The Wim Hof Method

One on One with The Wim Hof ​​Method teacher Kamalika Stockton

By David Thomas

1. What is the Wim Hof ​​Method?

The Wim Hof ​​Method is a wellness practice started by a yogi from Sittard, Netherlands named Wim Hof. He developed this method through his natural ability to observe his body in nature. He noticed his body changed in the cold, and his breathing as well. This is why he says, "Nature is his teacher." The method comprises cold conditioning, breath work, and mindset/commitment. Wim Hof ​​became the "Iceman" after he won the Guinness World record for staying in an ice bath for 1 hour and 52mins. Along with this, he ran a marathon barefoot above the arctic zone. These daredevil tactics gave him some popularity. He wanted to show people that all humans are more capable than we think we are. Wim's wife had mental health issues and eventually took her own life. She left him with four young children.Wim's experience with doctors trying to help his wife's condition only made him feel powerless. I too could relate to this experience in 1998 after my son's father took his life. After her passing, he was determined to find a new way to help and deal with depression and anxiety. Through years of hard work Wim finally found a scientist at the Radboud University to take him seriously. 

They were conducting an experiment to see if it was possible to willfully influence the autonomic nervous system. The control group was exposed to an Endotoxin which is a little bit of bacteria (E-Coli) into the bloodstream to see if the immune system was influenced . 

Wim was exposed to the endotoxin as well and followed the injection by priming his body with plenty of oxygen and cold which proved to alter his Automatic Nervous System. 

The control group in this study did nothing to fight off the endotoxin, they had a full reaction from the immune system: headache, fever vomiting. Wim had a slight headache.

2. Talk about your journey, what led you to the Wim Hof ​​method?

My journey to becoming an instructor I believe was divine intervention. In the winter of 2013, I fell into a deep depression. If you've ever had one you know it's not fun. There is lots of crying involved in the confusion about who you are and what the heck are you doing with your life.

I had a spiritual awakening. 

The previous year I graduated college, divorced my husband and my father died. I had to go into survival mode to find a new home for me and the kids, work and grieve for my father; my best friend, my teacher, and life adviser . So a year later after the dust settled the feelings came back, and they hit hard. I felt lost and disconnected and it was winter with no sunshine. I started seeking guidance at the local yoga studio, this helped me put words to my experience and understand my body and energy centers, also known as Chakras.

My solar plexus was out of power. Personal drive, will power for live and to thrive was dwindling down. 

I would go down to Lake Erie at the end of my street and cry and see myself walking out on the frozen lake until I perished.

After time and time again begging, praying and searching for answers, it came to me. 

My inner fire, my drive for life needed to be kicked up, to survive. It was wintertime, I noticed that when I went outside my body would naturally start to move around and jump to stay warm. My breathing would change and get faster, my personal insight from being an artist made me realize I needed to be outside in the cold in nature. I needed the external cold to turn on the inside heat; that inner fire. I found a group of people doing nature dips throughout the winter. Every Sunday we would meet at the river. We did this all winter and afterwards we would go for lunch or hot tea. It helped me find community and support. My depression started to lift after being outside swimming in the Chagrin River, the river I 've swam in since I was 15 years old.

So yes my mood changed, my first time in the snowing river was life changing. You can only think of the cold when you are in the cold. I was hooked. It was like instant meditation. 

