Journal
Everyone breathes. But when it comes to breathwork the word ‘work’ is very deliberate.
With our modern lifestyles, stress, poor posture, and low awareness of how to breathe ‘properly’ have meant that for the vast majority, this completely free and incredibly powerful tool has fallen by the wayside.
This is one of our most asked questions, and Daniel gives us a great top-level summary of the most well-known benefits of cold water immersion. But let’s have a quick overview of the full range.
Daniel is often asked about the frequency and the length of cold dips. The answer is as unique as the person asking the question.
You don’t get good at press-ups or handstands, juggling, ju-jitsu, bench-pressing, knitting, playing music or whatever by doing it just once. We know this to be true. CWI is a practice. Show up daily, design it into your routines and reap the benefits.
The most important thing to do when you emerge from your ice bath is to warm up naturally and gradually.
Yes, it’s tempting to wrap up in your dry robe or dash to the sauna - but hold off! Allowing the body to create its own heat is all part of the process, and where many of the benefits are found.
The cold is a very personal thing. We each practise the cold in different ways for different reasons and your journey is your own. Only you can get yourself through it and only you can conquer the cold. But there are some techniques that can help you prepare. Here, we explore the three ways Daniel Kluken prepares for the cold to help you get the most from your practice.
In this 3-minute guided cold exposure, Daniel invites you to surrender to the cold, reminding us that the cold is always stronger than we will ever be.
We are not trying to fight it or control it, we are trying to make peace with it.
As Wim Hoff puts it, “When you go into the cold, you cannot think. You have to be. You learn to be, to be the best version of yourself.”
In this video, Daniel guides us through a 1-minute cold exposure session. Before entering the water, focus on the conscious decision you made to face the cold. Understanding your ‘why’ is an important part of your mental preparation every time you’re preparing to enter the water.
Dutch-born Daniel Kluken has been exploring and teaching cold exposure for over 10 years, working with people from over 40 countries as a high-performance, leadership and mindset mentor.
Up in Scotland’s Speyside Valley lies the whisky trail that winds alongside the cold rushing waters of the Spey River. This famous fiery amber nectar is carried in casks and barrels all over the world, but it’s right here, in this beautifully remote spot, where our story begins.
Feeling drained or like your mental sharpness isn't what it used to be? Trust me, I've been there. Like many of you, I went through countless health tips, looking for ways to shake off this sluggishness.
When we say “cold” we mean anywhere below 16°C. A typical “ice bath” is 5-10°c. Brass Monkey Ice Baths can be set anywhere between 0.1-10°c. The rule is, it has to be cold enough to be uncomfortable, to create a feeling of “Sh*t, I need to get out, but I can stay in, safely”.
When we say ‘stress’ we usually think of life stress. Money worries, a job, relationship problems, children causing havoc. The list goes on. Chronic and persistent levels of cortisol in the bloodstream can cause serious mental and physical health problems. Tackling these usually requires fixing the cause and/or our response to the cause, which is why exercise and meditation can provide some remedy, even when we’re in the thick of it.
One of the things we get asked the most is; ‘How long should I be spending in an ice bath?’ The short answer: it depends. Slowly building up to 2 minutes below 1°c is great. If your goal is to reap the maximum benefit possible then there’s no need to stay in any longer than 3 minutes!
From Tony Robbins to Joe Wicks, there's science behind the link between high achievers and deliberate cold exposure. So many CEOs and celebrities swear by their cold water habit, here's why. How do you picture the morning routine of a successful CEO, Athlete, or Entrepreneur? Probably an early #5amclub wake up, journaling, and meditation. Followed by exercise and a cold shower before the rest of the population is even awake.
When we post about breathwork, the most common response is: “I’m a pro, I breathe every day.” Yes, breathing is what keeps us alive. But most of us aren’t doing it right.
When it comes to ice baths and even wild swimming, there’s one thing you should be mindful of… the after-drop. We’ll explore what exactly the after-drop is, why it happens to our bodies and what we can do to avoid it.
Let’s explore the benefits, precautions, and tips to help you make the most of your first ice bath experience.
Does cold immersion impact muscle growth and should it be avoided if you’re looking to gain muscle mass? Yes, and no. Our ice baths are used by athletes across the UK as an essential part of their physical recovery. If you’re specifically aiming to build muscle, read on.
