Just Breathe…Your Life Depends On It
You will find out very fast, who you are and what you need in life when you are immersed in an ice bath. I recently learned this first hand.
Anyone out there that is searching for something a little different in the way of wellness may have encountered the Wim Hof breathing technique.
I felt drawn to this wellness modality for a number of reasons. I had practised guided breath work around the end of 2019 and it was quite literally life changing. The shedding of fear, anxiety, grief and so much more felt like the shedding of a heavy, dead layer of skin that I had been lugging around for years. I felt lighter and more balanced and for the first time in a long time, I moved freely in the world. Relationships improved, work came easily to me, anything that was holding me back began to gradually lift through a practise of breath work.
I had signed up for my first Wim Hof workshop by March of 2020 but the world had other plans and we all went into lockdown so that retreat became unavailable at that time. When restrictions eased I found myself searching again and longing to reconnect with the breath and ultimately my true self.
I booked myself a five day retreat in the astounding Cliffs of Moher retreat in Liscannor, Co. Clare and WOW, I was blown away. Pardon the pun.
The retreat centre itself is truly beautiful and is the life work of Michelle and Michael. What a place they have created, I found it to be a safe space for people to come and re-boot their lives, to find within themselves strength, resilience and peace. Whether your work life is stressful, you need a break from the family or relationships, a bit of craic or just want to try something different, this might be the spot for you. You can explore what they have to offer here and I’d highly recommend it. Shout out to the kitchen staff, the food is top class!
The breath work was the main focus of the retreat, we explored various types of breathing, the science behind it and its health benefits but most importantly we put it into practise, daily. The ice baths are merely to focus your mind in a high pressure situation, the cold forces you to practise your breath and relinquish control by breathing deeply. Simply put, stop thinking and just breathe. Paradoxically, the more you surrender, the more control of your life you will have. Surrender, let go, breathe and all will be well.
I loved every minute of it, I experienced surreal spiritual moments, moments of pure energy, power and love through the breath alone and moments of deep surrender. I’ve taken those techniques home with me and I practise them in my daily life, it continues to teach me how to cope in stressful situations.
The Wim Hof instructors, Niall O Murchu and Michelle Moroney are wonderful beings, gentle and encouraging but also the best craic! I look forward to breathing with them again! (That sounds silly but it’s true).
I now practise the Wim Hof technique every morning before I get out of bed and so far, so good. I’m calmer, happier, more at peace within myself, I move gently in the world and I’m full of energy. I’ve committed to this practise to see where it takes me and I’m excited to see what it holds.
This is my life, this is my breath, this is the breath of life, I surrender deeply to all it has to teach me.
You might just find your true self at the bottom of your own breath.