Martial artist Bruce Lee once said, “Be water, my friend.” This quote is meant to be flexible in its interpretation, however this philosophy also serves as a bridge of how water itself can enhance relaxation and resilience.

Aquatic meditation is a practice that uses water to improve the body’s senses. So how does this practice work? The cool thing about aquatic meditation is that it can take place anywhere water can be found. The true key of the practice is the interaction of the five senses with water.

Consideration with the taste of water surrounds the practice of mindfulness. For example, pour yourself a glass of water, but before you get the urge to drink try to think about how the water made it to the glass. Think about how lucky you are to have clean water and then take a sip. The water might become ten times better for you in the process.

Feeling water usually provides the most stimulation of all the senses. This practice can be achieved through taking a shower to feel waterfall on the skin, floating in a pool while allowing weightlessness to relieve the pressures of gravity, or simply by splashing water on your face to wake you. These are all practices of aquatic meditation.

Aquatic meditation is simple practice you may never have known you were engaged in. For much of our lives, we listen to the rain and even stare at the ocean, and it can provide calm. That is what aquatic meditation is. It is an elementary act interacting with water and your senses.

So, the next time you are stressed from academics, family, friends, or anything causing you to lose focus, take five minutes to listen, feel, taste, touch, or even smell water––yes you can do that too! Just try it. See if this act brings some calm to your world and makes you like water, my friends. Take care and good luck with the end of the semester!