The Power Of The Horse Stance After An Ice Bath

[@KitaroWaga]

🧡 Support my work by subscribing to my Breathwork Library, and get access to a vast library of guided breathwork videos: academy.kitarowaga.com/checkout/breathwork-library

[@EvieWasacz]

I've been practicing ice-baths for 3 years now and I've experienced a tremendous change in my body and mind. I treat the cold as a mentor who guides me through life. Forever grateful. Thank you for sharing so much knowledge!

[@KitaroWaga]

Thank you

[@m0-m0597]

As a german who is probably going to sit in the dark and cold this winter, this is going to be a useful skill

[@carlsocci379]

@@m0-m0597 Best of luck to you all. God bless.

[@vincentlee7359]

Yes. It truly is a life changing experience. I can now look into the depths of my targets as they take their last breath as cold steel pierces through their body.

[@david4360]

80 years ago germans fuck up europe and now they did it again with help from Usa

[@javierrodriguez2863]

A friend of mine from work showed me this exercises, he's from vietnam and he's in his 70's and strong as an ox, will always implement these no matter what! Peace

[@HerbalRemedyMan]

I have been practicing the horse stance for awhile and have found it to be an amazing teaching tool for pain. I push the breath into my legs to relieve the burn and hold the pose longer and that discovery in and of itself was profound. Thank you for your tutorials it's helped me to make sure I am practicing the stance correctly to get optimal benefits. You're channel is amazing, heartfelt, and super informative!

[@KitaroWaga]

Thank you for watching and your nice words 🧡

[@trishareichenberg5093]

Thank you for your tips

[@ramondimas1252]

Through ice bathing I have learned to be less reactive and more accepting of not only physical stimulants but psychological and spiritual. Thank you for sharing this technique in detail.

[@KitaroWaga]

Thanks for your comment

[@MatoNupai]

The horse stance is very powerful. I had extreme good fortune to study with a Zhan Zhuang Qigong master in 1973-74. He had me hug a tree where your legs are in the horse stance and the arms as if they’re wrapped around a big tree trunk.

[@serafimkolarov8567]

Why is it powerful?

[@serafimkolarov8567]

Why is it powerful?

[@serafimkolarov8567]

Why is it powerful? Thank you

[@serafimkolarov8567]

Why is it powerful? Thank you

[@serafimkolarov8567]

Why is it powerful? Thank you

[@l.d.p.9365]

My teacher in high school would make us do the horse stance and would walk behind us with a thin bamboo rod, he called it the rod of focus. If you left your stance because you were tired or not focused he would remind you with the rod. By the time I was 17 I was so strong I could stand like that for however long I needed to. My push-up record was 893 before collapse. This is an excellent way to teach the young to be strong and focused both in mind and body.

[@whitebuffaloblacksheep]

You'd get fired for that now

[@DickOswald]

@@whitebuffaloblacksheep yeah because we like to raise pussies nowadays

[@DeadSoundful]

Damn, wish I had that experience growing up!

[@marvelleonline]

where the hell did you go to hs lmaooooo

[@jonl7855]

The mountains of TIbet bro@@marvelleonline

[@TheMigueloangel]

Your personality and voice are so peaceful and calming. I needed that. Almost did not finish because I'm always rushing. Thank you...

[@KitaroWaga]

Miguel, thank you for your kind words!

[@simonevanson3098]

Never tried the horse stance while doing the Wim Hof breathing method but come the morning I’m going to try it. Many thanks. From strength to strength.

[@KitaroWaga]

It's not the Wim Hof breathing that is done while doing the Horse Stance. It's more of a complementary exercise to the WHM breathing.

[@josephunderhile5804]

I did the horse stance throughout this video longest I've ever made it. Thank you. I feel a calming and positive energy from you and what you are talking about.

[@lazulimoon1970]

True.Voice is very calming.

[@sylverista3505]

When finish my shower with cold water I noticed I don’t get cold any more in winter. Basically I have my normal shower with hot water I just finish with cold water all over my body if you practice this you’ll never have running nose or cold. Indeed it’s very effective but you have courage to do it every day 😊

[@GoGoJoeShow]

Thanks for sharing Kitaro. As a person who gets cold easily, I am looking forward to implementing this into my daily routine. Hopefully can get over to you from Germany to train together one time. Stay well my man!

