I can do hard things is what I told myself before I did my first cold plunge.
My coach sending the entire track team to an ice bath after a hard run.
Quickly getting out of the tub and laughing away my Coachs encouraging words.
Photo: Courtesy of Remedy Place
The class was a hit," he says.
“People went nuts, claiming it was life-changing.
So, he knew he had to make it a mainstay in the Remedy Place menu.
Photo: Courtesy of Remedy Place
Kiana, the specialist called.
At once, I was guided to a changing room to put on my bathing suit.
Three bath-like pools were situated along the wall, each with a padded bed next to it.
We were instructed to choose a song wed like to listen to during our plunge.
I chose my favorite song by 6lack and my counterpart, a classic Marvin Gaye.
The team member loaded our selects into an iPad before leaving the room.
Next, our breathwork began session began.
Admittedly, I was too nervous to focus on my breathing.
I couldnt stop thinking about just how cold the water was about to be.
Mind over matter I told myself.
So there I sat, straddling the pool waiting for the six minute timer to begin.
If he can do that, I can surely do anything.
Suddenly I was in the tub.
My breathing quickened, and I sat frozen with the water up to my ribs.
I tried to focus on something, anything, to pass the time and not embrace every single second.
I suddenly appreciated our song choices, and the encouraging words of the specialist.
Unlike my high school days, I made the decision to stay in the water.
The first 90 seconds are the hardest, as your body becomes acclimated to the temperature.
Remedy Place recommends getting in up to your chest for the full benefit.
I smiled to myselfhalfway there.
Then 30 seconds, 15 seconds…five, four, three, two, one.
I arose from the water, sat on the bed, and quickly grabbed my towel.
My legs, visibly red, felt cold to the touch.
No matter what sensations my body felt, nothing could shake the smile on my face.
For actively choosing to push my body past limitations I placed on myself.
For showing up for myself and not giving up.
And to me, that meant everything.
(A new, lower-Manhattan location is reportedly in the works.)
With each session, the plunges got easier.
But no matter what, I always left with that same accomplished feelingmore motivated than ever to keep moving.
Who knew six minutes could leave such a lasting impression?
