From Barefoot in the Grass to Ice Baths: My Journey into the Cold

My 1st Ice Bath - Wim Hof Fundamentals Cliifs of Moher Retreats

It all started with a book—The Power of the Cold by Niall O’Murchu. Whose approach to the cold was gentle yet profound, and something about it really resonated with me.

I began with the basics: walking barefoot in the grass, turning the tap to cold at the end of my showers, and slowly letting myself experience the cold, bit by bit. There was no rush, only curiosity and a deep respect for the cold as a teacher.

The book that led me back too the cold!

Using the cold as a force for good.

One of the key takeaways from the book was staying connected to the breath during any cold exposure. That simple act of conscious breathing became my anchor, and over time, I began to notice shifts—not just physically, but emotionally and energetically.

From showers to the sea, from lakes to deeper plunges, I gradually built my tolerance. But more importantly, I built trust in myself.

Through my own work with Polyvagal Inspired Yoga, I’ve come to understand how safety and choice in the body are foundational. When I brought these elements together—Wim Hof breathing, cold exposure and Polyvagal work—together, something clicked.

I wasn’t just enduring the cold; I was meeting it from a place of empowerment and surrender, a profoundly yin experience. The resilience I’ve cultivated through this practice is not about bracing against the discomfort, but about expanding my window of presence within it. Letting go and leaving something behind in the cold.

For a long time, I had my eye on the Cliffs of Moher retreat. I had been following Michelle Riordon, a Wim Hof Level 3 instructor and yoga teacher, and felt drawn to her approach.

This past weekend, I finally went—and it was incredible. I took part in the Wim Hof Fundamentals Workshop April 6th, led by Michelle and Alex, deepened everything I had been exploring.

Cliffs of Moher Retreats - Wim Hof Fundamentals Course

Now, I find myself looking at how my Polyvagal practice and the Wim Hof Method can intertwine. I see it like a rung on the Polyvagal ladder: first, creating safety and choice in the body through breath, movement, and co-regulation, and then consciously engaging the sympathetic nervous system through cold exposure. The breathwork, of course, bridges both—guiding us back into a parasympathetic flow.

This weekend has left me inspired and invigorated. Thank you, Michelle and Alex, for holding such a powerful space. I’m excited to keep exploring this beautiful intersection—where ancient nervous system wisdom meets the raw, elemental power of the cold.

Much love Xxx

Muriel