Take a breath. 

There, isn’t that a nice reminder? It’s amazing what simply focusing on your breath can do for your mental and physical tension. The breath is a powerful thing (yogis, you feel us!). And the Wim Hof method, which claims to help us tap into our inner power, sets breathing forth as one of our pillars. 

You can explore the other two pillars — cold therapy and commitment — at your own leisure because we want to focus on breathing today. The question is: does your breathing need an overhaul?

Seems simple, but your breath matters. 

Breathing. No big deal, right? We all do it all the time. 

But that’s part of the problem. Because your body automatically breathes, you probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. And that can lead to shallow breaths that don’t give our bodies the oxygen we need. On the flip side, proper breathing:

• Boosts your energy
• Calms you and helps release tension
• Strengthens your cardiovascular system, which can improve athletic performance
• Supports your immune system
• Triggers the release of endorphins, boosting your mood
• Helps your body detox

How to breathe better, courtesy of Wim Hof. 

Wim Hof is a pretty fascinating character (you can read all about the Iceman here). His love of cold forced him to change his breathing. Today, thousands of people swear by his method. 

Are you ready to think about your breath? Here’s a short overview of the Wim Hof breathing method. 

1. Get comfy. You’ll want to be laying down in loose-fitting clothing. 
2. Perform 30 power breaths through your mouth. To take a power breath, breathe in deeply, then let your body naturally release your exhalation (i.e. don’t force the breath out or exhale fully). You’ll be taking in more air than you’re letting out so you might feel sort of like you’re hyperventilating. You might also feel tingly or lightheaded. That’s normal. 
3. Once you’ve finished your 30 power breaths, immediately empty your lungs of air. Relax and stay that was as long as you can, then take a deep breath in and hold it for 15 seconds. Let the breath go. 
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 three more times. 

If you want to track your progress as you try Wim Hof’s technique, you can time how long you’re able to hold your lungs in their empty state after your rounds of power breaths. 

When we tried Wim Hof’s method, we felt energized so we’d recommend taking it for a spin. Even if it doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, at least give your body a fresh flood of oxygen by taking a few slow, deep breaths. Enjoy. 

Be well,