Do you know how to breathe during yoga? Breathing is a very important part of yoga, which unfortunately is often overlooked. Yoga should be about creating a harmony between body, mind, and breath. Instead, many people focus on keeping up with their yoga class and forget about proper breathing. As a result, yoga sessions can become exhausting, while they should be revitalizing. Are you feeling physically and mentally drained after an intense yoga session? Chances are that you are not breathing properly. The Wim Hof Method can help you find your breath. Thousands of people all over the world have already used the method to improve their breathing, and ultimately their lives. You can watch some of their testimonials here.

Most people breathe shallowly during yoga and therefore do not reach their full breathing capacity. Some people even unconsciously hold their breaths, because they are stressed and tensed up. Pranayama is a specific form of yoga that focuses on breathing. It is about distributing life force, or prana, throughout your body by controlling your breath. Below are three types of pranayama.

Ujjayji. Ujjayji is the most popular form of Pranayama. It is about breathing in and out through your nose, while directing your breath over the back of your throat. The result is a soft hissing sound. Practicing Ujjayji slows down your breathing. It also keeps your mind from wandering, as you are constantly focused on the way you are breathing.

Mula Bandha. Mula Bandha resides on the intersection of pranayama and meditation, and is used to hold on to as much prana as possible, by locking the lower regions of your body. Doing so requires you to contract certain muscles at the base of your pelvis.

Kumbhaka. Kumbhaka is a state between inhalation and exhalation. It is about retention of breath and can be practiced with full lungs (Antara Kumbhaka) and with empty lungs (Bahya Kumbhaka). Practicing Kumbhaka will increase the oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide exchange inside of your lungs.

Proper breathing allows life force to spread evenly throughout your body. It helps your body recover and it keeps your mind at ease. The breathing exercises that are incorporated into the Wim Hof Method consist of deep and rhythmic inhalations and exhalations, and of holding your breath for a specific amount of time. These particular exercises are designed to induce a short stress response on your body, which makes you more resilient towards everyday stressors, and give you control over your mind, over your body, and ultimately over your immune system.

You can practice the Wim Hof Method by yourself with the help of our Fundamentals online video course. During the videos, Wim teaches you everything you need to know about his method and how you can incorporate its principles into your daily life. The online video course enables you to practice the method at your own pace and at a place and time that suits you. This means that even people with very stressful and demanding lives, such as professional sports athletes and celebrities, can benefit from the Wim Hof Method.

The Wim Hof Method is a combination of three powerful pillars, which are breathing technique, focus, and controlled exposure to cold. Together, these pillars have the power to transform your life and to make you a happier, healthier and stronger person. People who have practiced the method report many benefits such as better sleep, more energy, faster recovery from physical exercise, increased willpower, and relief from symptoms related to diseases such as arthritis, COPD, and fibromyalgia. The Wim Hof Method has even sparked the attention of a growing number of scientists, who have begun to unravel the physical mechanisms behind the method. You can read about the results of their research here.

‹

Tineke, The Netherlands

I have severe arthritis in my left hip. By implementing the Wim Hof Method in my daily life, I can deal with this without getting surgery. I love Wim’s purity. His coaching inspires me and gives me energy. I’m almost 66 years old and by practicing the Wim Hof Method I feel much more...

Albert, The Netherlands

For 12 years now I have had rheumatism. Thanks to the Wim Hof Method I have been able to halve the amount of anti-inflammatory drugs. My goal is to completely stop the use of anti-inflammatory drugs after finishing the video course.

Aivar, Estonia

I am 52 years old, and after 10 weeks of the Wim Hof Method I am in the best shape I have ever been. I did 30 push-ups as a test before I started the course, and when I finished I did 100 push-ups for the first time in my life. The Wim Hof Method gives you a good mood, it’s addictive!

Monic, The Netherlands

It’s only been 4 weeks since I started, but the results are remarkable! Thank you from the heart for changing my life, my health, and my understanding about my own power and the influence I have on this. I’m looking forward to a nice cold winter in the Netherlands.

Mino, Germany

Learning Wim’s method is like studying from one of nature’s best students. My life long fear of cold is history. I now fully enjoy cold immersions, but the benefits are not limited to cold. I am now a better person and a happier being. I smile when facing life challenges.

Gregor

After 8 months of daily Hoffing, puffing and cold showers I can claim to be cured of my 5 year burnout. Not having had a single cold or flu, my sore knee is working perfectly again, which was very painful the last 2 years. It is like a miracle, and I’m really grateful that our paths crossed.

Franco, USA

Wim I hope to train with you someday. I love to jump into that cold water and climb that mountain with you. Your method has truly helped me with psoriatic arthritis. I am no longer taking Humira injections for my symptoms. I am controlling it with breathing, cold showers and ice baths.

Matthew, Australia

I would have paid $10,000 for this, but that would not be enough because this has changed my life. I feel like I have taken Valium yet am supercharged. As a clinical psychologist my days can be very stressful. There is a stillness inside me now, and what I am really amazed by is the peace lasts.

Per Kristian, United Kingdom

After 3 weeks of daily practicing my medication (Naproxen) for long-standing sciatica has been cut by 80%, and my arm pain and 'pins and needles' following a neck injury 50 years ago has been halved!

Arthur, USA

I got anxiety 2+ years ago, and have had panic attacks every day since. Medicine helped a little. I came across your videos and started to walk my 2 miles a day in only a t-shirt at 20F degrees. Within 2 weeks my anxiety went away! I found it to be a miracle.

James, USA

I’ve had astonishing results battling addiction with the Wim Hof Method. It has saved my life and is the only thing that worked on getting clean and healthy. I go ahead and get my suffering over with in the cold showers, so I don't have to suffer throughout the day. Pretty good trade to...

Georg, Germany

Cardiac and respiratory arrest began my life. Heart defect and cleft palate pushed diseases. Depression, lack of self-efficacy, and post traumatic stress disorder followed. The Wim Hof Method frees me: I am twenty-nine years old, and I love to live. Thank you!

Grant, Australia

I was born with Spina Bifida, and was told I would end up in a wheelchair. After incorporating the Wim Hof Method into my daily life I have begun to see results in my pain levels and athleticism. I am no longer looking down the barrel of becoming a paraplegic, and I attribute that in part to the...

Raúl, The Netherlands

From the 90s to 2012 I developed hayfever symptoms and had to take daily medications in order to cope. The effect of these medications only lasted for several hours. By using the Wim Hof Method training daily, my body has conquered hayfever symptoms since 2013.

Benjamin

I started the Wim Hof method in October of 2018, and now the holes I had in my brain are gone. My neurosurgeon was so impressed by the scans that he told me I don't have to come back anymore. I take this as proof that this method works to regenerate brain tissue.

›

About The Method

About us

Service

Updates

Connect With Wim

#wimhofmethod

Download the app

Breathe yoga

How to breathe during yoga

Breathing exercises of the Wim Hof Method

Practice the Wim Hof Method

The three pillars

Wim Hof Method References