Wim Hof Fundamentals Course: My First Experience

Read my last blog post first to understand what made me book onto the Wim Hof fundamentals course.

My first experience of the Wim Hof Fundamentals course

I was so excited and ready for this course from when I booked it back in January 2022, right up until the beginning of September. I then completely forgot about it while I was in the process of setting up my nutrition business and then looked at the calendar a few weeks before and the reality had hit, I felt very nervous and not ready at all!

The nerves really began a week before, I knew this as I didn't really want to acknowledge it was happening and spent the whole week keeping myself very busy.

The course day started at 1 pm so I had all morning to half think about it and half distract myself. I ate a bowl of homemade bone broth and vegetable soup at about 11.30 as I was told to eat a lighter meal (this turned out to be just the right amount of food for me).

I then drove to the event with a couple of friends and tried to get my headspace to a place of acceptance. I was excited to see my colleagues and I knew that I could face the challenge when it came to it, even if I didn't feel 'ready'.

We arrived and all had a short time to chat a little before going into the room with a cup of tea, kindly provided by the instructor (Gus Hoyt @breathandice). We were all nervous and you could feel the anticipation in the room.

Once in the room, we all put out yoga mats out and settled ourselves in, although the ice baths at the edge of the room did not help to settle the nerves. There is one thing seeing them on Gus's Instagram and another thing in person.

Gus introduced himself before we then all led down for a guided breathing session. This was really lovely as it enabled me to ground myself more into the space and get more mentally prepared for being in the room, leaving behind all the worries of getting there. The breathing was gentle and relaxing.

Then one of my favourite parts of the day happened when Gus got us to all go around the room introducing ourselves and what we hoped the day might support us with and what we each wanted to get out of the day. While it was very nerve-racking to speak in front of the group, everyone shared very deeply about themselves and their struggles (optional as to how deep you wanted to go). It was such a sacred space and with a greater understanding of where we were all, it really felt special and connected the group more deeply.

Gus then explained the technique with our questions in mind and it was a real light bulb moment for me in understanding how the Wim Hof breathing technique is able to support the body and mind, especially the nervous system (i.e. stress, digestion, healing, inflammation, etc) something I have a real personal interest in. With this new understanding, I felt much more open to giving the breathing and ice bath my all. I also could see how the breathing practice long-term would be of real benefit to me and my clients.

The Breathing Technique

Before I knew it, it was time to relax back on my yoga mat under lovely warm blankets and get ready to try the breathing technique. I immediately felt better knowing I was being guided and held by Gus, compared to trying it out myself at home. I really liked Gus's breathing pace, it felt relatively easy to do and I just tried to let go.

Everyone's experience was different some felt energy building in their bodies or new ideas popping into their heads. For me, I didn't feel anything on the first round other than feeling marginally more relaxed. Then on the second round, my legs (especially my right leg) and hands began to feel like a mix of cramp and pins and needles. It wasn't a pleasant feeling but it was a sign I was doing it correctly. Then on the breath hold, I could feel my ears buzzing and the sounds around quieting a little.

On the third round, something amazing happened!

On the third round, something amazing happened. I was getting concerned about my right foot as I could not feel it but as I knew it was to be expected I tried to just let go. Suddenly, I developed the biggest grin on my face and if I wasn't holding back so much would have burst into fits of laughter. I felt so much safer after this experience knowing I had the choice to let it out or keep it in something. I assumed you had no choice and that the emotions would suddenly burst out with no control. Then in the final round, I must have gone back into my thinking space because of having that experience, as I didn't experience anything more other than a sore head from lying on the ground and a very, very dead leg.

When Gus was bringing the group back out for the final time I really was not ready, I wanted to keep going! I knew I was getting there and I just needed more practice at letting go and trusting my body. Although coming out sooner, does mean that I am now dying to try it out again at home!

