Wim Hof method

[Clues]

Another update on my Wim Hof breathing experimentation.

With the calmer approach described above, the exercise does feel really good; Subjectively it feels like it increases my blood flow, or maybe it's the blood oxygen level?

However, sadly, I do think I get mild-to-moderate POIS symptoms from them, so I've had to stop for now.

I'm going to continue working on my gut health, which is my main line of investigation at the moment, and maybe try the breathing again at some point later.

[Clues]

I gave Wim Hof yet another try, and this time it seems like I've been able to work it into my routine without adverse effects.

My current Wim Hof regimen:
* Breathing exercise (three rounds) between 3-5 times per week
* Warm shower followed by 2-3 mins cold shower every day. (Deep breathing all the way; don't force it!)
* A selection of stretches from the program when I feel like it, 3-7 times per week (while breathing deeply)
* The horse stance exercise every other day, for 20-30 minutes
* Plank exercise daily, plus various other low-intensity strength exercises spread through the day

This actually works for me now! Without triggering serious symptoms. Please note that I've gradually phased in each of these exercises.

Some important things to note:
* I try to be conscious of my breathing as often as I can. To make sure I'm not tensing up and breathing shallowly/rapidly. Learning the Wim Hof breathing has taught me that I've been shit at breathing since forever, breathing shallowly and somewhat rapidly all the time.
* When I do any of the above exercises I try to find a calm state of mind, and play some chill ambient music on my sound system.
* The horse stance exercise still makes me a little bit symptomatic. But it does seem to be improving long-held tensions in my arms, legs, psoas and glutes, so it feels worth it.
* Personally I have to be very careful with stretches. Basically my arms, legs, psoas and glutes are perpetually tense and inflexible, and if I try to stretch them too vigorously, I just feel worse. Mild stretches feel OK once I'm in a calm, meditative headspace, but it's unclear whether I'm actually becoming more flexible.

Preliminary results:
* At the start of the summer I would shoot some basketball solo for 15 minutes and become symptomatic. Now in late August, I'm able to play basketball (solo) multiple times per day and do low-intensity strength exercises spread through the day, and feel fine. Horse stance still makes me symptomatic, but not terribly so.
* Cold sensitivity seems substantially diminished. However winter will be the real test here.
* Muscles and ligaments seem softer, less tender and tense, including psoas.