Wim Hof Breathwork for Resiliency & Immune Health | Ep 173

When we think of stress release we often think of relaxing techniques, and while these are beneficial, today Erin talks to Resiliency Coach Robert van der Heyden about why the Wim Hof style of breathwork is beneficial from an immune and overall health standpoint. Robert and Erin discuss how this invigorating style of breathing compares to others, benefits to gut and immune health, cultivating more presence through breathwork, the benefits of nose & belly breathing vs mouth breathing, plus Robert leads us through a 15min breathwork practice that you can do anywhere.

Listen in as Robert explains why the goal of this breathwork besides inoculating your immune system, upticking oxygen, and helping you transition from fight-or-flight state to a more parasympathetic state, is to create space for yourself to breathe.

Robert will be joining us again next week to talk about cold exposure, so be sure to tune in to gain more tools to help support your immune system!

This episode originally aired April, 2020

In this episode:

-Plan for podcast for the next several weeks [1:59]

-Background to Robert and what is resiliency [4:29]

-Why all stress isn’t bad [6:46]

-Creating resiliency with a daily practice [9:13]

-Benefits of holding your breath + utilizing different patterns of breathing [12:36]

-Stimulating vs relaxing breath for acute anxiety [17:00]

-Enhancing vagal tone (and why that matters for gut health + inflammation) [20:27]

-Why nitric oxide is important (for viral bacteria & more) [22:49]

-Parameters of practice: things to know before you breathe [24:18]

-A Breathwork session led by Robert begins [29:43]

-Where to find Robert (note: some links are no longer active and not listed below) [44:26]

Resources mentioned:

Eat to Achieve™ (Support your immune system with whole foods - start any time!) https://www.erinholthealth.com/eat-to-achieve

Follow Robert on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askrobertvdh/

Robert van der Heyden’s upcoming WimHof workshops: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/instructors/robertvan-der-heyden

Robert’s YouTube on resiliency and parenting: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG7OgYSw6L9AWUq0m0Xb2mw

Follow Erin on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/erinholthealth/

Bio-Kult Boosted probiotic supplement (save 15% on your order with code FUNK15) https://www.bio-kult.com/bio-kult-boosted/p9

Coyote River Hemp Co CBD products (save 10% & free shipping on your order with code FUNK10) https://coyoteriverhempco.com/

Organifi supplement powder (Use code FUNK to save 20% + free shipping all Sept!) https://organifi.com/FUNK

Related episodes:

140: Somatic Healing & Breathwork with Victoria Albina https://www.erinholthealth.com/funktional-nutrition-podcast/2021/1/25/episode-140-somatic-healing-amp-breathwork-with-victoria-albina

123: Creating Your Morning Ritual https://www.erinholthealth.com/funktional-nutrition-podcast/2020/11/3/episode-123-creating-your-morning-ritual