So you can hack the heat, but can you conquer the cold? Cold water therapy could just be the side-serving of mental resilience training that every hot yogi doesn’t know they need!
The intensity, the focus, the breath. It’s all there. That mind-strengthening hot-room recipe we all know and love, just in a different context. Winter swimming.
Imagine it now, crisp azure sky, bare, gnarly trees, stark against the rich blue; stretching up like wintery skeletons reaching for the heavens. Fresh breeze on exposed flesh. Just you and your tiny spandex, just like in the yoga room. Hearing muffled by the two swimming hats pulled down over the ears, adding a calm, almost comforting touch. Butterflies fluttering in the stomach with each step towards the turquoise water of the lido. A mere 7 or 8 degrees. Positively invigorating.
As the first foot slides in, icy waters lapping up the ankle, your brain slips into hyper-alert mode. Each step invites the biting cold further up the body and all you can do is look forward, steady the gaze, breathe out by mouth. Long, steady exhalations, breathing yourself okay, the breath there to sooth you, just like in the hot room, only difference there it’s never by mouth!
The moment comes when the shoulders must go under and the swimming begins, armpits momentarily screaming at their first embrace with the cold. The first length is all about just getting to the end, slow and steady, whilst the cold shock runs ravage through the body, making the heart pump faster, the breath more shallow, the sting of a million tiny knives all over the skin. But then it all fades away. By the time you turn for your second length, the body is numb, the cold just a refreshing edge, making the body feel alive with sensation. This is not about the swimming, and a leisurely three or four lengths, ‘old fogie style’ – breaststroke with head firmly fixed above water, is enough. It’s about full immersion. Full immersion in the moment, physically, mentally, emotionally. Very much like in a hot 26/2 yoga class.
Yes, it’s cold but you’re held by the water, in the open air, body and mind on fire in the face of the cold. Two, three, four lengths, whatever, they say being in the water roughly ‘one minute per degree’ is about right. So you just swim, look at the sky, the trees, the way the light reflects off the water, feel the cold licking your body all over, yet it’s enjoyable, delightful even. You are in total control. When you emerge from the water, skin bright red and slightly smarting, a rush of endorphins rewards your gallant efforts. This feeling radiates off all the other swimmers as they quickly change and clutch flasks of hot tea, hot water bottles snugly tucked up jumpers. Smiles, and happy exchanges all round. The race is really on to dry and dress before The Shakes kick in, your body’s defence mechanism to warm the body. The body continues to cool for twenty minutes after full submersion – afterdrop – meaning you actually feel colder after the swim, hence the need for hot tea and a hotter water bottle.
But afterwards you feel great! Which explains why it’s surprisingly busy, pretty much all of the time, with so many regulars, of a good age too, on a daily basis. It’s clear they have been on to the secret for much longer than us younger Wim Hof alumni.
So the secret, why it’s so good, well where to start? Cardiovascular benefits, stronger immunity, great to ward off depression and anxiety; cold water exposure even protects against the development of Alzheimer’s in later life. There are also incredible benefits in regards to brown fat activation, the healthy fat that burns energy and boosts metabolism.
Not to mention all the links to mindfulness and effects on the prefrontal cortex. It is a very interesting topic to spend a little bit of time researching and reading about!
And why are we reading about this on a yoga blog? Well, you know how they say that the hot 26/2 series attracts a lot of Type A personalities – I think cold water swimming provides that same exhilarating challenge that we Type A’s thrive off. As a long standing 26/2 aficionado, cold water swimming has become my other thing, that I hold up there with my hot yoga. That thing that you just gotta’ get up and do, every day, no excuses, just go there and do it. You know it’s going to be hard but that you will feel fantastic afterwards, and that’s why we do it. Well, cold water swimming is the same.
I’ve been every day for most of November and nearly all of December and it definitely gets easier, but is certainly isn’t easy, you always get the cold shock, it just wears off quicker. The commitment to cycling to the nearby lido, every day, rain or shine, has been great, as every day I have done something I have felt challenged in and proud of myself for. I bought an exceedingly great value, winter season ticket and plan to just go every day. Just like my hot 26/2 practice. Every day, endure the heat, eat the cold.
Cold Eater, that’s my ‘swim name’, another element of the lido comradery. We are three in our cold water gang, and it really has brought a source of fun and what I can only describe as ‘bants’ to our lives. Solo swims are a whole mood, but group swims are just fun and elation. Going through the cold shock together, encouraging and supporting one another when needed, and other times laughing and feeling powerful together! Leaving the lido with ya’ pals, feeling happy and satisfied is a great feeling. Such a great hobby to share with friends.
Solo though. For me, that’s where the real therapy is. Like when I am standing on my mat, my own eyes in the mirror, complete focus, that’s how those solo lido dips are. There have been times where this year has ruffled me and I have gone to the lido and swam under a black stormy sky, and everything else just melted away, into the cold. Just like my first ever 26/2 hot yoga class. That same feeling. Intensity demanding full attention. There have been other days, where beautiful skies and dazzling sunshine has brought joy to the swim, and a lifting of spirits in that way. Whatever the weather, the lido has been there for me.
Other than my personal experiences and evident passion for cold water therapy - the mental and physical benefits are scientifically proven and bountiful (like I just said, go look it up!) and it’s truly an act of self-love – something you just do because it’s so good for you.
So come and explore this world. Start with Wim Hof. Start with 30 second cold showers. Start with full immersion. However you begin, just start. It’s one of those things that at first the mental resistance is greater than the physical experience. You just use the breath, breath your way through it, get to the numbing stage and bob’s your uncle, you’ll be enjoying a ten minute cold shower in no time.
There is so much more that could be mentioned here but to not bore you further, there are plenty resources to learn more about cold water therapy and open water swimming. Including, the benefits, the physical reactions in the body, afterdrop, tips for embarking on cold water and tips on warming up afterwards, Wim Hof, and so much more.
If you are local to South London and want to get into CWS but fear the first solo dip, you can catch me at Brockwell Lido every day, and you can happily join my cold water gang. Well when lockdown is over anyway – until then the cold shower it is!!
