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Applying The Wim Hof Method To BJJ/Grappling

Applying The Wim Hof Method To BJJ/Grappling

Written by Christophe ‘Pank’ Levy, BJJ and Luta Livre black belt and head instructor of Raca Luta Academy in Paris, France.

You may have already heard of this breathing method that many people are talking about for the past few years thanks to the super-human performance of its founder: Wim Hof. This Dutchman swims in the Antarctic, rides the Kilimanjaro in shorts, and looks more like a Marvel superhero than a regular human being.

At my BJJ/Luta Livre academy, I am lucky to have the only French Instructor currently trained in this method, Sébastien Payet. He also practices hypnosis and seeks to develop the mental preparation of athletes and more specifically martial artists. He agreed to do a seminar of a few hours at the academy for my team.

The Hof system focuses on three key elements:

1. COLD THERAPY

The cold is your warm friend. Exposing your body to it in the right way starts a cascade of health benefits, including the buildup of brown adipose tissue and subsequent fat loss, reduced inflammation to facilitate a fortified immune system, balanced hormone levels, improved sleep quality, and the production of endorphins— the feel-good chemicals in the brain that naturally elevate your mood.

2. BREATHING
We’re always breathing, yet we’re mostly unaware of its tremendous potential. Heightened oxygen levels hold a treasure trove of benefits, and the specialized breathing technique of the Wim Hof Method unearths them all: more energy, reduced stress levels, and an augmented immune response to swiftly deal with pathogens.

3. COMMITMENT
The third pillar is the foundation of the other two: both cold exposure and conscious breathing require patience and dedication in order to be fully mastered. Armed with focus and determination you are ready to explore and eventually master your own body and mind.

In a dojo, it is not possible to work on the cold, but the other two pillars can easily be practiced.

The breathing method is simple enough to put in place and possibly allow several effects: relaxation, better recovery, listening to the body or an ability to change one’s state of mind . For us and especially the competitors, would you not you like to go from a state of calm to a beast mode ? Or conversely manage stress by steering yourself into a zen state?

This method makes it possible to set up anchors, that is to say triggers, which make it possible to change the physical and emotional states . The guys experienced new sensations, tingling, deep relaxations, powerful body movements. A return to a more instinctive, more primitive world . In addition, you will find important benefits on your health.

I invite you to discover this method either with online training https://www.wimhofmethod.com or by inviting Sébastien: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/instructor/sebastienpayet or https://www.oserrevergrand.fr for a seminar for you.

Osu,

Pank