Mindfulness Over Matter: Breathing through Extreme Temperature

I’ve always found it fascinating the way my mood, habits, eating patterns and preferences totally transform based on my body temperature. I can only speak for myself, but an ice cream in December just doesn’t sparkle the same way it does in July. Beyond my tastebuds, I notice myself becoming a lot more sluggish in high heat and a lot more tense during cold weather. A few years ago I started to wonder if I could apply the principles of yoga, mindfulness and breathwork to help override these patterns. That’s when I learned about cold exposure and heat therapy.

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Freezing the body to calm the mind

Now a household name, Wim Hof truly set the stage for the power of the mind over the reaction of the physical body. His unique method involves breathwork and mental training that has been scientifically proven to override the nervous system, resulting in stunning capabilities to withstand extreme cold.

Whilst travelling through Puerto Escondido, Mexico I came across an event for an ice bath ceremony, led by a certified Wim Hof Method facilitator. I jumped at the chance to find out what this was all about. The morning of, I made sure to get my 20 minute meditation practice in. I also completed a few rounds of nadi shodhana pranayama, which has always been one of my favourite practices to feel centred.