Recently, I had the privilege of participating in a two-hour breathwork and cold immersion session led by Marcel Hof during his tour of New Zealand. For those unfamiliar with Marcel, he has devoted over forty years to empowering individuals to build resilience and transform their lives through powerful techniques such as breathwork, cold endurance, and shamanic journeying. He trained alongside his brother, Wim Hof, the world-renowned Iceman, and has developed methods to help individuals manage stress, anxiety and emotional challenges.

My Experience

After a few intense weeks filled with long hours of work and relentless studying, I had inadvertently let go of my daily meditation practice, which serves as my haven from stress and an anchor to the present. As a result, tension in my body had begun to accumulate, leading to intense headaches.

Upon arriving at the beautiful venue, everyone was warmly welcomed by Marcel and our gracious hosts, Renee, The Oracle, and Laura, owner of Revitalize Wellness Society. 

Marcel began by leading our group through eight rounds of transformative breathwork, each round building upon the last to deepen our connection with ourselves and the present moment. With every round, I felt a growing sense of clarity, the layers of tension gradually released as I allowed my body to relax. The breathwork enabled me to explore my sensitivity and vulnerability, helping me acknowledge and integrate the deeper aspects of myself.

Once fully open and present, we submerged ourselves into a 4º Ice bath. Despite years of practice and a cold shower that morning, I still had to combat the mental chatter urging me not to take the plunge. I reminded myself that by willingly exposing myself to this external stressor, I can challenge my nervous system to cope with unpredictable situations in life, ultimately improving my resilience. 

As I sank into the ice-cold water, a sharp, prickly sensation overwhelmed my body. My breath quickened, and I concentrated on slowing it down. After a few moments, the prickly feeling began to subside, and a warmth enveloped me. The cold became more tolerable as I felt my muscles relaxing.

Exposure to the cold activates the body’s stress response, specifically the sympathetic nervous system. Breathing through this experience can train us to relax during stressful situations.

After three minutes in the cold water, a wave of calm washed over me, dissolving any remaining tension and clearing the clutter from my mind. As I warmed myself in the embrace of the sunshine, I felt invigorated and alive with boundless energy.

For the rest of the day, I felt incredible. We so often put other priorities ahead of ourselves and our mental well-being. The Marcel Hof experience reminded me of the importance of my daily practices and how our mental health ought to take precedence above all else. 

Benefits of Cold Immersion

Please note: Cold immersion increases stress on the body, affects circulation, heart rate and blood pressure. Seek medical guidance if you have a pre-existing health condition.

Anna Roters

A special thank you to:

Marcel Hof – Hof Method – Marcel has spent more than forty years helping people cultivate resilience and change their lives using impactful techniques like breathwork, cold exposure, and shamanic journeying. He has created methods that include breathing techniques, cold endurance, meditations, autonomy and synergy, quantum hypnosis, physical exercise and yoga.

For more information, visit: https://www.marcelhof.com/ or connect with him on Instagram @themarcelhofmethod

Renee Taylor – The Oracle – With more than twenty years of experience in mediumship, Renee offers guidance and supports people to connect with their higher selves. She creates a safe space to explore their inner worlds and align their souls with their human experiences. As an international medium, channeler, healer, and oracle, Renee is dedicated to helping souls on their journeys.

For more information, visit: https://www.reneetaylor.nz/ or connect on Instagram @by_reneetaylor.nz

Laura Crittenden – Revitalize Wellness Society – Laura has been on a personal journey for the past ten years. Her purpose is to create a space where individuals feel safe, seen, and heard. She offers a variety of services to support people with their mental health, including red light therapy, float tanks, contrast therapy, yoga, massage, sound healing, breathwork, retreats, sound therapy, and more.

For more information about Revitalize Wellness Society, visit: revitalizewellness.life or connect with Laura on Instagram @revitalizewellnesssociety

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn