Experience the Wim Hof ​​Method with Instructor Doruk Taraktash from the Uplifers Team

As you know, for over 10 years as a Uplifers team, we have been working to introduce various wellness content to our valuable readers. However, our interest in the world of wellness does not stem solely from our work. We are a team that closely monitors all practices that promise wholeness of body, mind and spirit and offer us a holistic state of well-being and strive to experience them as much as possible. This is how we met Wim Hof ​​instructor Doruk Taraktash.

Like most people, we already knew about Wim Hof ​​and closely followed the work of the scientific world on him. For those who don’t know, let’s briefly recap: if we know about the healing effect of the cold these days, it’s probably due in part to the Dutch adventurer Wim Hof. Although there are many scientific studies on the physical benefits of cold therapy, the Wim Hof ​​method combines the effects of cold, especially breathing exercises and meditation. That is why he broke a number of records for exposure to the cold, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts, running a barefoot half marathon in the Arctic Circle and standing in a bathtub covered with ice cubes. For more information on this subject, you can also read our related articles:

We don’t know how the cold makes you feel or what your relationship with the cold is, but some of us on our team don’t handle the cold well. The only thing that unites us is our willingness to challenge ourselves! That’s why we were looking to see if there was a way to experience the Wim Hof ​​method in Turkey and we came across Doruk Taraktas on Instagram!

Firstly, we had a very nice interview, which said that everyone should know about this wonderful training he gave, and, of course, get to know him better: Breath, coldness, willpower: a pleasant interview with Wim Hof ​​trainer Doruk Taraktas

Doruk Khodja explained himself and the purpose of the Wim Hof ​​Method so well to us that, despite our cold fear, we counted the days together to attend the training in Istanbul… And when the dates were shown on June 3rd, we got a little worried; we found him at Aletya Studio, where the training will take place in Zekeriyaköy, with more curious eyes!

After a warm welcome by Doruk Khoja and his wife Zehra Khanym, we quickly began our theoretical training. Just like us, who are there with other intentions; We met our very nice “tribe”, who are very eager to challenge themselves (as Doruk Khoja says). Some of us were there to learn how to manage stress better, some of us to change our attitudes about the cold, some of us to relieve the symptoms of their chronic diseases. While each of us in turn expressed our intentions, we already understood how much we actually ended up in the right place.

In the theoretical part, Khoja Doruk told us in detail about Wim Hof ​​and the starting point of his method. Such an ordinary action that we do not even think about when performing it; I mean, it’s really incredible what breathing can do to our body! Contrary to popular belief, the Wim Hof ​​method is not just about cold showers. What makes it special is the wonders that these breathing exercises can do when combined with willpower and coldness. In other words, we can say that a cold shower made from breath or willpower doesn’t make much sense.

One of the most exciting parts of the training was the breathing exercise that Doruk Khoja did after theoretical knowledge. We lay down in our seats and did 3 sets of Wim Hof ​​breathing exercises under the guidance of Khoja Doruk. While the experience of each was unique to them, it was impossible not to feel the energy of the community. We shared our feelings after this experience and it was the scariest moment for everyone! 🙂

Our teacher told us to put on our swimsuits and meet in the garden after a short break. In fact, what we learned in the first part of the training definitely prepared us for this difficult part. We didn’t feel the same as when we arrived. Anxiety gave way to more excitement and curiosity. However, it’s worth saying; ice that you see in this barrel; it doesn’t stay like it does in the freezer at home when you step inside. 🙂

We formed a circle together in the garden and prepared for the cold training, warming up with the horse stance, which is also part of the Wim Hof ​​method. Then, accompanied by Khoja Doruk, we plunged in pairs into VERY VERY cool waters!

For some of us, this is not as difficult as it seems; the first contact with the cold was more difficult for some of us than expected. In the end, what they did there was not just exposure to temperature, to which our body is not accustomed. It was meant to break our very ingrained beliefs that we had carried so far. That’s exactly what was difficult.

Well, guess what? We did it! And all of us. Since we set out to challenge ourselves, we were already successful the moment we entered this studio. When you can say “Everything is fine, everything is under my control” to a rapid heartbeat in the bitter cold, you understand that you have achieved something. 🙂

In short, we know that although we entered that door as Eda, Merve, Dilek, and Edgem that morning, we were not the same people. And, of course, we are sure that our friends with whom we share our experience also think so. Experience the Wim Hof ​​Method was amazing. Of course we did, there is no such thing as the end. “Will” is a very important element in order to see the benefits mentioned. That is why we continue to apply the method with homework and daily practices given by Doruk Khodja and we motivate each other by sharing it with friends day by day. ❤

We would like to thank Doruk Khodja, who first opened his heart to us and then invited us to study with him. ❤ If you were interested in what we told you, don’t worry that you missed it. Because this season Doruk Khodja will travel from city to city and carry the Wim Hof ​​Method along with his enthusiasts! To closely follow the training, we leave his Instagram account here: @doruk_taraktas