[@MrAlidor]

Kitaro, I’m so grateful that the universe is made me stumble to your message. I needed this a lot today. I appreciate you sharing your experience. Thank you.

[@bajuszpal172]

Yes Mr., Kitaro Waga, Ihave spent the time remaining and just accept. The key to it came throught the word and notion of isometric. Previously, despite being trained in martial arts, I have never realized it to be an isometric exercise, which is also used in Karate for the same reasons as you put it. Well done Sir, and all the best. Paul, 67, retired instructor of sports Karate.

[@noritube773]

Did anyone hear when he said "You can use these challenging situations as a stimulus to grow." Thanks for sharing!

[@KitaroWaga]

Thanks for watching and the nice comment

[@kimnenninger7226]

This video is really great because he has a thorough understanding of what the horse stance really does for your body.

[@brianclark5002]

thank you, I will never be an ice bather but your comments on the power of the mind and the benefits of the horse stance are so true. I'm just starting to use the more traditional Tai Chi method of the stance to increase my Chi.

[@RuudAwakening]

So Wim showed something considered impossible, but had to do it without one of the components he used himself for it (the breathing). For the experiment's convenience. And he pulled that off. That man gained another level of AwEsOmE right there! Damn!!

[@KitaroWaga]

Yes, that illustrates very nicely what our minds can do!

[@lefterislef5630]

I've been doing the WHM for about 3 years now, not daily I admit but I still enjoy the results. I really like your approach and your explanations in your channel and I keep coming back to it for a while now. Thank you and keep it up.

[@VIKRAMSINGH-ld6ms]

Is it helpful in fighting cold

[@lefterislef5630]

@@VIKRAMSINGH-ld6ms to me it feels more like accepting the cold rather than fighting it. If you fight it you start shaking and it feels more of a struggle rather than an esoteric journey that teaches you calmness.

[@AnthonyFransella]

When I was 12 an man who didn’t normally teach class at our martial arts school had us spend the entire class in horse stance. Nearly 20 years later I would end up training under him and one of his challenges was two hrs of the high meditative horse stance. It’s a wonderful exercise and a great foundation for anything else you want to do in health or fitness.

[@Crownholder]

2 hours is sick bro

[@RobertSpiller]

That's awesome. What other benefits have you received doing this method?

[@AnthonyFransella]

@@RobertSpiller Part of it is just the benefits you get of meditation, but its sort of like meditation with weights if that makes sense. The first hour is physical, the second is really more mental, so you have to work harder to maintain focus and a meditative state. You can't 'push through' like with regular exercise though, by getting intense or angry, because you have to stay meditative, so you're just left alone with your mind. I've heard others say they have more mystical sounding experiences, but I didn't, just a great focusing and toughening exercise. Also my body hurt later :)

[@RobertSpiller]

@@AnthonyFransella That was quick and a big Thank you Anthony.

[@helenabok1610]

This is very interesting. You popped up out of nowhere on my YT so I think Universe wants me to start with this horse stand. Going to implement it in my morning routine. Thank you🙏🏻

[@alexandermetzler]

Thank you. You have a wonderfully calm way of explaining things.

[@carpepedes3520]

i love this stuff. the stance exudes power balance focus and stability. Kitaro thank you for showcasing it. You have such discipline and man your bare feet are nice!

[@skylinetrading9498]

my guy what sort of fetish are you having there

[@sawomirlesniewski4448]

Beautiful explanation covering holistic aspects of oneself. It helped me a lot and I am preparing for the winter :)

[@KitaroWaga]

Thank you! Yes, winter is coming - and we're ready!

[@rudyfire8748]

This is what i need for my evening routine 😊

[@KitaroWaga]

Perfect! Thanks for the comment

[@kennethbedwell4183]

Love the video I train Horsestance every day I also finish of my bath session with a cold shower, in fact your the reason I started taking cold showers last year

[@israelfoco]

I identified with you a lot. It's like a Baki The Grappling vibe. Excellent quality content. gratitude 🙏

[@KitaroWaga]

Thank you that's a great compliment - I love Baki 😁

[@davidcooke2804]

Thanks so much for your work and for sharing 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 You are making a huge contribution to thousands of people’s lives!!!

