Mindful swimming
CASEY KOVARSKY
The sea has always been a huge part of Cape Town native Casey Kovarsky’s life, and it’s where she retreats to every morning for a mindful practice before she starts her day.
‘A few months ago, I started going to the sea most days for a swim, without any sense of time, just to get some space and to reflect; to break away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and the added stress of what lockdown and Covid-19 had brought into our lives,’ says the wife and mother.
It first started when she injured her foot during a workout. Casey took her doctor’s advice to take a break from her rigorous training routine, which included running and power yoga.
‘It was a shock to be unable to do any of those things and I felt somewhat depressed. Exercise is my thing; it gets the adrenaline pumping.’
Every day, Casey found herself spending more time in the sea. She follows no rules and holds to no schedule: ‘Time isn’t really what it’s about for me. It’s something I do for myself, to regain balance in my life, to recentre and shift my focus beyond my responsibilities.’
It’s a spiritual, cathartic experience; the surrounding mountains and extraordinary natural beauty put things into perspective for Casey. ‘Everything just seems to balance out and become clearer. I think we all need to find that in life – something to ground us and bring us back to ourselves. We’re always running and rushing, and busy.’
Immersing herself in the sea has become essential to her and nothing, including the unpredictable Cape weather, can stop her from getting her daily fix. ‘Most mornings, the average temperature is about 11ºC, so it’s freezing, but the feeling you get from spending 20 minutes in the water can be compared only to a runner’s high. Recently it was pouring with rain, so I popped off to a nearby tidal pool and just sat in the water and allowed it to wash over me. The water is what allows me to reconnect.’
A self-described Type A personality, Casey says her days are always busy, but her morning ritual allows her a clear-headed, calm start. ‘I usually do breaststroke laps, but slowly, because it’s not a race and I’m not in a hurry.
‘A baby seal was in the water recently, and it was amazing to be sharing a space with such a precious life. Once you start immersing yourself in the ocean, it’s very hard to stop. It’s magnetic: you just become absorbed by the goodness and magic that it brings. In the past, I would have showered after my swim, but now I just get dressed: I feel invigorated, and my skin feels great. The sea has superpowers.’
Most mornings, the average temperature is about 11ºC, so it’s freezing, but the feeling you get from spending 20 minutes in the water can be compared only to a runner’s high.