Sleep and breath are arguably the two most important nutrients to sustaining human life. Sadly, both are often neglected in the conversation of spiritual health, shunted to the more tangible physical realm. As we get older, we seemingly forget how to do one or both of these activities well, and we therefore need to relearn them by unlearning some of our poor habits that have created a less than perfect environment for our exceptional spirit. Today, is your invitation to reclaim your breath.
“Spiritual practice is not just sitting and meditation. Practice is
looking, thinking, touching, drinking, eating and talking.
Every act, every breath, and every step can be practice and
can help us to become more ourselves.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
In July of 1995, on the first day of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, Wim Hof’s (b. 1959) life was about to change forever. Hof was a 35-year old husband and father of four when his wife jumped off her parent’s eighth story apartment balcony, ending her life. After a long battle with schizophrenia, Olaya Hof’s death was the catalyst for her husband’s life purpose.
“She was the love of my life,” Hof recounted in an episode of The Rich Roll Podcast. “Grief is something very abstract. Whatever is inside you can’t console it. You have to go deep. I began to look into nature. I found relief of a broken heart in the freezing water. Your mind shuts down and is just there, breaking the loop of possible emotional deep grief. My kids made me survive; nature healed me.”
Combining cold exposure, breathwork and meditation (which Hof calls “commitment”), Hof began to renew his life and simultaneously garner the attention of the world’s research community. His practice, known as the Wim Hof Method, has been shown to reduce stress, chronic pain and inflammation, improve sleep, recovery, creativity, focus and mental clarity.
Hof is the holder of 26 Guinness World Records including the fastest barefoot half marathon on snow. He reached the ‘death zone’ of Everest – an altitude of 7,200 metres – in nothing but shorts and ice boots. At the time of print his world-record ice bath duration sits at 1 hour, 52 minutes and 42 seconds.
Generally speaking, human beings can go roughly three weeks without food, three days without water and three minutes without oxygen. Whilst Hof can hold his breath for 10 minutes, the point is that oxygen is more important than water, which is more important than food. Sadly, society gets this inversely twisted. We tend to overeat, are chronically dehydrated and pay little attention to breathing properly. Many of us still believe that breathing has no impact on our level of health.
Breathing practices have been part of many cultures for centuries, and hundreds exist today. In Indigenous Australian culture, circular breathing is used to master playing the didgeridoo. Whether it’s pranayama, Buteyko breathing or the Wim Hof Method – all practices have their place.
Some focus on deep diaphragmatic breathing, pursed lips or alternate nostril breathing. Your job is to breathe in a way that supports your exceptional life. You don’t need to be like Wim Hof and learn how to hold your breath for 10 minutes. Instead it’s vital to recognise when shallow breathing appears (often under stress). It’s important to develop the art of deep breathing and use it as a lifestyle, a stress reduction technique and opportunity to connect with your limitless spirit.
Marcus Pearce is a longevity and life design strategist and the author of Your Exceptional Life. You can take his free Exceptional Life Quiz here. He also hosts the podcast 100 Not Out: Mastering The Art of Ageing Well, and spent September exploring the European Blue Zones of Ikaria and Sardinia.
You can receive the ebook and audiobook of Your Exceptional Life for free here.
As for all things relating to your health speak with your GP or a relevant medical professional. For all your financial health contact PSK on (02) 8365 8300 or visit psk.com.au
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