personal reflections and the inspiration that was provided. So, get out your suit, start breathing and enjoy mindfulness in the water…or at least reading about it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the gentle flow of this book. While there is a lot of information it wasn't overwhelming and parts felt quite light and fun.

I listened to the audio version of this book and found the narration soothing and gentle.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.