To mark the conclusion of 2024, I've been taking part in a polar plunge at Nosen Lake in Norway. I am volunteering at a Yoga retreat center in Nosen and here ice-bathing is a common practice that happens regularly as part of the awakening of your awareness and connection to the depth of your being.
Why endure the icy shock of diving into a lake, in the middle of nature?
It turns out that ice baths have great benefits for those brave enough to take the freezing plunge. It raises serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain! It says that it enhance your immune system, induce a positive stress response and strengthening your resilience to negative stress. Ice bathing acts as a pain reliever when adrenaline and dopamine are released and provide an energy boost that generally enhances our alertness.
On our fifth day of practicing yoga and meditating at the Centre, ice bathing was introduced as part of the program. Similar to meditation and yoga, this activity helps us establish a profound connection between the body and mind.
The weather was cold, yet there was no wind, making it a truly delightful day and a wonderful way to conclude the year 2024. It was my first experience walking on a frozen lake. Seeing this vast expanse is very mesmerizing!
When I plunged into the icy water, the initial shock provoked a stress response, resulting in rapid, shallow breathing and intense shaking. I never shacked so much in my life! However, by consciously redirecting attention to my breath and adopting a slow, deep breathing pattern, and with the help of Hari who is an excellent ashtanga yoga teacher and with a calming voice, I was able to counteract this instinctual reaction after only 1 minute. This intentional focus on breathing acted as a strong anchor, allowing me to calm down my mind and tapping into a feeling of inner peace besides the intense physical sensations of cold.
As I regulate my breath, my body starts to adapt to the cold, and a remarkable transformation begins to occur. I entered into a very deep state of awareness and presence.
I felt in a state of well being, I could connect deeply to the rythm of my heart and enter into a “flow” state, reaching optimal focus. In this state, I experienced a loss of self-consciousness and a deep immersion in the present moment, allowing me to transcend the discomfort of the cold and connect with my inner resilience.
This combination of breath control and physical challenge not only improves mental clarity but also fosters emotional stability—because once you've voluntarily immersed yourself in freezing water, it's like natures's reset button, shocking you into a state of clarity (or at least making you temporarily forget about your other worries).
It is an effective way to master discomfort, one shiver at a time. it's the art of looking completely serene while your inner monologue is screaming, "why did i do this to myself?!" But with time, you start to harness the power of breath, navigating the icy depths of both the water and your mind. A harmonious state of flow that resonates with the principles found in both meditation and yoga.
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