For the past five weeks I have been doing the Wim Hof method, and I’ve never felt better.
If you’re not familiar with who Wim Hof, check out this excellent documentary:
The tl;dr version: Wim Hof is the Iceman. He can endure intense cold, prevent illness, and alter his physiology through a series of breathing techniques. Wim Hof’s claims have been tested in laboratory conditions and scientifically validated. He teaches his methods in a course called the Wim Hof Method.
If you want to try one of his breathing methods, check out this demonstration he gave on the Joe Rogan show:
I’m not going to give away any aspect of his method that hasn’t been made public, but I will talk about my experience.
Doing the Wim Hof course is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
The biggest surprise has been the massive shift in mood and energy. Doing Wim Hof makes you feel positive and energetic. In reviewing Scott Adams book, I said one of the most important things you can do is to focus on activities that energize you. Wim Hof gives you more energy. It doesn’t take long. As Wim says, “breath man, it’s free.”
The course itself is focuses on cold exposure, breathing exercises, and physical movements.
Cold Exposure
Prior to this course, I hadn’t been a fan of the cold. I even moved all the way to Texas to avoid the cold. (Okay, there were other reasons, but… it was a factor.) Part of my motivation was to confront the fear of the cold and make it my friend.
After doing Wim Hof, you will look forward to cold showers. The way Wim Hof eases you into cold exposure is so well thought-out even a warm weather person like myself can embrace the cold. A couple weeks earlier during a freakishly cold day, I saw other Texans shivering while I stood comfortably.
Breathing Exercises
The breathing exercises make you feel light headed, serene, calm… It was nice, but I wasn’t sure how I’d use it till the other night, when I saw a YouTube video featuring a situation I was afraid of. It something you might actually do, shown from a real first person perspective. My heart started racing as if I was really experiencing it.
I noticed the fear, and decided to stay with it. I found as I meditated I could let go of the fear, but the moment I imagined the situation again, it was all back. Then I tried Wim Hof breathing. One round and it was totally dissolved. I realized if I found myself in a panic-inducing situation, I could use this to reset my nerves.
If you’re an artist struggling with stage fright, fear of failure, or any of the mental challenges creatives face, this method could help you. I just did the basic breathing shown in the Joe Rogan video above, and was able to clear fear. Try it next time you’re afraid and see if it doesn’t melt the fear away.
Physical Movements
Wim’s stretches are comparable to yoga. You’ll feel great after doing them. In particular, I’ve noticed increased spine strength. It feels like these stretches hit parts of the body weightlifting exercises don’t always reach. You don’t have to be a lifter or yogi to do these exercises – though it wouldn’t hurt.
Speaking of exercises – through all of these methods Wim says “feeling is understanding.” It’s a phrase sums up the right mindset for his methods. Much of what you experience during these exercises may be hard to describe, especially during the meditation. But you’ll know it when you feel it.
I’ve still got five more weeks to go. The next five are when we get into deep cold exposure like ice baths and holding your breath in the water. The course is a significant time commitment – an hour per day – but worth it. If you’re someone who wants to feel great in their body, this course is for you.
Sign-up for the Wim Hof Method here.
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