Be Well & Connect

Can you feel it? The whisper of a chill upon the breeze, the soft crunch of leaves beneath your feet, the early dimming of the afternoon sky? Autumn is upon us, offering a quiet invitation to slow our pace, to soften into stillness, and to prepare for the ancient turning of the season. 

In this ever-rushing, hyper-digital world, many of us (myself included) have forgotten how to yield to the seasons. How to ease ourselves gently into the deepening days of autumn and the quiet hush of winter. But autumn is a threshold, a passage from the outward to the inward, from doing to being.

This October at Tribe Porty, we invite you to embrace a slower rhythm through Be Well & Connect. A programme for living well. Through gatherings crafted with care and woven with movement, mindfulness, and creativity, we’ll rekindle our connection to self, to community, and to the present moment. 

Be Well & Connect is a space to tend to both body and spirit, to root into shared experience, and to remember what it means to move through the seasons with cultivated softness.

The curation of events for Be Well & Connect includes:

Sauna Chats with Kirsty from Soul Water Sauna 

Friday, October 10th, 6pm-7:30 

A relaxed conversation with Kirsty, founder of Soul Water Sauna, and me as we chat about all things sauna culture, community, and the healing power of intentional connection.

This session is open to all.

Mindfulness & Visionboarding 

 Monday, 20th October, 6pm-7:30 pm

A Mindfulness & Vision Boarding session, where we’ll begin with a guided meditation to help you explore what you truly want and where you’re heading as we enter this new season. Using the creative practice of vision boarding, we’ll bring those intentions to life in a visual way, giving you a clear roadmap for the months ahead.

This session is open to all.

Tribe Porty Sea Dip 

Wednesday, October 15th at 5:30 pm

Release the tension of the day and recharge with the healing power of cold water therapy. Join us for an invigorating after-work sea dip at Porty Beach, where the cold waters will help boost circulation, reduce stress, and leave you feeling deeply refreshed. Whether you’re new to cold water therapy or a seasoned pro, this session is a great opportunity to experience the benefits of cold immersion in a supportive community setting. 

This session is for Tribe Porty Members only.

Moment of Stillness Massage with Jo Craven from Portobello Natural Health 

Friday, October 3rd & 31st

Come to stillness for a moment during your workday and soothe your nervous system. This treatment combines amma fusion compression massage of the whole body with head massage, foot massage or both (your choice). Lying down, fully clothed, no oil – pure bliss. 

This session is for Tribe Porty Members only.

Morning Cuppa & Meditation 

Every Friday morning in October from 9:30am

Begin your day with stillness and presence. Each Friday morning our, join us for a gentle guided meditation over a warm cup of tea or coffee. In just 10-15 minutes, we’ll create a space to quiet the mind, reconnect with the body, and set a calm tone for the day ahead. 

This session is for Tribe Porty Members only.

A Gentle Breathing Practice to Soothe 

Box Breathing is a simple and effective breathwork practice that can be done anywhere, at any time. It is used to soothe the nervous system, calm the mind, and ease your natural rhythm of breath. 

Practice Box Breath with me:

Close your eyes or hold a heavy gaze towards the floor, and take a few slow, full, deep breaths.

Inhale through your nose for 4-3-2-1

Hold the breath at the top of your inhale for 4-3-2-1

Release the breath slowly through your nose for 4-3-2-1

Retain (hold the breath) empty at the bottom of your exhale for 4-3-2-1

Repeat 3 times or as many times as you would like.

Why cold water swimming?

Cold water swimming might sound a little wild at first, especially somewhere like Scotland, but it’s really a delightful combination of nature, resilience, and pure joy. The icy plunge sends a rush of endorphins and dopamine dancing through your body, leaving you fizzing with a natural high that can rival your morning coffee. Your circulation kicks into overdrive, your immune system gets a playful nudge, and that nagging stress you might be carrying seems to wash away with the ripples of the water.

Beyond the science, though, there’s something wonderfully human about braving the chill with others. From laughter echoing across the loch or sea, friendships and companionship are strengthened by shared squeals and shivers. And let’s not forget the poetry of it: the sting of water against skin, the breathless awe of open skies, the rhythm of waves flowing all around you. Cold water swimming is equal parts challenge and celebration, a chance to remind yourself that you’re alive, tough, and maybe just a little wild yourself.

Want to learn more about the joy of cold water swimming? Check out Edinburgh’s own Anna Deacon & Vicky Allan’s book Taking the Plunge: The Healing Power of Wild Swimming for the Mind, Body & Soul.

Podcast Recommendation

‘As the Season Turns’ was created by Ffern and narrated by nature writer Lia Leendertz

One of my absolute favourites that I listen to at the beginning of every month, but I find it even more special to listen to at the turn of the season. A new episode is released on the first of each month and is a guide of what to look out for for the month ahead. Whether it be sounds or sights of nature or important aspects of the lunar cycle, this podcast takes you on a sensorial journey you are bound to enjoy. 

Check out the podcast by clicking here

Poem for Contemplation

How I go to the woods

Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single
friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore
unsuitable.

I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds
or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of
praying, as you no doubt have yours.

Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit
on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds,
until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost
unhearable sound of the roses singing.

If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love
you very much.

Mary Oliver 

How to get involved

If you are a member of Tribe Porty check your inbox for our latest issue of Inside Tribe. This provides you with all of the booking links and details. Alternatively, nip by reception and ask our team. You can view our public events by clicking here.

You’re warmly welcome to take part in our members-only events by either booking a one-day pass or signing up for a monthly membership during October.

To book a one day pass, click here and complete the booking form. By registering for the relevant day you will be more than welcome to join in with the morning meditation sessions, massages with Portobello Natural Health or sea dip.

If you are only interested in the morning meditation sessions you are more than welcome to book our off peak pass which gives access 9AM-1PM on Friday’s. Click here to book. Spaces are limited so book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Planning to attend more than one Be-Well & Connect session? You may want to consider one of our membership options. You are more than welcome to join us for just the month of October. Click here for more details.

Thank you ever so much for reading,

Sonny

As always we’d love to connect and hear your thoughts. As we look ahead to the next 10 years, we’d love to know: What would you love to see more of in the future of Tribe Porty? Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with all things Tribe.