Swimming in the ice | Feeling the present moment and facing yourself~

I have always loved the cold: the icy wind towards the end of october, when winter's breath turns everything to glass, the snow, and icy air in my lungs.
For me, the cold has something fascinating and magical about it. It is chance, to face yourself and become stronger than you think you are - to get to know yourself on a new level. It is almost, as if these icy temperatures are a reflection of our own selves.
How we react in uncomfortable situations, how we deal with stress and how we take unexpected turningpoints - all this is reflected in our attitude towards the cold.

Taking a cold shower. For many, this is something that is almost unthinkable, in a world that is built to fit our comfort zone.
When, however, do we ever experience adventures from within that zone? When do we thrive, while being comfortable and cozy?
There is a beautiful quote that says: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone" - so why not live a little?
Becomming friends with the cold takes persistency - it is just like workout; both for your body, and for your mind, as it is first and foremost a matter of your mindset.

For a long time, I've only known icebaths from being an athlete and I still perform them about once a weak to help my recovery after an intense workout.
That there are people, who step into frozen lakes and glaciers for other resons tha just physical regeneration, has somewhat opened my eyes a little. Just like most, I've grown up with the the firm belief, that "swimming outsie in winter is something you just don't do."
Many doctrines from our childhood still influence us subconsciously, sometimes even creating a fear we didn't know we had. It is stopping us from making our own experiences and through them seeing, what we are truly capable of. Breaking these fears is liberating.

As you step into the cold water, you barely feel the cold after a few seconds. I don't freze - not even goosebumps - which may sounds paradox, but as a matter of fact; my entire body feels warm. 
What I love the most about bathing in icy water however, is the way how it imediately brings you right into the present moment. It is a feeling of awareness torwards yourself and your own body, that at least I usually only have during meditation.

For me personally, bathing in a frozen lake almost feels spiritual. When the first rays of the sun (or in my case: raindrops) gleam through the bare branches of the trees, crisp and cold air and singing birds all around you, as you submerge into the water, you are attentive for even the smalles of noises. this creates a unique feeling of peace.
And once you step out of the cold again, it almost feels like you've become anew; as if all the stress and heaviness of the days past have been washed away and, frozen under the surface of the lake.
Ice swims are very energizing, usually I have to keep myself together to not go right into the cold water again imediately.

Personally, I love icebaths. Fully surrendering to the cold and allowing it to embrace you in a frosty hug, whilst feeling your own warmth - it is wonderful. It is about so much more than just about hardening yourself or regeneration.


Jonna Jinton - has definitely inspired me with her beautiful  Video about ice swims, to just take my icebaths outside and was kind of a good veto against to my inner dogma about "going into the ice = no." that I didn't know existed until that moment.

At this point, I also want to mention, that I am already used to cold water and low temperatures. I would not recomment to anybody, to step into a frozen lake without properly knowing your body and knowing how it reacts in situations like this (and especially not to do it on your own).

For all who want to learn more, Wim Hof, the Iceman, has a lot of further information about icebath.

Have you ever swam in the ice? And if no - would you?