The Wim Hof Method

I found it important to honor Wim Hof, and share his beautiful method with you. The things this man has accomplished are worth mentioning. Not only because they are contemporary proof of the inner power in humans, but also because his teachings and conclusions dovetail perfectly with much of what is explained in this book.

Wim Hof is an extreme athlete and educator, noted for his ability to withstand extreme cold and high altitude. He attributes his powers to what is known as the Wim Hof Method (WHM).

His system combines breathing techniques, mental focus and cold exposure. He has been able to withstand long hours submerged in ice, and marathons above the Artic Circle. More importantly, he is training others how to do this, taking groups of people on expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro, in shorts.

Wim Hof’s work is of particular importance for this book, because it shows that what was once thought impossible, is now scientifically proven to be true.

Perhaps the most important finding by Wim Hof, and the scientists that studied him, is that his method can help us control our autonomic nervous system (1) The Ice Man, as he is often called, says that his program can help ease symptoms of illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, clinical depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and cancer. (2)

Now days, Wim Hof is a loved and admired teacher, who has earned the respect of the scientific community. Not long ago, however, he was ridiculed for his practice and beliefs.

It was his determination and clarity, that pushed him to achieve all those feats that made him famous. Now he is using that fame to reach millions of people and improve their lives, including my own.

I have experienced the benefits of the WHM firsthand, and can assure that few things are as effective for energizing me and getting me feeling good. Dancing and singing are up there too.

The key part about the WHM is that it is heavily based on the practice of cold therapy. This is interesting because, as we will learn in following sections, cold temperatures are correlated with alkaline reactions in our body. In fact, if we measure the pH of water at 0°C we find it to be 7.47, but the same water at 100°C will have a pH of 6.14. (3) This will become more relevant when we talk about detoxification with fruit based diets.

The WHM is useful to us because it not only helps us stay warm in winter, but also gives us hope and faith that fruit based diets are the way to a healthier life on earth. It took decades of training before The Ice Man could achieve what he has done. He went through multiple periods of trial and error, refining his approach and techniques.

This is the same process that raw vegans and fruit enthusiasts must go through. As we refine our understanding and test our theories, we gain knowledge that can be passed on to future generations, for further development. From our efforts and sacrifices, others will benefit.

We are living in a society where things that were impossible, are now seen as the norm. For most of my life, I avoided cold exposure. Now, I can get down to my boxers and go roll in the snow. My house-mates love it, they think I am nuts, but I know how good it feels. Few things compare to the sense of freedom, and the empowerment that comes from being comfortable in the cold. I am sure more people will continue to join this movement, and experience the benefits of the WHM.

Previous Section:

Acknowledgments

Back to Book Menu

Next Section:
Acknowledgments