Isabel Einsiedl and Gerrit Curcio are at the Landhotel Altes Zollhaus management and also run Wim Hof Workshops and Retreats as the method has given them many benefits in different areas of their lives. Whilst they both swear by their health improvements and greater stress resistance as a result of the method, Gerrit originally used the method for Improvement of athletic performance sought out. Isabel, on the other hand, had been doing yoga and other spiritual practices for many years and found a practice with the Wim Hof Method that offered her similar benefits quickly and safely, for example to get into mental states that help her create art.
Wim Hof breathing exercises are based on ancient Indian pranayama techniques
According to Wim himself, the breathing exercises used in the Wim Hof method actually originate from yogic practices, the Pranayama. Pranayama is an ancient yoga exercise. It is a Sanskrit word consisting of two syllables: prana, which means life energy, and yama, which means control or regulation. Pranayama therefore refers to the control of life energy through breathing exercises. There are many different types of pranayama, but they all have the same goal: to cleanse, relax and vitalise the body and mind. Through targeted breathing, we can influence our nervous system and improve both our physical and mental well-being.
Increase the body's own defences
Wim Hof focuses on increasing the body's defences through the conscious control of breathing and the application of cold. The Wim Hof breathing technique is easy to learn and requires no prior knowledge of yoga. Essentially, it involves breathing in and out quickly and forcefully to supply the body with oxygen and bring it into a state of relaxation. This is combined with holding the breath for a longer period of time. The breathing technique can be performed either standing, sitting or lying down.
Wim Hof himself has tested his breathing technique in extreme temperatures and claims that it enables him to protect his body from the cold and survive at extreme altitudes. Spiritual people can use the Wim Hof breathing technique to calm their mind and deepen their meditation. By breathing consciously and deeply, they can improve their concentration and achieve a sense of inner peace and balance.
Impressive workshop experiences with Gerrit and Isabel
I was able to experience the powerful effects of this breathing technique for myself at a workshop run by Gerrit and Isabel. We lay on our yoga mats and covered ourselves, and then, under the guidance of the two workshop organisers, we started breathing. Isabel and Gerrit played music to help us get deeper into our breathing and drummed rhythmically. I myself felt a mental freedom that I have hardly ever experienced before. I felt like I had "disappeared" - I had no thoughts at all. I've never experienced that before, because despite regular meditation practice, I usually follow physical sensations or focus my mind on something specific during meditation.
Other participants also had impressive experiences that sounded both healing and beneficial as well as extraordinary. Not every workshop gives people such deep and memorable experiences, but this experience showed me the potential power of the technique the first time I tried it.
The breathing technique doesn't take long and can be incorporated into your daily routine
You can easily incorporate the breathing technique into your daily routine after learning it at home. Gerrit and Isabel like to do it early - you can even do it when you're still in bed - and often combine it with morning exercise, a cold bath in natural water or a cold shower. I also tried out the breathing technique again in the following days, for example in the middle of nature on a hike, and was able to feel the clearing effect on the mind again. It may be advisable to perform the technique while lying down or leaning against something so that you can completely relax and let go.
Further information on the Workshops and retreats, also from other course instructors at the Landhotel Altes Zollhaus, can be found here.
