To My Grandkids,
     Cold Therapy, Breathwork, WimHoff...
      What's it about?
   Recently I've been very interested in watching videos of Wim Hoff. If you've never heard of him, he is an amazing being who is testing out the limits of what our physical and mental limits are. He has a method that is very well known, and has been studied and backed up by science. In a nutshell, Wim does a series of intense breathwork, causing his blood to be very oxygen saturated. This in turn activates certain chemicals in his brain to flow throughout the body, which prevents the body from focusing on stress. After gaining complete control and awareness of his breath, he subjects himself to extreme situations- whether it be ice baths, hiking up snowy mountains barefoot with only shorts on, or running a half marathon in the desert with no water- he endures through it with no problem. 
      Since I've been interested in it for a while now, I decided to give it a try. For the past 7 days, as soon as I wake up, I take a walk down to the creek, take some deep breaths, and get in. (Mind you, this water is runoff from Mt Hood above us, so it is COLD.) As soon as I get in, my survival instinct is to get OUT, or gasp and lose my breath.. But the science behind this is all in the breath, so I force myself to slow it down, filling my lungs slowly and deeply, then exhale fully, pulling more and more oxygen in my body slowly and completely focusing on the breath. After a few moments of breathing deeply, I gain control of the situation. My body shuts off the danger response as I continue to focus on the breath. Inhale, exhale, slowly but with power, I accept the cold as a lesson. I do this for several minutes, shooting for 3-5 before I take one last breath and step out. The step OUT is where euphoria really hits- I start laughing and jumping around, feeling FULL of energy, strength and power. I am overflowing with excitement- and feeling completely and entirely HERE in the moment. It feels exhilarating.
     I've only been a friend of the cold now for 7 days, but I am going to continue to indulge myself in discomfort in the mornings- It makes me feel ALIVE and ready for my day. Not only is this practice good for the BODY, but for the MIND as well.
​       As I continue learning more about my own mind, body, and soul, I will continue to share what I experience, hoping to influence others to be curious for their own well being.
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Take risks,
push limits,
try everything.
Until we meet someday, Love always,
Your ice cold granny J :)