Wintertime can be challenging for anyone who has an aversion to cold temperatures. When we’re chilled to the bone, life seems unforgiving. In a perfect world, we would remain buried under the down comforter until the temperature rises. But inevitably, duty calls.
Scientists believe our core body temperature can be controlled by the brain. Advanced practices such as the Tummo method, have enabled a group of Tibetan monks to perspire in frigid waters. While you probably don’t have a desire to jump into a vat of ice any time soon, if you dream of fleeting to the tropics during the frosty months, the following guided imagery meditation practice will help you stay warm this winter.
Practice anywhere and at anytime, especially when you are feeling chilly. The first step is to bring your awareness to your breath. Gently narrow the passage way in the back of your throat to control the flow of air moving in and out of your lungs. This will produce a sound much like ocean waves. Go ahead and imagine you are actually in the tropics!
Now, during the inhalation phase, imagine a warm tone of red moving into your body. Equate this hue with an increase in temperature, and notice how it affects the way you feel. Next, at the top of your inhale hold your breath for one second. During this pause, imagine your body retaining heat. Feel the warming quality of your breath penetrate your bones and travel all the way to your icy fingers and toes.
As you exhale, imagine you are blowing out the cool color blue, as if to remove the cold from your body. You might even visualize your exhale creating a puff of vapor, if it isn’t already doing so. Allow your exhale to draw the shivers out of your bones and let the frigid air dissipate into the atmosphere.
When inhaling the color red, silently repeat the mantra, ‘warmth moves in.’ When exhaling the color blue, silently repeat the mantra, ‘cold moves out.’ Continue to use your imagination of pulling warm air in, retaining the heat, and blowing the cold air out.
While this mediation won’t bring you to the level of the famed Wim Hof, aka, “The Iceman,” who holds the world record for taking the longest ice bath, it helps when it’s time to part with your nice, warm bed on a cold winter’s morning.