Wim Hof To Bring His Signature Breathwork and Ice Bath Experience to San Diego

On March 22, internationally renowned extreme athlete and wellness pioneer Wim Hof will bring his Wim Hof Experience to San Diego for a one-day immersive retreat. The event marks the final stop of his North American tour, offering local wellness enthusiasts a rare opportunity to train directly with the man who has spent decades rewriting the rulebook on human physiology.

The visit comes at a time when the Wim Hof Method has already established itself as a cornerstone of San Diego’s wellness scene. Interest in breathwork, nervous system regulation, and cold plunging has surged in the past few years, with local studios increasingly incorporating these practices alongside traditional yoga, Pilates or fitness classes.

Wim Hof (left), creator of the Wim Hof Method and Wim Hof Experience

The Dutch-born Hof has spent decades pushing the limits of human endurance in extreme cold, earning multiple world records and the nickname “The Iceman.” His most storied feats include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in nothing but shorts, running a barefoot half-marathon above the Arctic Circle, and remaining submerged in ice for nearly two hours.

Through years of personal experimentation with breath, cold exposure, and meditation, he developed the Wim Hof Method. Hof believes this bespoke system allows individuals to consciously influence their immune systems, reduce stress, and unlock a level of physical and mental resilience previously thought impossible.

The first pillar of the method, breathing, centers on specialized breathing techniques adapted from Tibetan Tummo techniques that uses controlled hyperventilation, extended breath holds, and recovery breaths to boost oxygen and reduce CO₂. It involves 30 deep breaths, a long hold on the exhale, and a final 15-second hold on the inhale, usually repeated for 3-6 rounds. This heightened oxygenation may help to boost your immunity, mood, focus and overall wellbeing.

The second pillar, cold exposure, encourages gradual and intentional interaction with cold environments. Advocates say regular cold exposure can stimulate the development of brown adipose tissue (associated with improved metabolic activity) while also helping reduce inflammation, balance hormones, improve sleep quality, and trigger the release of mood-boosting endorphins.

The final pillar, commitment and mindset, underpins the practice as a whole. Practitioners are encouraged to cultivate focus, patience, and mental discipline in order to safely and effectively integrate both breathing exercises and cold immersion into daily life.

What began as an unconventional personal journey has evolved into a global movement and the scientific community has taken notice. Researchers at several universities across the globe have studied Hof and his students, examining how the combination of breathing techniques and cold exposure may influence immune response, inflammation and stress regulation.

In a significant local development, researchers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) are currently launching a groundbreaking study to map the neurological effects of the Wim Hof Method. Led by Dr. Fadel Zeidan, a Professor of Anesthesiology at the UCSD Center for Pain Medicine and Neuroscience Director at the UCSD Center for Psychedelic Research, the study uses high-resolution fMRI to investigate how Wim Hof’s specific breathing cycles (hyperventilation followed by breath retention) affect the brain.

The study's hypothesis states that the method may enhance glymphatic function, also known as the brain’s "waste clearance" system. By measuring blood and spinal fluid flow, Dr. Zeidan’s team hopes to determine if the technique can physically clear metabolic byproducts while simultaneously reducing clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety. This research marks the first human trial to test breathwork's impact on boosting brain waste clearance, potentially offering a non-pharmacological strategy for long-term brain health and emotional regulation.

San Diegans can experience the unique method firsthand, all led by Wim Hof himself. Through guided practices and educational sessions, the immersive one-day retreat provides attendees with a hands-on exploration of the method to strengthen resilience, reduce stress, and enhance both physical and mental performance.

The day’s program includes:

Participants will also receive a signed copy of Hof’s book The Wim Hof Method, a digital preparation pack, and the opportunity to take a photo with Hof.

The Wim Hof Experience – San Diego 2026
March 22, 2026, 10:00am-5:00pm
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
$799

Registration and additional information can be found here:
https://tcche.org/event/wim-hof-retreat-san-diego-2026/