He thrills audiences and impresses scientists. Thanks to rigorous training, breathing techniques and meditation sessions, Wim Hof has developed almost superhuman resistance to the cold. Here’s a look back at the journey of a man who seems to be at one with the ice and, beyond his performances, spreads a veritable mantra of life.
While winter encourages us to get out our down jackets, scarves and other well-covered accessories, there’s one man who, whatever the season, walks around in shorts and a t-shirt all year round. And he goes even further, exposing himself to sub-zero temperatures and icy waters, with a control of mind and body that leaves you speechless. But who is Wim Hof, aka Ice Man?
A method based on three pillars
Born in 1959 in the Netherlands, Wim Hof grew up in a modest family of nine children. At the age of 17, he plunged into his first cold-water bath. This brief moment in his life was a revelation: the young man found himself in total osmosis with his physiology, and developed a passion for the practice. Already close to nature and Zen philosophies, Wim Hof discovered that his spirituality and connection to himself were enhanced by low-temperature mercury.
Over the years, he fine-tunes his method for staying longer in icy waters and resisting the cold ever more strongly. Wim Hof became Iceman, and popularized these shivering experiences around the world. And while one might think that Wim Hof’s ability is rare and genetic, he denies it and values training. His twin doesn’t have the same stamina as he does.
Click here to read the entire article on Luxus Magazine
Featured Photo: © Instagram Wim Hof
