My Evolving Cold Water Training @Meditn. – Personal Training Vancouver

My Evolving Cold Water Training @Meditn. Personal Training Vancouver

History, and Evolution of My Evolving Cold Water Training

 

When I started martial arts training a little over 40 years ago, as a 16 year old teenager, I would come across these pictures of martial arts meditating underneath waterfalls and I must say I was intrigued and impressed. It demonstrated, obviously, some level of resolve. I did not do it at that time but was curious.

This is one of the best pics I could find.. currently

 

Then about 31 years ago I read General Choi Hong Hi’s book and the seed that was planted 10 years prior took root. The General recommended regular Cold showers to build spirit and that was certainly enough stimulation to start. So I would engage in regular cold showers; not off the cuff. Typically I would start my hygiene in a warm shower but I would typically always end all showers with a cold shower period and I would use that time to develop resolve and do some daily prayers.

After some time, it occurred to me, due to the popularity of annual polar bear swims, that we should do polar bear swims as a group to develop team spirit, resolve for the years goal achievements and prepare for fight victories,  and start the new year refreshed. That has been awesome. We would run around the lake on January first, charge up the body and do at least 3 dunks representing the development of the mind, body and spirit and have some time to get solid about our objectives and develop camaraderie. We have done that for some time and will do again this year, January 1, 2021. Everyone goes at their own pace, has fun, and enjoys the challenge. This year I will spend more time in the water and enjoy the experience.

 

 

Recent Evolution of My Cold Water Training, Benefits and Recommendations

 

The amazing feats of Wim Hof came to my attention relatively recently. He has numerous world records for enduring cold temperatures in ice baths, running on ice barefoot, swimming underwater and has now gotten validation scientifically for neutralizing toxins with his training and breath techniques and he has had his students demonstrate the same effects. He has made numerous claims and I am not here to discuss those in too much detail but he has devoted his life to this practice and has done amazing things. He has inspired me too evolve and change my cold water practice.

 

Now I typically engage in daily purely cold baths for hygiene and meditation/prayer. I am not pursuing times like Wim. I typically am doing 5 minute cold baths and I  sometimes go 10 minutes. I may go longer in the future, as this is an ongoing pursuit. It is certainly refreshing and not difficult once I learned to apply the  charging of my body with some breathing techniques and learned to relax in the cold water. My martial arts practice has always been involved in various breath training and we can apply some of those techniques and I also apply some of the classic Wim Hof breathing techniques, which are not overly complicated.

The main benefits of Cold water training for Personal Training Vancouver are: 1. Alertness 2. Improved Mood 3. Decreased Inflammation ( this has gotten popular in mma circles for decreasing recovery time) However, be careful because there are some indications that muscular gains can be impeded with excessive cold water training and that is one of the reasons I am not pushing duration excessively. 4. Increased Brown, Beneficial Fat, which helps metabolism 5. Trains the Vagus Nerve, which helps you face stressful situations more adequately and have more resolve. 6. Skin and Hair Benefits and 7. Strengthens Immunity.

The science is getting stronger on these benefits and I have a recommendation. Try it. However, if you are sick, take care of yourself as a priority, depending on your situation, of course. I certainly enjoy the feeling and the other benefits, which are hard to measure subjectively, but they are a good reason to continue. Sometimes I do it at night after a workout before bed and I just wear socks to bed as my feet take awhile to warm up. Otherwise my recommendation, for a  mixed martial arts practitioner, or for anyone, is to do it. I wish you good luck and if this has been entertaining and informative, that is awesome.

I will update on a future blog my changing Mediation and breathing techniques. Here is a link to our blog:

We have an awesome instructor team for private and group training. Here is a link to our MMA Website: Posener’s Pankration/MMA, Muay Thai, MTSC and Kids MMA

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If you are interested in group or personal training, please contact me through our websites.

Simon Posener