[@stuartwakefield1657]

May I suggest a book that helped me 60 years ago. It's called " The Hindu-Yogi Science of Breath by Yogi Ramacharaka in 1903.

[@soundmindbodydivine]

Such a great book. Also, it is on youtube audiobook for free!

[@trevor_osborn]

Touching on the victimentality, I still have to work on it on going but that alone can improve health and energy levels 10x. Just hsve to let it go, acknowledging being a victim only worsens your body. Good job bringing that up and reminding me to feel at peace again 🙏

[@karatemom24RedHawk]

I found this fascinating as a 3rd level black belt in karate. I practice daily and found this useful to add to my program. Thank you for the video. With your permission, I will add it to my study list.

[@KitaroWaga]

Thanks for your comment 🤗 You don't need my permission, everything I share is free to use 😉

[@jackforeman3687]

In the book man myth and magic the lady that was traveling through the Himalayas came upon a bunch of guys that were sitting in a stream meditating and there were others that were putting cold wet blankets over top of them and I don't believe they were doing any physical movement but they were just drawing it but I don't remember whether they were doing the breathing techniques or not they probably were that's an interesting book if you ever want to read it about her life of going through the Himalayas seeing all sorts of strange things

[@billpetersen298]

Have you read? into the silence.

[@ParaGon-o7k]

Great stuff and nice humble delivery. Refreshing. Thanks. Subscribed.

[@felixk5080]

I find your videos very helpful and get answers to many questions i had about the method. Thank you : )

[@mizukarate]

In Goju Karate most people use the higher stance. This is for some mobility when used as an attack. One time years ago I stood in this stance for 30 minutes.

[@KitaroWaga]

Nice! 30 minutes is solid 💪

[@mizukarate]

@@KitaroWaga Did it over 25 years ago. I heard that Shoto-Kan Karate used 30 min for it's black belt test.

[@m17434]

Thank you, Kitaro! More please.

[@KitaroWaga]

Thanks for watching. More is coming 😉

[@Jewelmind]

Thank you. I love your understanding of this. I will try this position more often.

[@KitaroWaga]

Nice to hear! thx for the comment

[@xerxesman1]

Im surprised more people didnt like this video. This is really good. And I admire you not being bothered by peoples judgement as I've seen you practice this outside aswell. something I can't do without feeling stabbed by other peopels eyes. One day I hope to achieve that. Best of luck! :)

[@KitaroWaga]

Thank you, Martin! Well, not being bothered by the stares of other people was something I needed to work up to. And I still do as I'm not a very extroverted person by nature. This would be actually a good video idea, thanks 😁

[@JeffCaplan313]

​@@KitaroWaga That would make for an EXCELLENT video. I live in a city and practice "mindful walking" regularly and I treat the uncomfortable feelings I get from the energy of other people VERY similarly to the uncomfortable feelings I get while exercising. Total game changer. ✌️

[@Troglor048]

​@@JeffCaplan313 Mindful walking? Like slow, taichi, bagua?

[@JeffCaplan313]

@@Troglor048 slow or fast...the thing that makes mindful walking is being so mindful of your intentions to walk, so the pace is always perfect.

[@fd4511]

@@Troglor048 it's walking with full presence in the moment and each body part. Being mindful of any tension and consciously releasing it. Externally it looks like a graceful walk. It can be fast or slow, as long you keep full awareness in the moment and keep your thoughts to a minimum by focusing on breath and body sensation.

[@Anakena3]

It’s always a pleasure to listen to your teaching. Thank you.

[@woutermolevelt1507]

interesting to know a bit more of the "why", thanks for sharing

[@jacobhoksza6354]

Love your content brother, wholesome and pure! Keep it up

[@KitaroWaga]

I appreciate that! Thank you Jacob

[@shanepoulin4340]

What do you think of going from 160degree sauna to 41 degree ice bath? I’ve done this a few times per week for almost 2 months now and I’m unsure if the contrast experience is really a therapy as they say. I mean it feels great, especially after resistance training. It’s very tempting to get right back in the sauna so I will substitute that with the horsestance now to avoid the mixing of cold blood with hot blood! 🙏

[@andrewchisholm3665]

Thanks for this it explains a lot. I was on a taster Wim Hoff breathing class in my gym on Saturday and it was great, yes even the ice dunking bit

[@jawohl3547]

Hi Kitaro! Great content, superb quality. Without cheap marketing tricks, just plain knowledge. Much appreciated! Quick question - for beginner what is more important in horse stance - maintaining 90* degree with your back and floor or getting as low as so upper tights are parallel to the floor? When I'm trying to go lower, my back just can't hold 90* degree it's rather 45* , so leaning forward much. thanks!

