Guarding Against the Risks: The Right Way to Practice the Wim Hof Method

The Wim Hof Method has come a very long way. Back when Wim pioneered controlled breathing and cold exposure as we know it today, he was met with everything from raised eyebrows to outright mockery. Fast forward to 2024 and Wim Hof is a household name, ice and breathing enthusiasts run into the millions, and scientific interest is flourishing.

In the years since we’ve gained a tremendous amount of experience, and through blood, sweat & ice cubes built what is universally recognized as the premier specialized breathing and cold therapy brand worldwide.

With the growing popularity of cold showers and breathing techniques, the number of savvy entrepreneurs hopping on board the hype train has grown in step. The market is flooded with breathing apps & websites, and these days you can even get your own custom ice barrel.

As an organization whose mission is to bring happiness, strength and health to as many people as possible, we couldn’t be happier to see others aid in that quest, in one form or another. Wim’s vision is coming to fruition before our very eyes, and that’s a beautiful thing.

But what often gets overlooked amid this booming wellness craze are the decades of experience through which Wim gained his insights, and the attendant caution with which he teaches his techniques.

The Wim Hof Method is built on years of know-how, relationships with experts, and countless rounds of feedback from practitioners like you. We have a deep understanding of the delicate interaction between our bodies and Mother Nature, and the dangers that arise when she is not respected.

Two years ago, a tragic incident occurred when a girl drowned in her family’s pool. Blame was directed at the Wim Hof Method, resulting in a lawsuit against the company and Wim Hof himself. During the case and the surrounding media coverage, it became clear that many third parties, inspired by the Wim Hof Method, have started teaching breathing and cold exposure techniques — sometimes directly under the Wim Hof Method banner and often illegitimately associated with our company — without implementing proper safety measures. Although the lawsuit has been dismissed, the situation has highlighted the increasing prevalence of these techniques being practiced without the necessary understanding and precautions.

Modified breathing and controlled exposure to cold are powerful tools, yet they can be wielded and promoted by whomever happens across them. Many self-styled coaches offer breathing classes and retreats without the requisite training, and their websites routinely lack proper safety guidelines. In part this speaks to a responsibility on our side to distinguish the Wim Hof Method brand; to enforce our trademark and to help inform others about safety protocols.

Meanwhile we ask you to please inform those around you interested in breathing techniques and cold therapy, about the importance of learning the Wim Hof Method through official channels and from Wim Hof Method Certified Instructors, where you know that you’re in expert hands. There is real and profound risk to the indiscriminate practice of these techniques, and you want your loved ones to be safe and healthy.

In order to give yourself the best possible training and results, and minimize any adverse outcomes, we urge everyone interested in the Wim Hof Method to verify that they are getting the real deal. The best way to do that is to book through our official website: www.wimhofmethod.com. There you can find a wide range of Wim Hof Method workshops and events, each taught by Wim Hof Method Certified instructors who have gone through a rigorous Academy training program and are intimately familiar with the safety standards and protocols.

In addition to these workshops and events, we also offer free tools to help you get started on your journey. Our free Mini Class and the online Breathing Bubble are excellent resources for learning the Wim Hof Method. These tools not only introduce you to the techniques but also provide essential safety guidelines to ensure you practice the method correctly and safely.

Stay informed, stay safe, and experience the Wim Hof Method under our expert guidance. Together, we can continue to spread the transformative power of Wim’s method while maintaining the highest standards of safety and authenticity.

All the love, all the power.