The next year once again the rug got pulled out from under me. In 2014 I found out I had Brain Cancer. I went through surgery and a year of chemotherapy. I wouldn't have gotten through that if it weren't for my polar plunge group. I still showed up every Sunday with the help of my group. This is when I was introduced to the Wim Hof ​​Method, one of my Polar plunge buddies sent me a VICE documentary about Wim. In this video Wim's friend had cancer, and the man said “I don't know if this method will cure my cancer, but I feel like I have some control in my life.” I started doing the breathing component to the method, I purchased Wim Hof's video course. I was learning how to fully use the method daily. I signed up for a workshop with Wim Hof ​​in New York City. Once again a mind-blowing life changing experience.This is where I really learned the breathing technique properly. I tried my best from the video and YouTube, but getting a teacher firsthand helped. I was inspired to become an instructor, my life had changed so much. During my chemotherapy, the method kept my energy strong! And my mood and zest for life going. I would get my blood taken monthly to check my white blood count. If my white blood count was low I would do a few extra rounds of breathing and my count would go back up . This showed me actual proof that goes back to the endotoxin study. I used this method through 6 weeks of radiation and chemo. During that time I formulated my treatment plan. After radiation, I did 3 rounds of Wim Hof ​​breathing, light yoga, and a meditation session. Sometimes it was a traditional style meditation and other times I did a guided Dr.Joe Dispenza meditation. Doing this practice consistently gave me the benefits I needed! I also had less radiation burn on my skin. The doctors couldn't believe how great I did through all that radiation and Chemotherapy. This goes into the next question, what are the benefits of the Wim Hof ​​Method? I just share my personal experience with the method. I also had fewer colds and flu. What I've seen in my clients is increased confidence, less wintertime depression, increased happiness, less joint pain and increased sports endurance. Greater oxygen capacity and more stamina. These are just a few of the outside obvious things witnessed. I also saw within myself and others that their intuition has gotten stronger, their ability to understand their own body more.I also had less radiation burn on my skin. The doctors couldn't believe how great I did through all that radiation and Chemotherapy. This goes into the next question, what are the benefits of the Wim Hof ​​Method? I just share my personal experience with the method. I also had fewer colds and flu. What I've seen in my clients is increased confidence, less wintertime depression, increased happiness, less joint pain and increased sports endurance. Greater oxygen capacity and more stamina. These are just a few of the outside obvious things witnessed. I also saw within myself and others that their intuition has gotten stronger, their ability to understand their own body more.I also had less radiation burn on my skin. The doctors couldn't believe how great I did through all that radiation and Chemotherapy. This goes into the next question, what are the benefits of the Wim Hof ​​Method? I just share my personal experience with the method. I also had fewer colds and flu. What I've seen in my clients is increased confidence, less wintertime depression, increased happiness, less joint pain and increased sports endurance. Greater oxygen capacity and more stamina. These are just a few of the outside obvious things witnessed. I also saw within myself and others that their intuition has gotten stronger, their ability to understand their own body more.what are the benefits of the Wim Hof ​​Method? I just share my personal experience with the method. I also had fewer colds and flu. What I've seen in my clients is increased confidence, less wintertime depression, increased happiness, less joint pain and increased sports endurance. Greater oxygen capacity and more stamina. These are just a few of the outside obvious things witnessed. I also saw within myself and others that their intuition has gotten stronger, their ability to understand their own body more.what are the benefits of the Wim Hof ​​Method? I just share my personal experience with the method. I also had fewer colds and flu. What I've seen in my clients is increased confidence, less wintertime depression, increased happiness, less joint pain and increased sports endurance. Greater oxygen capacity and more stamina. These are just a few of the outside obvious things witnessed. I also saw within myself and others that their intuition has gotten stronger, their ability to understand their own body more.I also saw within myself and others that their intuition has gotten stronger, their ability to understand their own body more.I also saw within myself and others that their intuition has gotten stronger, their ability to understand their own body more.

3. Not everyone can afford ice and a giant bucket for daily cold baths. What would be a way someone could reasonably practice at home?

Well to get the health benefits of cold conditioning you only need to expose your body once a week. There was a science experiment showing this. They took Wim’s blood consecutively and it showed for 6 days the adrenaline hormone in his system. So it’s not that much work or money to expose yourself once a week to increase that immune system. If you’re from the North we also have long winters to expose yourself naturally to the cold. Try not to wear a coat and walking barefoot outside in the snow. The water needs to be under 51 degrees, you can get a pool thermometer to check your shower. If you can also put ice in your bathtub. You can use a clean trash can but remember to never ice alone!

4. Is this influenced by yoga? 

Yes, Wim Hof ​​is a Master Yogi. Yoga is about the mind, body and spirit connection. The Wim Hof ​​Method is about deepening your connections and witnessing the power of the Trinity!

5. What is the future of the Wim Hof ​​method?

I believe this method is a great foundation to really bloom from. With willpower, intuition, and a positive outlook you can go anywhere. This method also proves you can take control of your health. That doctors and pharmaceutical companies don't have to control your life.

David Thomas

Global Human Rights Journalist