On Saturday evening the last full moon of summer rose out of the reluctant sea, ascending through the embrace of clouds that sought in vain to hold back one of the last calm nights of summer.

The moon’s shimmer poured its quicksilver path across the gentle swells straight into the hearts of fifteen silent women moving gracefully beneath the fading purple dusk on the pure white sands of Bermuda’s south shore.

Behind us a bonfire threw shadows on the battered limestone cliffs, and the wind’s gentle whisper was lost in the crackle of burning driftwood.

We faced the ocean, surrounded by ten blazing bamboo torches. Silhouetted by firelight, we faced the sea, moving in graceful harmony, holding tiny glowing lights in our open palms, performing the ancient moving meditation movements of Qigong.

This was my Mermaid Song Full Moon Women Circle, the opening celebration of my Mermaid Wellness Centre for Women.

As the moon rose higher, we unfurled long silk scarves and began freestyle dancing to relax our bodies and free our spirits.

Shadows leapt across the sand as our bare feet drew the energy of the earth and our hands painted the limitless space of the sky.

We sat together in the sand and gazed in silence at the ever brighter moon ascending above the thick cotton sculptures of clouds. We felt the power of Mother Nature enter our bodies, now that we were still and open to her perfection.

After a while, we began to talk and laugh together. It was quite simply, beautiful.

Why did I choose this small cove, nestled among cliffs and bordered by the endless sea?

This place has very significant memories for me. Ten years ago, Bill brought me and his daughter Ava to this hidden beach when we first met. It was the place where we fell in love.

A decade later, I am here again, but this time surrounded by 15 women, many of them my close friends and dear clients.

While I was dancing and gazing at the moon, I began thinking of how online interaction will never be a substitute for a real life experience.

To feel the energy of Mother Nature and enjoy a hug from your friends, to breathe the sweet smell of a smoky fire and taste the salt in the breeze, to curl your toes in the cool sand, to dance in the moonlight and listen to the rhythm of the ocean … this is living life as the gift it so surely is!

And, it is also a path to greater awareness. As my friend Inna said, “I was able to leave my problems behind and concentrate only on my feelings.”

When we calm our minds and become present with the natural beauty surrounding us we can connect to our purest selves.

The energy we find there is healing, calming, rejuvenating and relaxing. It is real, you feel it with your whole body and your heart.

You know you are a part of a universe that loves you, accepted by a friendly and supportive group. You are able to be in the moment and feel the invisible threads that bind us and make us stronger.

We are not alone in this world!

This is the power of the Mermaid Circle:

We hold each other up closer to the love that binds us all; shining souls bathed in the silver of the moon’s bright arc.

We are sisters of the sea on a distant, tiny island, awash in beauty around us and within us. Let’s share that beauty together!

Nina London is the founder of Mermaid Wellness Centre for Women and a certified Qigong and laughter yoga teacher. Her mission is to support and help cancer patients and survivors and inspire mature women to make positive changes in their body and mind. Contact her at www.ninalondon.com and on Instagram: @coachninalondon