It took me four years to enjoy an ice bath. Many folks, especially if they experience ice bath and sauna in our Breath & Exposure program, enjoy them right away. Yet, I resisted, complained, whined, and barely tolerated them for years.
I can remember the moment it changed for me.
I was at the same house every other struggle-fest-ice-bath took place in, but this time something changed. I decided to (for the first time) let my back rest against the back of the tub. It was like I was mimicking being relaxed. While half my brain doubted it would even do anything but be more cold, I was surprised when I actually felt more relaxed!
I fought so hard with my own internal resistance to the cold that I literally was working in the ice to sit up the whole time. I literally manifested more suffering.
From that moment on, I was able to enjoy the ice bath experience. It was wild. I can’t help but be slapped across the face with the classic maxim:
What you resist persists.
Surely, ice baths are not the only things I have stubbornly resisted, but the metaphor is cleanest so we’re talking about it. The point is, resistance comes up for all of us. Author Steven Pressfield articulates the power of resistance as clear as any. To him it’s a universal human experience and it’s not just with regards to large tubs of ice. In many ways, our highest work is to acknowledge and manage our resistances.
That said, what are you resisting?
12/22/22 WOD
DEUCE ATHLETICS GPP
Complete 4 rounds for quality of:
10 Seated Lat Pull Downs
15 Banded KB Swing
6 Landmine Rotation
Then, EMOM 12
Min 1: 6 Fat Bar Deadlifts (AHAP)
Min 2: 12 Ball Slams
Min 3: 8 KB Push Presses
DEUCE GARAGE GPP
Make 3 attempts at a max handstand hold..
Then, complete 3 rounds for quality:
4 Slide-to-Hollow
4-6 Wall Walks
12-15 Partner Resisted Hollow Rocks
Then, AMRAP 21
400m Run
50’ 1-Arm Overhead Walking Lunges (50/30)
10 Chest-to-Bar Pull Ups