Wim Hof: Breath, Ice Baths and Will Power
I first learned the Wim Hof breathing technique in 2017, at a yoga retreat in CA. After that, it became a regular part of my practice. I could immediately feel the benefits and that, plus the science has kept me coming back for more. My practice wains and waxes with life, but I’m always called back!
My personal experience with the breathing technique is euphoria throughout my body, stillness of thought, increased present moment awareness and a sense of inward focus unlike anything else….I could be in a group of 100 people and the voice in my head, that normally chatters about what i might look like, if I’m doing it right, if anyone is watching all goes away and I feel like my body is the only thing that exists. I have some intense muscle atrophy in my hands that subsides shortly after completing the final inhale hold.
THEN… the ice bath. I have had one cold plunge prior, at a temp of 41 degrees and I only lated 1min and 45sec. It hurt and I didn’t have the will power or focus cultivated prior to keep me submerged for longer. “It hurts,” my mind told me. This time with the breathing technique before (the pain receptors uncouple and our body isn’t able to send any/as many pain signals to the brain so it becomes a mental game) and I stayed in for 3min!!! I could have stayed in longer but —-here’s where it became mental— I got worried because I had never done it before I shouldn’t keep going… WOW! (there’s definitely something to unpack there.)
So, what are the benefits?
More energy
Boost your immune system
Natural anti-inflammatory
Better sleep
Increase sports performance
Improve workout recovery
Autoimmune disease relief
Arthritis relief
Fibromyalgia relief
Post-treatment lyme disease syndrome
COPD Management
Migraine relief
Overcoming MS
Asthma management
Lower your blood pressure
Improve your metabolism
Positive stress
Improve mental health
Burnout recovery
Deal with depression
Increase willpower
Boost concentration
Improve your mind body connection
Increase your happiness
Improve creativity
Controlling the automatic nervous system
Boost your endorphins
Vagus nerve stimulation at home
Peaceful mind
Is this a long enough list…? Ready to try it?