Devon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="685" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dance2.jpg" alt="Sara Dance, Devon Wim Hof Method instructor and breath work coach" class="wp-image-63287" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dance2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dance2-800x548.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dance2-768x526.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When I think of impressive local wellbeing women, Sara is my go-to. When she lost a close friend a few years ago, her wellbeing took a terrible nose-dive, leading to her first training as a breathwork coach, and founding <a href="https://www.breathways.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Breathways</a> where she offers corporate and one-to-one coaching in using your breath to alleviate stress and anxiety, for peak performance and during pregnancy. Then she discovered the benefits of ice water bathing, and has now taken the next step to qualify as a Level 2 Wim Hof Method instructor, the only one in Devon. </p>



<p>Sara once taught me a brilliant method to get yourself back to sleep when you&#8217;re tossing and turning in the middle of the night (see below), so when Sara tries something new, I&#8217;m always all ears.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hi-sara-our-paths-crossed-back-when-you-were-working-as-certified-breathwork-instructor-what-made-you-qualify-in-the-wim-hof-method">Hi Sara! Our paths crossed back when you were working as certified breathwork instructor. What made you qualify in the Wim Hof Method?</h2>



<p>The Wim Hof Method can be hard to describe, you may have seen it on BBC1 when Wim shared the method with a group of celebs, putting them through their paces in the mountains of Italy.&nbsp;I guess if I had to try and describe it in a nutshell, I’d say it expands your boundaries, taking you to a place you never imagined, restoring what modern life takes away. It uses a combination of breathwork, cold water exposure and commitment, to get you back to being the very best version of yourself.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Whether we realise it or not, the modern world and the way we live in it often takes more than it gives. Leaving us stressed, anxious and with a nervous system that is running on high alert. The method offers an opportunity to reset the balance. Clearing your mind, resetting your body, and balancing your nervous system.</p>



<p>This was exactly what it did for me. I went into it after the death of a very dear friend. My grief was overwhelming, and I just didn’t know how to let it go. I became physically and mentally sick, so I turned to the method at a very dark time. It was incredible, allowing me to release the grief in a gentle way and slowly the light returned to my life. After that experience I knew I just had to share this with as many people as possible. Now it helps me feel like I can do anything!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-you-have-to-do-to-qualify">What do you have to do to qualify?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="817" height="817" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dance3.jpg" alt="Sara Dance Wim Hof instructor " class="wp-image-63293" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dance3.jpg 817w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dance3-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dance3-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dance3-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dance3-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 817px) 100vw, 817px" /></figure>



<p>It’s no simple task and took me over a year. There are several stages, which involve lots of training, learning science, presentations, 30-minute solo ice baths and adventures into the mountains of Poland. The peak of my training was in Poland where I climbed a mountain in shorts and a sports bra, in two foot of snow in about -20 degrees C. I never thought I’d be able to do that, but that’s what the method does – instils self-belief. We are capable of so much more than we think!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sounds-tough-were-you-ever-tempted-to-give-up">Sounds tough! Were you ever tempted to give up?</h2>



