I recently had the pleasure of working with a remarkable group of swimmers who travelled all the way from the United States to transform their relationship with the water through the Shaw Method.

The group was connected through Rev. angel Kyodo williams, a Zen Buddhist teacher and co-author of Radical Dharma. Her work invites people to explore freedom, justice, and liberation through mindfulness, presence, and radical honesty. It was inspiring to see how the spirit of her teachings carried into the pool, shaping the way participants approached their experience in the water.

Diversity, Openness, and Shared Discovery

What struck me most was the group’s diversity in age, gender, race, and ability. Yet despite these differences, we discovered a beautifully harmonious way of working together. The water became a space where everyone could meet on equal terms—moving at their own pace, supported by one another.

Embracing the Process, Not Just the Outcome

For me, the heart of this experience was not just the learning itself, but the joy of the journey we shared. One of the core principles of the Shaw Method is to embrace the process: to find meaning, discovery, and delight in each step along the way. Confidence and freedom are found in the journey, not just the destination. This was reflected in the group’s openness and willingness to explore. Together, we didn’t just focus on outcomes; we enjoyed the unfolding journey, stroke by stroke, breath by breath.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment

I too learned a great deal. I was reminded of how vital it is to create a safe, non-intrusive environment—a space where people can learn, explore, and connect without feeling pressured. This is at the heart of the Shaw Method, and it resonated deeply with the group’s own practices.

Parallels Between Zen Practice and the Shaw Method

There were many parallels between our ways of working. Both draw on structure and reframing, encouraging people to see familiar experiences in a new light. On a practical level, there were shared threads too: attention to breathing as a gateway to calm, awareness, and transformation.

A Joyful Meeting of Methods

This meeting of methods was more than a swimming workshop. It was a joyful journey that reminded me that whether on land or in the water, we can always find pathways to peace, harmony, and freedom when we create the right conditions for learning and growth.

“The Shaw Method teaches me how to be at ease in my body—in the water and in fluid, changing situations in life. Practicing the Art of Swimming with a group of people allowed us to learn from our differences and explore pathways to experiencing joy in the water together.”

– Nic Aquino-Roithmayr, Visiting Swimmer from the US