[@Mr440c]

Maintaining your back is a priority. You must never sacrifice a proper form for progress. Otherwise you're destroying your body. In your case it will be your lower back.

[@Kornwins]

Very informative! Thanks.

[@KitaroWaga]

You're welcome 🙏

[@nenya9065]

Thank you!!!

[@KitaroWaga]

You're welcome, Nenya!

[@mandateonmandalay7632]

Kiba dachi and shiko dachi were hit differently to your lower body and train for a different purpose. Kiba Dachi is for balance and generate inner strength sometime for kicking power. But Shiko Dachi is well known as Sumo stance. For Kiba Dachi your toe must point to straight forward regardless of your body structrutre. But since you're mostly talked about Shiko Dachi there you may losing for what Kiba Dachi can provide you yet.

[@kev4354]

Great explanation uncomplicated and succinct-ThankYou

[@davideylerYT]

Wow - excellent content. You're a fantastic teacher!

[@vincentpagano1686]

Very Nice Kitaro. Curious to know what your diet is like.

[@oneconsc3333]

Great video brother, nicely explained. Love and blessings 🙏🏼💜🇨🇦

[@mrdanyel73]

Great video, will definitely incorporate The Horse Stance now after my cold showers

[@dmitryvishnevsky5170]

great content!

[@KitaroWaga]

Thanks a lot

[@michaeleccher4068]

Great video and presentation, very helpful content. I just started doing ice baths, this will be an invaluable addition.

[@erijqudus1960]

I was always fascinated with the martial arts, I had also attended 2 schools, in one location run by a Korean Person many different senior artists came & monitored our practicing exercises but none ever talked about the philosophy of the art; and I also thought all this fighting is for defence, not until now. I am 77 years old & only 2 days ago I learned about the Horse Stance, I feel like I wasted most of my energy in trying to learn superflupus stuff which is a shame. Most of these Karate Schools are businesses, they make money from fees & selling the paraphinalia, yelling and jerky movements are name of the game in those places however, I am taking ONE lesson right NOW, Blaming others & complaining about Bad conditions does not solve the problems or improve the situations around us. I am not ready for icy waters yet but I will incorporate at least One Cold Shower/day (I live in Maine where water temperatures are very low) and stay in the horse stance as long as my body will allow me. My First mistake, I am letting my body contro;l my action & not the mind controlling the body. It will take a lot of practice and WILL POWER. Thank you Mr. Kitaro Waga.

[@graysonharrisful]

Great video, buddy! Good stuff for sure!

[@dogueiravibes]

THIS CHANNEL ITS A UNDERRATED GEM

[@KitaroWaga]

Thanks for the appreciation my friend! Such comments keep me going when time gets tough 😁

[@Unitedstatesian]

The benefits of the horse stance are well explained in your video. However, I prefer to remain still after my cold shower and focus on my breath (no movement). If I do a 2-minute cold shower for example then I usually feel warm after 2 minutes of standing still and breathing slowly. (same with a 5-minute shower). It is also a good way to know if you have done too much cold exposure. I suggest people try the standing still method, then do the horse stance to see how they feel. Especially if you think that you might be pushing too much with the cold...or if you are building up to see what your limit is... since the exercise right after might be covering up the fact that you might have gone too far with the cold. Just my opinion...an experiment for people to try.

[@bensadream]

Excellent instruction!

[@bioenergeticsscotland4812]

Great video and great presentation!

[@KitaroWaga]

Thank you!

[@nigel6862]

Thank you.. Will try 😊

[@ManjeetSingh-rt1lc]

I may correct you that lateral moving of vertabtea column produces heat

[@sebastianpage8507]

Dude.. your videos are ace man! Love it! Thank u! Keep it up 💪❤️

[@KitaroWaga]

Thanks a ton!

