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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[@alexandredefaveri5984]

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

[@anihein8149]

Yes ,you' re right. No fast breathing in a cold bath.

[@ovariantrolley2327]

Yeah like every comment says so i guess so?

[@hunter_green]

They haven't mastered the ice bath yet

[@jdittmann1977]

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.

[@HiddeVZ]

Not only that, he also says not to do it in the water!

[@risenphoenix4893]

You do the breathing first 3 to 4 rounds then get in the water. The goal in the water is calmness stillness in the face of uncomfortable conditions.

[@vortexor1]

so how is it done right please?

[@djoleezcool]

Yes, and I think when you are in the water you should come your breathing and control your stress, not to force and fast breathing...

[@risenphoenix4893]

@@djoleezcool I just explained it you do 3 to 4 rounds depending on difficulty of the retention period you want then you get in the water and enter meditation.

[@maxxbrowning6161]

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

[@jordandavis675]

Is that why your called max browning because you get a really good tan 😛

[@4c00h]

@@jordandavis675 he's in the process of browning as we speak

[@timothy1949]

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

[@angelisraelcruzprudencio5988]

I start two day ago ❤

[@steezmunky]

i started a minute ago

[@BuenavistaNZ]

I'm still in the shower

[@vs_pvt2221]

Bro i dead a day ago in shower

[@du.thome_]

I just turned on the shower

[@ROSSIoffshore]

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

[@maxineharrison3334]

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

[@guibox3]

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.

[@alishbista1748]

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

[@homosapien6282]

well done !

[@buddhistoic]

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

[@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.

[@starofsyzygy3104]

It is not hyperventilation. The Wim Hof method is all over the place on youtube and elsewhere. Research on it is very easy to do.

[@LeftTechticle]

@@starofsyzygy3104 I am versed in the method. This is not how it is done at all. The breathing pattern makes no sense.

[@mumajama]

Fr when I do the wim hoff method in water I feel extra cold

[@Vestu]

@@mumajama Don't do the method in water... if you pass out you may drown and die.

[@luka6483]

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

[@bharathichennaboina5116]

Where can we get this tubs and ice

[@trakba]

Where can I find that bag to do the cold exposure ?

[@karenslaughing]

Where can u buy one of those blue tubs?

[@uydudanbak]

Wow so cool.. I ll try first w cold water washing

[@nl5476]

Correct,, try it with a 15,20 seconds or so, doing this as a routines for a few days to weeks, then you are good to go..it's very pleased to have clarity mindset ..

[@JJ-et4pm]

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

[@svensvensson627]

good to see

[@neverforget3295]

Kind of like surfing in NJ during the winter.

[@stephanedeschryver5238]

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

[@havefunbesafe]

Instructor should be in there too…Wim Hoff would.

[@arseniovayadares]

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

[@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.

[@lonerangersheriff]

Is a 5 minute breath hold a long time?

[@randomiseit]

So you have to buy a ton of ice everyday?

[@Happiness1876]

What is the container call I would love to buy one

[@marc_po.]

What are these water bodies called?

[@mrrights5007]

Breathing or cold bath. NOT TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME

[@iknowisharepk7]

Okay good job

[@Equalizer71]

As a certified Wim Hof Method instructor I can say this is definitely not the Wim Hof method 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@dissonancex3272]

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.

[@univerd1503]

Isn't the breathing a little too fast?

[@kliend]

Sometimes it's supposed to appear almost as 'hyperventilating'. Just stay calm/relaxed while doing it and don't tense up. Search 'wim hof method'.

[@neptunevenus]

I did a Wim Hof workshop and was told to slow my breathing down when I got into the ice.

[@kliend]

Ah that makes sense

[@innerpull]

Yeah definitely, and you're not supposed to be doing the actual Wim Hof breathing method IN water whatsoever. There are warnings against it, so they misrepresent it partially here by not clarifying.

[@ir0nic303]

@@innerpull It is not recomended because you will sink, but you cant easily sink when you are just sitting in there. Additionally, the people in the video are under supervision.

[@ayeshudayasiri716]

Wow it perfect

[@frankhanna8902]

Question? Where can I obtain one of these containers that are used for ice bath?

[@justinmiller7965]

Same here. I need the inflatable container

[@justinmiller7965]

I found these inflatable tubs on Amazon.

[@Moose808]

@@justinmiller7965 thank you brother

[@maxineharrison3334]

@@justinmiller7965 try eBay 😊

[@ixxgxx]

where do i get all the ice

[@chaimberger]

Wow wow wow wow wow wow wow ❤❤❤❤ amazing amazing

[@carlospino5094]

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

[@keepitonehunnidsoutheast8410]

Probably not considering tinnitus is a hearing issue

[@bagavathi1538]

few reported they developed tinnitus after his breathwork

[@JuliusG73]

@@bagavathi1538 Now that's some good certified bullshit.

[@dorotejadnb]

Some people actually develop tinnitus bc of this method. Look it up. My tinnitus definitely gets louder but eases off couple of hours after cold exposure.

