Intermittent Hypoxic Training
Intermittent hypoxic training was first tested and developed in the 1930’s by the Soviet Union. But breathwork has been practised for thousands of years. Pranyama and Taoist breathing are the most well know forms.
The power of the breath
IHT ( Intermittent Hypoxic Training) is a positive stress that can improve human performance by way of adaptation to reduce oxygen for brief periods of time (more info below)
On a personal note I was hospitalised with asthma when I was young. Swimming was amazingly helpful for me due to the restricted breathing necessary to swim well which is why swimming is reccomended for asthmatic children.
(Lifeguard note: Every child should learn how to swim)
In more recent years, underwater rock running has been popularised by Hawaiian big wave surfers which is what we are practising in the video (we filmed a segment on this for Bondi Rescue many years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB51frpOa5I&index=4&t=0s&list=PL9EC38F8BCCABCEBD
Safety notes!!! ALWAYS do this with a buddy, Shallow water blackout is unlikely, but possible so you need a buddy.
I have also been following Laird Hamilton who is a big wave surfer and has trained with Wim Hof and Paul Chek who is also one of my teachers.
https://www.lairdhamilton.com
https://chekinstitute.com/paul-chek/
https://www.wimhofmethod.com
Shortly announcing the venue for a breathwork/Wim Hof workshop in Sydney on Sat/Sun 9th/10th March.
Already locked in for Melbourne workshop on the 9th Feb ( ink to tickets in my bio) and NSW South Coast Sun 17 March @soultribestudio Batemans Bay.
Some additional info about IHT from https://bengreenfieldfitness.com
In the 1970s, Russian scientists trying to improve athletic performance of athletes produced numerous studies identifying the many benefits of intermittent hypoxic training.
Some of these health benefits include:
Increased stamina and endurance.
Lower blood pressure.
Formation of natural ‘heart bypasses’ called coronary collaterals.
Improved blood flow to muscles and tissues.
Increased efficiency of mitochondria leading to less risk of oxidative stress, degenerative disease and aging of cells.
Increased growth hormone levels.
Relief from asthma, arthritis, diabetes, sleep disorders and other chronic diseases.
Activation of stem cells leading to lower inflammation, cell repair, growth and even neurogenesis.
The benefits of intermittent hypoxic training are shown when blood saturation of oxygen drops below 90% for 1-3 minutes. Even very brief exposure to hypoxia for even just 15-30 seconds has been shown in studies to give some benefits.