[@1ReneDumont]

Thank you for the video. Very informative and helpful. 💪🤙

[@Hurrrrricaaaaane]

Awesome video, thank you for that!

[@kobi2260]

Hi! First of all, great video as always! I wanted to ask, I don't do normally ice cold baths, but I do cold showers (even though it's not that cold in this time of year) When would you recommend implementing the horse stance in my daily routine? Usually I do Yoga, straight into Pranayama in the mornings, Do you think it fits in this morning routine, or should me inserted elsewhere? Thank you for spreading light brother!!!

[@KitaroWaga]

Hey Kobi, thank you for your comment! An option is to do the Horse Stance after your cold shower or in your cold shower if you shower longer (5 - 10 mins). Alternatively, you can do it somewhere between your Yoga practice and Pranayama.

[@hellfrozen3678]

the horse stance is a verry powerfull technique that can be helpfull for anyone,no matter what goals they have,It helped me in chalistenic,flexibility and boxing and I am sure it could help anyone doing any sports

[@wakeupp563]

hey in what way did it help you? did it make your tendons stronger? did you gain muscles faster?

[@justwatermoving]

Great insights. Thanks for the discernment between willpower development and use for contemplation/standing meditation.

[@randiclark1]

Excellent tutorial- TY Sir!

[@nonenone2907]

Which is better?Kibadachi (ma bu) or Shikodachi?I do Gojuryu and Kyanshorinryu we don't have kibadachi (ma bu).

[@tedkirk7755]

Phenomenal video - Super informative and motivating!

[@KitaroWaga]

Thank you, Ted!

[@robertyoung6268]

Do you have to do the normal wim hof method breathing during the horse stance exercise, or just deep belly breathing?

[@shain6946]

I’m loving these videos, the power of the mind and body. Thank you 🙏

[@KitaroWaga]

Glad you like them! Thanks Shain

[@jasinAmsterdam1976]

I want to include this in my workouts. How should I add this? doing it daily and building up time? Do it a few times a week? I exercise about 4 to 5 times a week

[@freddie3858]

Thanks for this video Kitaro! I'll surely start doing this. It looks like Kiba Dachi, right? I do have an issue with my back, getting it straight in line and therefor leaning forward. Is there an addtional excersie or something to do that the right way? Thank you

[@emptydog1109]

Do I understand you to say heat exposure to call exposure is not good? It’s cold outside where I live right now not too cold but upper 30s low 40s. I like to walk around outside in my shorts and a T-shirt and then walk to the YMCA i’m going to the sauna. sometimes come out of the sauna take a cold shower sometimes go back in to the sun. different combinations like that. are you warning against that?

[@JamieJacksonati]

Wonderful stuff! Thank you.

[@NBeev1]

I imagine a Wall Sit would work just as well if you lack the mobility for example.

[@heyArkay]

Seen it many times in movies and such and never ever attempted...assuming it's easy, how wrong was I 😁...thanks for the info and instruction 👍 Does the burn (assuming it's the lactic acid buildup) need rest after the horse stance exercise or use as a start up to engage in other sport (say tennis) afterwards?

[@domenicosimonelli1528]

Thanks 🙏 for your videos ❤🙏

[@niro8092]

Thank you.

[@dna1238]

❤ 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉,great explanation of the horse stance and its benefits 👏 and the broader goals ❤

[@MortenVoigt]

Thank you for this video I wasn't aware of the inner warmth and then the cold blood in the extremities have to merge together slowly - using fx a horse stance. I'm not using ice baths yet, just daily cold showers. How do you make that many ice cubes? Do you make them every day? Curious to hear your daily routine about that 😊

[@fd4511]

In his videos I've seen the ice cube bags next to the immersion tub. Ice can be purchased in food stores. Normally they are used in portable ice chests, for car camping or storing the water bottles when working on construction projects outside in summer. Restaurants, motels and gas stations might also have commercial ice machines where you can buy it in bulk. Don't use dry ice because it's frozen CO2 and causes frost bite.

[@MortenVoigt]

@@fd4511 thanks for your reply I had hoped this wasn't the answer because then it would require a lot of money to use it on a daily basis. 10 euros at least. And also the water used in these ready made icecubes aren't of good quality - at least not here.

