Cold Exposure - Ice Bath
Cold training has gained significant popularity amongst people who want to optimise their health in a natural way.
Whether it's promoting muscle recovery, increasing energy levels, building resilience or strengthening the immune system.
Growing scientific research confirms the numerous benefits of regular cold exposure, ranging from improved sleep quality to generating antidepressant effects.
People have been utilising cold water therapy for centuries. Even simple actions like walking barefoot on frozen grass or quickly checking the letterbox in a T-shirt during winter can produce positive effects.
Many people begin at home with a thirty-second cold rinse after a warm shower.
These are all accessible and effective ways to get started.
Still, the experience of sitting amongst ice blocks is quite unique; you’ll never forget your first time :)
Your breathing is the entry to your nervous system.
Calm, focused and controlled breathing exercises can harmonise your body and mind. You’re back in control and can feel the stress melting away.
The ice bath serves as a perfect metaphor for other stressful situations you might encounter in life.
The breathing techniques used are therefore particularly well-suited for such scenarios.
Conquering your fear, the powerful sensation you get when you regain control of your body and mind, total relaxation and/or the energy release make it a remarkable experience.
“
What a day! The day the new Iona was born and baptized. Since that day, nothing has been the same as before. Everything starts with the right mindset and gaining control over your breathing.”
In short, practical, accessible breathing exercises that you take home with you and are easily applicable in your daily life.
Moreover, all our sessions and workshops include a movement component, often in a playful manner.
This way, you work on your mobility, coordination and balance in a fun, challenging way without often realising it. You meet new people, it stimulates your creativity and it also has a calming effect, which is especially useful when you're about to take your first ice bath :)
The differente with the Wim Hof Methode
When you think about cold exposure or ice baths, Wim Hof likely comes to mind. Wim Hof, also known as the 'iceman' and his distinctive approach. Wim Hof has made ice baths tremendously popular and has guided countless people towards a more powerful and healthier life.
Wim combines mental training, breathing techniques and cold therapy.
While these elements are also present in our sessions, there are several fundamental differences with our methodology.
The breathing protocol in Wim Hof's method consists of a series of controlled yet fairly intensive sets of hyperventilation exercises alternated with periods of breath holding. This approach can be an effective way for certain individuals to prepare for an ice bath, and research has shown that these exercises may offer various health benefits.
We observe that with our busy, often hectic lifestyle, many among us experience moments of hyperventilation, shortness of breath, or persistent tension throughout the day.
We believe in the power of self-regulation.
We aim to teach each participant simple breathing methods that can calm body and mind (We test this immediately in practice by entering the ice bath :) and we offer ways to warm up your body, set you up for action and sharpen your concentration.