<p>It was definitely a challenge, but, looking back, I’m so grateful for the extensive training. The hardest bit for me was the science. I was never a science girl at school, but I find it fascinating now. What brought me to the Method was the feeling, and what keeps me here is the science.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-health-benefits">What are the health benefits?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1060" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/Sara-dance-ice-baths.jpg" alt="Sara Dance, Breathways in an ice bath in Devon " class="wp-image-63288" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/Sara-dance-ice-baths.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/Sara-dance-ice-baths-800x565.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/Sara-dance-ice-baths-1000x707.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/Sara-dance-ice-baths-768x543.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>For me personally, I feel like I have a brand new and improved immune system. I always used to get the coughs, colds, and chest infections, and now I hardly get sick at all. I totally credit the Method with this brilliant change.&nbsp;I’ve also seen such incredible results with participants. I have one client who has rid herself of her psoriasis using the method, another that has done away with her chronic joint pain and so many more examples, where people have taken back control of their own physical and mental health. I find it so inspiring! What’s more, we have actually proven that the Method can influence the innate immune response, reducing inflammation in the body – which has so much potential to support people with auto immune conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-kind-of-coaching-do-you-do">What kind of coaching do you do?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dartmoor.jpg" alt="Dartmoor lake in winter " class="wp-image-63296" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dartmoor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dartmoor-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dartmoor-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dartmoor-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/sara-dartmoor-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I run <a href="https://www.wimhofmethod.com/activities/trainer/saradance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one-day workshops on Dartmoor</a> and across the rest of the country. I also run <a href="https://www.wimhofmethod.com/activities/trainer/saradance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weekend retreats</a> on Dartmoor, which are like a spa weekend for the mind, body, and soul. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remind-me-about-that-brilliant-breathwork-method-for-getting-back-to-sleep">Remind me about that brilliant breathwork method for getting back to sleep.</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="600" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/07/BREATHWAYS-SARA.jpg" alt="Sara Dance, Breathways, breath work coach in a field " class="wp-image-33849" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/07/BREATHWAYS-SARA.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/07/BREATHWAYS-SARA-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/07/BREATHWAYS-SARA-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/07/BREATHWAYS-SARA-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/07/BREATHWAYS-SARA-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/07/BREATHWAYS-SARA-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></figure>



<p>It’s called Coherent Breathing and it’s brilliant! All you need to do is breathe in for a count of five and out for a count of five and do it for five minutes. This breathwork is scientifically proven to reduce blood pressure, cortisol, the stress hormone, and it increases Heart Rate Variability, which is a measure of our resilience. And who doesn’t want to be more resilient.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-also-have-a-hot-new-venture-i-hear">You also have a <em>hot</em> new venture I hear&#8230;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/devon-saunahub.jpg" alt="Devon Sauna Hub " class="wp-image-63074" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/devon-saunahub.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/devon-saunahub-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/devon-saunahub-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/devon-saunahub-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/01/devon-saunahub-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Yes, it&#8217;s called the <a href="https://www.devonsaunahub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Devon Sauna Hub</a>. As a certified breath coach and Wim Hof instructor, I’m passionate about sharing the benefits of breathwork and cold-water exposure.&nbsp;However, it is admittedly much more tempting to throw yourself in the cold when there’s a promise of warmth afterwards, and I love to sauna! Devon Sauna Hub is designed to do exactly that, bringing heat to cold like yin to yang. Using portable insulated sauna tents, we pop up in beautiful waterside landscapes around Devon, creating a community who can share the life enhancing benefits of sauna. We also provide saunas for private hire at your home or event.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advice-for-anyone-wanting-to-break-into-the-wim-hof-method-or-cold-water-swimming-in-2024">Advice for anyone wanting to break into the Wim Hof method or cold water swimming in 2024?</h2>



<p>You can start really easily, just by turning your shower to cold for 30 seconds at the end. Remember to breathe, as the first time you do it it can be a bit of a shock. Lots of people also read Wim’s book and get inspired. I would say if you want to get the best out of the breathwork, come to a workshop so you can really get a feel for it at its best.</p>



<p>October can be the best time of year to start in the sea as it’s at it’s warmest, but if you can’t wait until then, just start with a 30 second cold shower. You’ll get so many great benefits just from that!</p>



<p><i style="font-weight: bold">Want 10% off your first visit to the Devon Sauna Hub? Sign up for Sara&#8217;s newsletter at </i><a style="font-weight: bold;font-style: italic" href="http://www.devonsaunahub.co.uk">www.devonsaunahub.co.uk</a> <strong><em>and keep up to date with her latest <a href="https://www.wimhofmethod.com/activities/trainer/saradance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wim Hof workshops</a> on Dartmoor. Check out Muddy&#8217;s guide to <a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/most-read/devon-sauna-steam-rooms-thermal-experiences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local sauna pop-ups</a> by the beach.</em></strong></p>


Muddy meets local Wim Hof instructor, Sara Dance

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