The icebath is a terrific way to practice mindset training because it offers the opportunity to push past one’s comfort zone and learn to be ok with discomfort. Each morning on the island of Koh Tao, I offer an icebath/breathwork workshop (30 minutes of breathwork followed by 3 rounds in the icebath for 2 minutes each.)
Breathwork
The breathwork prepares the body and the mind for the icebath using a combination of box breathing, conscious connected breathing, Wim Hof, and extended breath holds up to two minutes. Bringing awareness to the breath also brings awareness to the body. The result is a general feeling of calm, joy, and relaxation. Sometimes even euphoria.
The Icebath
Most of the participants are pretty nervous in the beginning. The challenge of staying in the ice is a mental challenge much more than a physical challenge.
My job as a coach is to continue to bring the client back to the breath – – using a technique I developed which is adapted from the breathwork.
There are two choices as I see it. The first is to focus on the suffering, and just survive it. Or, the icebath can be made into a meditation with the focus on the breath.
In the end, the great reward is relaxing in the warm, seawater and bathing in the satisfaction of completing a challenge, and the benefits that the icebath provides.
My clients report a variety of physical and emotional benefits (which are also backed by science):
- Increased energy
- State of calm and relaxation
- Boosts mood
- Better sleep
- Decreased physical pain
- Emotions well being
- Release of tension in the body
- Increased clarity
The icebath is an incredible physical AND mental challenge with great benefits. When you put yourself in challenging experiences, you get to know yourself better. Getting to know your self means facing your fears, excepting them, and pursuing your intention anyway. This improves resilience and even the ability to manage stress.