Gus put on some lovely music as we were all coming to, and there was just such a lovely feeling of peace from everyone in the group. We had made it through the thing that I was most worried about! After asking all of my questions and experiencing it for myself under supervision I now feel ready to try the technique out myself at home knowing I am safe and nothing but benefits will come out of it.

It was then very special for the group to share their experiences (if they wanted to) as everyone got something different out of it. Everyone's experience was positive no matter what came up for them and in such a short space of time!

The Ice Bath - Wim Hof Fundamentals Course

We had all spent so much time working towards the breathing technique that it was a bit of a slap in the face when Gus mentioned moving on to the ice bath. The reality of it hit home and my heart began to race with the fear of the unknown. What would it be like, could I do it, what if I make a fool of myself in front of everyone, will people judge my body in swimwear?

I put on my swimming costume and then put my clothes back on over the top. We then met back in the room for an explanation and Gus answered any questions. We were then paired up which really added to our bonding experience!

Watching the first couple go in made my heart race and I honestly wanted to cry and run away (it's been a bit stressful setting up my business and my headspace wasn't the best). I was glad that I was the fourth couple to go in as I was able to stand for a few moments with my eyes closed and prepare myself. I reconnected with the why, asked myself what getting in might mean for me and what did I want to leave behind in the ice bath. I felt a lot more mentally prepared but my heart was still racing and I just had to go for it one step at a time as it was now my turn.

I stood at the side of the ice bath, looked into my ice bath partner's eyes and we both stepped in. It was not as cold as I had expected when it touched my feet and lower legs (the signals had not quite had the time to make it to my brain). We then both took slow deep breaths and lowered ourselves in under the close guidance of Gus. It was a cold shock and I took myself straight back to the why I had thought about before I got in, ignored the embarrassment I might feel from doing deep breathing out loud in front of everyone, closed my eyes and began to take deep primal breaths. I gained a sense of control and power, it felt amazing and on the fourth deep breath my body showed signs of shivering violently but by the time I had breathed in and out, it had gone. I was in complete control and the biggest grin appeared on my face. Gus then guided me to slow my breathing down and within 30 seconds or so I was able to stay in control and felt 100x better than before getting in.

I was able to look at the ice and really take in the moment. I initially put my hands in the water but Gus said I might like to take them out as it can be very intense. I took them out and boy did it feel better. Then approaching the 2-minute mark I felt ready to put them back in again.

After 2 minutes I slowly climbed out and it was really lovely for one of my colleagues to pass me my towel (it felt like I was really being held by the group). I then quickly dried myself off (it hurt a bit as I was so cold) and then began to do the Wim Hof horse stance to warm myself up. This was what I didn't do when I was doing the ice baths at home last year and have now learnt why that is so dangerous not to warm up your limbs quickly first!

I was shocked at how cold the ice bath was in comparison to the ones I tried myself last summer. I only used 2 small bags of ice, whereas Gus used multiple large bags and left them many hours to fully melt and cool the water. It was a freezing 2 degrees!

We then watched the final few people experience their ice baths before all doing the horse stance in a circle together sharing our experiences. It felt like such a lovely group of people that all cared for one another, we were a tribe and we had made it through together!

I felt great driving home, what an achievement and I was very excited about putting on my pjs and having a nice warm meal knowing all that I had achieved that day!

What was different to how I expected:

• You were in much more control of the breathing technique than I thought and safer than I believed it to be. Plus it is a lot shorter than you might imagine.

• I was worried about getting my body out before climbing into the ice bath and then doing the horse stance in front of everyone, but it was nowhere near as embarrassing as I imagined. Everyone was there as their true selves and it felt that everyone in the group was accepted just as they were.

• I didn't expect the water to be as cold as it was, however, this made it all the better when you did manage to find peace using your breath when submerged in it.

• I didn't expect there to be ongoing support, knowing Gus had sent us an email with lots of information and was open to any questions ongoing made me feel even more held and supported on my newfound journey with the Wim Hof Method.

  
  

It was a day I will never forget.