By Rosie Moreton, Summersalt Yoga teacher

In talking to surfers who spend hours chasing waves, many describe the magic in catching that perfect swell—the rush, the speed, the thrill. But others speak of a different magic: the moments between the waves, bobbing gently on the board, eyes scanning the horizon. It’s here, in the quiet, that they feel most connected to the vastness of existence. This dance between action and stillness mirrors the ebb and flow and life—a pattern that shows up everywhere from the ocean, to our breath, to our thoughts.

Finding Stillness in the Ebb and Flow and Life

The ocean teaches us: the ebb is when the tide pulls away, and the flow is when it rushes back in. Both are vital. Both are natural. This duality is not just oceanic—it’s deeply human. We too need to let go and then refill. To strive, and then surrender. To be strong, and also soft.

In yoga, our breath moves like the tide. We inhale to create space; we exhale to deepen into it. Our thoughts surge and retreat too—positive then negative, chaotic then calm. But in between these movements, there is a space of stillness. And when we begin to recognize it, we realize we don’t always have to ride the wave—we can also rest in between.

This is where healing happens. Where we stop trying to fix or chase or figure things out. Where we let ourselves simply be. The ebb and flow and life invites us to trust that both effort and ease are equally sacred.

The Practice of Presence: Surf, Breath, and the Space Between

Whether you’re on a yoga mat or waiting for a wave, the invitation is the same: to be here, now. Notice your breath. Is it jagged or smooth? Can you feel the fullness at the top of your inhale? The emptiness at the bottom of your exhale?

These small spaces—between the in and the out, the push and the pull—are where clarity hides. The ebb and flow and life remind us that we don’t need to chase constant motion. Instead, we can surrender to the natural rhythm of things.

Let your breath guide your movement. Let your presence guide your day. Flow with what comes naturally. Ease into what’s already unfolding. This is the essence of being aligned with life, not pushing against it.

Living the Ebb and Flow and Life

So what does it mean to truly embrace the ebb and flow and life? It means trusting the tides of your day, your emotions, your path. It means moving forward when it feels right, pausing when you need to, and honoring the stillness as much as the surge.

It’s a practice of letting go of rigid control and instead dancing with the rhythm of what is. The waves will come, and so will the calm. Both are part of the whole.

When we remember that, we start to live more fully, more gently, and more in tune with who we truly are.