[@fd4511]

@@MortenVoigt True, the ice cubes in bags are not for drinks but for cooling. You can use your own clean ice but if you don't want to invest in a bunch of silicone containers, use what you have. Small zip bags or sandwich bags can hold water, or just fill whatever plastic bottles you have and freeze them. Ice cubes will cool the water faster because of the greater total surface per cubic meter and thermodynamics, but you use what you have. Experiment with frozen bottles and see how many you need and how long it takes to cool the water that way. Smaller frozen bottles would cool the water faster than big bottles in the same tub.

[@fd4511]

Also, that large bag would last you for 5-6 dips. You don't use all at once unless you use it in a swimming pool. For a single person in a small tub, you don't need much ice to get the temperature you want.

[@MortenVoigt]

@@fd4511 yeah i guess I'll have to just experiment with how much ice I need to get a nice temperature. It's a great to use plastic bottles or bags - haven't thought of that. How long did it take you before I emerged into the icebaths? I haven't done wim hof style like hardcore every day. I have done it on and off. The last month or so I have taken cold showers every morning in an outdoor shower I have installed for the purpose. But I don't "know" when I'm ready to do more - meaning going into icebaths. I'm well aware that it's mostly about the power of our minds but I don't feel like pushing things too much. Forcing it.

[@florianluck111]

Great video, great explanation. Everything I asked for 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@KitaroWaga]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kokko9507]

Thank you for this video. I'm on a jorney of self-improvement and this has been a very useful introduction.

[@olddudeonaducati3153]

Thanks so much..

[@MrBaturina1]

Hi everyone, I have a problem when I am doing a cold shower. I try this method twice and I become sick after a couple of days/week of doing it. Any advice for me? I want to do it because I experience a lot of other benefits.

[@SkyScannerBtown]

i'm not really convinced of this whole wim hoff method, the power of the mind alone is enough. Why go in ice cold water, to me its one extreme to the next how about strengthening the mind to be neutral. It seems being neutral is a great trait in the midst of chaos for example.

[@sollacarra63]

Muchas Gracias!

[@UnapologeticAhole]

That's a very nice tub,where can I get one?

[@alexsoulblade]

You put me on the horse stance with your other video abt it. I also do it dynamic and side to side but super slow

[@KitaroWaga]

I'm sorry for torturing you again 😜

[@PrimeflexFitness]

Oh that was that stance for ...! Thanks for the video , it was very helpful!

[@KitaroWaga]

Glad you liked it!

[@Smalltime]

Thanks brother!

[@hansmuller7431]

I like the cold shower a lot and it helps. I started slow as Wim Hof teach. My "problem" is , that i feel realy cold, sometimes for hours. Doesnt matter so much if i move or not. Maybe you have an idea?:) thanks very much

[@hansmuller7431]

To less bodyfat maybe?

[@KitaroWaga]

There can be several reasons for that. So it's difficult to say. How does the Horse Stand help together with strong breathing ? Also the mind can play a big role. Keeping a strong mind after an ice bath / cold shower is really important as the real challenge begins after coming out. This is why in every WHM workshop we go straight into the Horse Stance as shown in the video. Additionally, drinking a hot cacao or soup can help.

[@hansmuller7431]

@@KitaroWaga thank you very much for answering. The horse stance helps to get warm right after the shower. But than, when i dress up and so on i become cold again for hours.

[@wzrd999]

Maybe there’s a problem with your thyroid, get it checked out

[@JoesGemsPodclips]

Thank you for this video!

[@jackforeman3687]

The author for that man myth and magic was David Alexandria Neal I believe she was a female Buddhist monk in the 1850s traveling in the Himalayas

[@nicolaos355]

Horse stance is just ultimate version of power pose ^^

[@jacquelinebrulotte5873]

thanks for this video

[@Daoland-Everywhere]

There are different ways to do the horse stance. The one you talk about is called military style. The civil style, as used in daoism is to realign your bodyparts into one whole and regulate your body temperature, making the Wim Hoff method antithetical because you take away the freedom of your body to develop and to create the kind of calm which is the opposite of the stress formation based Wim Hoff method.

[@dobhran3851]

Thank you very much 🙏🏻

[@TripleD303]

Nice Video! And because I am curious: do i hear a little swiss accent?