[@imassage619]

What about people with asthma?

[@ImStuff.]

who up wimmin they hof

[@Kioskox639]

Bath tubs price rise up in 3 2 1

[@WithMunchkins]

wow! they are doing great in that ice!!! great job!!😀 im upto 20 seconds of cold shower

[@oldboygr73]

Humans are not polar bears

[@technicalstudent7577]

So, where's the test? You just asked a bunch of questions

[@Torsdagskvallsmys]

Wow, it just hit me that Wim Hof is soon to be a multimillionaire.

[@Jhon_wick03]

he already is

[@Torsdagskvallsmys]

@@Jhon_wick03 Beeing a millionare aint the same as multimillionaire. You know, becuse of the "multi"

[@littlereptilian7580]

@@Torsdagskvallsmys at how many million is it considered multi million? Like 10 mil?

[@ibrahimcagr6121]

@@Torsdagskvallsmys If you have 2 million you are multimillionare :D

[@Torsdagskvallsmys]

@@ibrahimcagr6121 Do you speak english?

[@dejantubic6717]

I have one question about breathing, how many rounds is optimal? I have tried ten rounds about 30 minutes and after that i was a little bit dizzy.

[@seppuku-]

do 3-5 rounds max. there’s no reason to be doing ten rounds your just making yourself lightheaded.

[@mumajama]

You shouldn't be feeling dizzy at all, in fact you should feel clarity, focus and relaxation. I think you should either cut down or your technique might not be on point, make sure when you breath out you let it go not force it out.

[@juliuscaesart]

I have done wim hoff method. I am now a wolf.

[@michalgladkowicz1986]

☀️

[@Whitewolf33344]

And the only time I will take a cold shower is in the Sumner time when it's extremely hot out.

[@devaphysiocoaches]

Who is teaching those people to do Wim´s breathing exercise during the icebath? It´s misleading and dangerous. Please...don´t do it like that.

[@Lifemedicine14]

Beware of those hypothermia sessions. Hypothermia can be dangerous. It is not physiological. Human beings are not poikylosothermic.

[@ra0333]

I tried this new thing, way better then cold bath…. Warm showers. Life changing, highly recommend!

[@ciphermkiii]

Ignorance is bliss.

[@coachcastle666]

The breathing shown in these videos is not accurate, you are not supposed to be hyperventing like this, and you are also not supposed to be doing the breathing in a ice bath you have been warned

[@jasonleon1976]

If you actually take the time to watch wim hoff himself. This is not what he does🤷‍♂️ who are these people.

[@shacoInDaJungle]

Wooooooooo9 guud Boyz and Girlz

[@stay60feetawayfromme33]

If I wanted to make myself uncomfortable, I’d turn on some CNN 😂

[@fcharlesd8468]

All I can say is... better check with your physician before doing this. Better read exhaustively about how this is supposed to be dine

[@operationandy]

Yeah I almost fell out in my shower . I had a back fusion. Don’t recommend this .

[@soniczforever5470]

Sounds sore ♥️

[@tessy28]

You're supposed to be lying down or sitting while doing this. I did this while lying down and it was really good 😊

[@Upekha001]

. Very annoying loud background music! .

[@Whitewolf33344]

Ya no thanks. That's to cold for me.

[@psychicnap__on__IG]

Look up the handle 👆🏻👆🏻 really love the work u guys put out there fam. Check out your homie for 🍄💊 best for stress, depression and anxiety relieves

[@thehomie399]

Yoga.....

[@frankvignola5545]

People die because of this fraud. He deserves prison.

[@vamama100]

He is a bit too much sado mazochistic...

[@karlp8134]

Nice money maker. up to 2k per person xD

[@FlipMacz]

Waste all this time & money. Big deal outta' nothing. Just turn cold shower on. Works great.

[@abhi1779]

It's not wim Hoff method . Ancient Yogi in Himalayas knew this .Wim Hoff copied from yoga and India.

[@cl2984]

Well they weren't helping anyone with it. Wim is making it digestible for a western audience, and it's helping a lot of people. It's literally breathing and cold water. No one owns that.

[@abhi1779]

@@cl2984 - Western civilization learnt yoga from India . Also please view videos from Jeffery Armstrong - He told Western civilization is built on loot.

[@abhi1779]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYXPaa1noaepZ8k

[@cl2984]

@@abhi1779 Every great invention in history, every technology we take for granted in the modern world, has come from the United States. That tells me all I need to know.

[@cl2984]

@@abhi1779 There is a reason that great inventors and intellectuals from India immigrate to the United States to work and achieve.

[@changethegame8139]

Sorry but this video is blox

[@Sacredriver1008]

The wim hof method is a narcistic enstealment of the path of Yogi's and monk. It's then thousand of years old this technique, And works when the serpent arises magnified by 144thousand

[@maxwellblackburn8529]

pointless and dangerous advice

[@Levi0000]

This is fake, they are not doing the right breathing method, they should be sued