Testing Out the Wim Hof Method

Athletes, CEOs and Navy SEALs are among those using ice baths and cold water exposure to operate at the top of their game. Quicktake's Rosalie e'Silva tests out the Wim Hof Method. It combines breathing, mindset and cold therapy and is said to help you become healthier, happier and stronger.

Brian Lai is Asia's first certified Wim Hof Method instructor.

“They use the first pillar, which is breathwork, to get the body ready, to charge it up, to get it ready. And then we get into the ice bath or cold exposure afterwards. And then during those practices, we also incorporate a lot of mindfulness exercises, meditation exercises just to cultivate a stronger mindset to tie all those pillars together.”

Brain says every time you get into an ice bath, you step outside your comfort zone.

“And every time you step outside your comfort zone and you do something that you don't particularly like, you begin to develop an ability to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. And from there, that develops resilience. And you’re able to more and more be able to do things that are outside your comfort zone and handle more and more stress as much as you do more cold exposure.”

The Wim Hof Method was created by Dutchman Wim Hof, also known as the Iceman. He holds 21 official Guinness World Records, all related to cold water exposure. He’s swam 216 ft under ice, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts and stood in containers covered in ice for extended periods of time.

Brian says there's a lot of benefits of going into ice.

“There’s the body releasing cold shock proteins and the body releasing feel-good hormones and chemicals into the body. It also helps with things like anti-inflammatory, it helps with recovery. It helps with better sleep. It helps with just resetting, rejuvenating the body. But also helps develop resilience towards stress. So, every time we get into the ice, it allows us to use the breath, change the way we breathe to be able to handle that stress from the cold exposure better and better each time and be able to adapt to it.”

Lawrence Miller was sceptical at first, but changed his mind after trying it at Brian’s workshop in Hong Kong.

“I had this view that it was all kind of nonsense about a few breaths that can make you feel warm and can change your emotions. But, it really works. It’s like all those breathing exercises on the mat, it’s pretty eye-opening what you can experience just with your own breath and then the ice bath as well is a good bit of fun.”

Brian explains it can be done in stages.

“So, cold exposure is really for almost anyone. But cold exposure can also be done in different stages. What you can do is you can start with just, you know, a very short 15-second cold shower and just begin to move up from there. And if you do take it to that next level, it is advisable as a beginner to have someone more experienced to be able to help guide you through that.”

Brian discovered the practice through his struggles with mental health.

"So, I was going through a very difficult time in my life and I was burnt out. And I think I was going through some sort of depression at that time. And it was these practices that allowed me to really kind of change that story, to really rewrite that story and just kind of snap out of that state."

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[wimhof]

Hey everyone! Just a reminder for you all to stay safe while practicing the Wim Hof Method. The video above demonstrates unsafe practices, particularly hyperventilating in the ice bath. This is not part of the method. In the ice bath, we focus on slow, mindful breathing—no hyperventilation or breath holds. Safety is always our priority! We’ve reached out to the certified instructor in the video to ensure they teach the method safely and correctly moving forward. Stay strong, stay safe, and keep breathing consciously! 💪❄️ ❤

[alexandredefaveri]

I don´t think Wim suggests that you do a fast breathing when in the water.

[Vestu]

Do NOT hyperventilate IN THE water. That's exactly what is advised against, by Wim Hof himself. That can lead to passing out in the water -> death. The breath exercise is separate, done in bed or some other safe surface sitting or preferably lying down.

[jdittmann]

I don't know who is certifying these instructors nowadays but I wish Wim would correct all these guys out there teaching people to hyperventilate. Anyone who has spent any time with Wim knows he's no't doing 25-30 breaths per minute.

[maxxbrowning]

As a guy who lives in a desert... This is heaven

[aa-kr]

have been doing cold shower for a month, its very good

[guibox]

The thing many people don't realize is that to really get used to the cold, they have to immerse all their body, especially the shoulders. That is one of the most sensitive parts to cold. The sooner you get them used to the cold, the better off you will be. All of these people are ust going from the chest down in those ice baths.

[alishbista]

Wim hof has mastery of yoga, so he has mastery over body and breathing techniques.

[LeftTechticle]

What is with the hyperventilation while in the water? I get that each instructor has their twist but the fast breathing will cause the body to panic which is not what we want.

[ROSSIoffshore]

Great video mate, I can relate to some things you spoke about. You explained your video in a good way!
Thanks.

[buddhistoic]

If you test something, do it properly. Done right, this will indeed benefit well being of the body and mind.

[maxineharrison]

Yeeeh I wanna do this I need this in my life x

[arseniovayadares]

The trick is relaxing and slowing breathing and For men helps is good for testosterone. Start with cold showers on summers.

[JJ-etpm]

Where can I get one of those blue tubs? Need for I only a shower and no tun.

[univerd]

Isn't the breathing a little too fast?

[stephanedeschryver]

Sorry, but when you are in the ice, you have to breathe slowly, in fact it comes naturaly.

[karenslaughing]

Where can u buy one of those blue tubs?

[luka]

Fantastic video, can you tell wher to buy that ice bath? What company it is?

[dissonancex]

please don't do the breathing portion while in water, wim has never suggested that. the ice bath/cold shower and breathing are separate parts of the method and should be done separately. i always like to do the breathing portion laying in bed.

[carlospino]

Good day.
Is it good for the easying of Tinnitus?