At the beginning of August, a collaboration between Surf Camp Egypt and Soul Sanctuary Cairo took place on the North Coast. This unique event centered around the practice of ice bath meditation, offering participants an opportunity to delve into a transformative experience that combines the power of cold immersion with the profound benefits of meditation. The question that represents itself here is why? Why would anyone deliberately put their body through Iced water to breathe? It’s difficult to breathe just thinking of it yet people who tried it think otherwise.
Ice bath meditation is an ancient practice that has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to promote physical and mental well-being. The concept involves immersing oneself in icy water while simultaneously engaging in a meditative state through breath work. This combination creates a powerful synergy that enhances focus, resilience, and overall mindfulness.
The shock of cold water stimulates the release of endorphins and adrenaline, leading to increased mental clarity and alertness. As participants immerse themselves in the icy depths with a temperature of 2, they are encouraged to focus on their breath and let go of any distractions or negative thoughts. This heightened state of awareness can lead to improved concentration levels long after the ice bath experience. It is also used as a stress reliever.
Omar Sobky the founder of Surf Camp Egypt told us how it all started. Sobky was fascinated by Wim Hof, dubbed the iceman, who held the Guinness World Record for swimming under ice. His fascination pushed him to start taking ice baths at home on a regular basis, which he found very satisfying so as an athlete he found an opportunity and took it. He soon got in contact with Soul Sanctuary for the North Coast event. The event was a huge success due to the immediate effects people experienced within the first few dips. Sobky said that participants should aim for 3 minutes to get the best results; the first 30 seconds fighting the pain and the remaining time letting their body and mind synchronize. According to him when you’re done, there will remain pain in certain areas in your body, these areas are the ones you should focus on.
“Despite the pain and shock, my body was feeling my brain was calm and in control I felt as if I was working to sync my body and mind. Especially the last bit when I plunged with my whole head it was rejuvenating,” is the opinion of one of the skeptics who actually tried it. An additional benefit of having an ice bath on the beach is not only the fresh air and exceptional view but also the dip in the sea afterward, which was described as “swimming in hot tea.”
As more individuals seek holistic approaches to well-being, ice bath meditation offers a unique opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. Mind over Body is the motto of the experience.
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