Video·Kiun B·4 min read·June 2026

Embracing the Cold: The Transformative Power of Ice Bathing in Yakutsk

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um this story begins in the coldest inhabited city  in the world yakutsk with winter temperatures   routinely reaching below minus 50 degrees  about the same as mars home to over 300   000 people people who love their hometown and  enjoy their life despite the harsh climate this is nikolai for almost 50 years  nikolai starts his days with an ice path  

but it was not always like that when he was  in middle school he was very weak and often   got colds one day his teachers told him he  should toughen up by covering himself in snow   since then nikolai's life completely changed  now he's 60 years old physically strong and   never gets ill he is also helping many people  to become healthier treat their addictions   depressions and ailments through this his  own psychological and spiritual methods foreign

nikolai is entering the water slowly it's  important to breathe calmly without rushing,   rushing can cause cusping and cold  water shock which can be very dangerous

oh by the way if you notice nikolai's  head people who do ice bathing in russia   call themselves walruses that's  why nikolai wears a walrus head

so nikolai is in a hurry to get dressed  being outside wet and without warm   clothes is extremely dangerous now one of  the nikolai students is ready for an ice bath   student starts practicing every day from the end  of summer so their body gets used to the cold

after he puts on worm clothes he start  exercising his muscles to generate body heat   nikolai is also dreaming to  build his own practicing center   to help more people to  become healthier and stronger i hope you enjoyed this video and you can  feel the spirit of the yakutian people bye bye

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Transcript auto-generated by YouTube. Verbatim — duplicates intentionally preserved.

In the heart of Siberia lies Yakutsk, the coldest inhabited city in the world, where winter temperatures often plummet below -50°C. Despite the harsh conditions, the residents of this resilient city embrace their unique climate, finding strength in the chill. Among them is Nikolai, a man whose life was transformed by the simple yet profound ritual of ice bathing.

For nearly 50 years, Nikolai has started his mornings with an ice bath, a practice that began as a remedy for his childhood frailty. Today, at 60 years old, he embodies physical strength and an unwavering spirit, rarely succumbing to illness. His journey illustrates how intentional exposure to cold can cultivate resilience and enhance overall well-being.

-50 Temperature in Yakutsk during winter 60 Nikolai's age

Nikolai's Ice Bath Routine

Nikolai's daily ritual begins with a slow and deliberate entry into icy waters. He emphasizes the importance of calm breathing, stating, “It’s important to breathe calmly without rushing.” Rushing into cold water can lead to shock, a dangerous response that can overwhelm the body. By taking his time, Nikolai not only acclimatizes his body but also cultivates a sense of stillness and clarity.

This practice is not merely about enduring the cold; it is about embracing it. Nikolai’s approach serves as a reminder that resilience can be developed through gradual exposure to discomfort. His students, who begin their ice bathing journey at the end of summer, learn to adapt their bodies to the cold, fostering both physical and mental strength.

"Since then Nikolai's life completely changed." — Nikolai

Health Benefits and Teaching

Nikolai believes that ice bathing has significantly contributed to his health, making him physically strong and resilient to illness. “Since then Nikolai's life completely changed,” he reflects on his transformation. Research supports this perspective, indicating that regular exposure to cold can enhance immune function, reduce inflammation, and improve recovery times after physical exertion.

Moreover, Nikolai extends his knowledge beyond personal practice. He assists others in overcoming health challenges, including addictions and depression, through psychological and spiritual methods. His holistic approach underscores the interconnectedness of body and mind, emphasizing that true health encompasses both physical resilience and emotional well-being.

Practicing Ice Bathing

For those considering ice bathing, gradual acclimatization is crucial. Start by exposing yourself to cold water for brief periods, gradually increasing the duration as your body adapts. This method not only minimizes the risk of shock but also allows for a more profound connection with the experience.

Nikolai’s students exemplify this practice, beginning their training in warmer months to prepare their bodies for the winter's chill. Engaging in physical activity after exiting the water helps generate body heat, further enhancing the benefits of the ritual. As Nikolai says, “I hope you enjoyed this video and you can feel the spirit of the Yakutian people.” This spirit is one of resilience, community, and the shared pursuit of health.

Future Aspirations

Nikolai envisions establishing a dedicated center for ice bathing and wellness, a sanctuary where more individuals can learn to harness the benefits of cold exposure. This aspiration reflects his commitment to empowering others on their health journeys. By creating a space for education and practice, he aims to foster a community centered around resilience and longevity.

One day his teachers told him he should toughen up by covering himself in snow.

As the world increasingly recognizes the importance of recovery and intentional wellness practices, Nikolai's work stands as a testament to the power of simple rituals. Through ice bathing, he not only transforms his own life but also inspires others to embrace their potential for health and vitality.

Words Worth Hearing

"I hope you enjoyed this video and you can feel the spirit of the Yakutian people." — Nikolai

Practical Takeaways

Begin your ice bathing journey gradually to allow your body to acclimatize safely.
Incorporate breathing techniques to enhance your experience and reduce the risk of shock.
Consider the holistic benefits of cold exposure, including improved immune function and mental resilience.

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Wim's Wise Words

A second take, from someone who's lived it.

What stayed with me about Nikolai is not the cold — it's the fifty years. Anyone can step into icy water once. The question is what makes you come back tomorrow, and the day after, for half a century.

The answer isn't willpower. You cannot sustain anything on willpower alone. What Nikolai has built is something quieter: a body that has adapted so thoroughly that the cold no longer registers as threat. It registers as morning. That shift — from endurance to neutrality — is the actual goal. Most people who start cold immersion are chasing the rush, the spike of alertness after emergence. That is real, and it is worth having. But it is not the practice. The practice is what happens when the rush stops being remarkable. When you step in, breathe, and simply wait — without drama, without conquest.

One thing worth sitting with: the breathwork is the skill. Temperature is just the teacher. Nikolai's instruction to breathe calmly without rushing isn't safety advice — it's the whole lesson. Every time you override the body's alarm reflex with a slow exhale, you are practicing a form of self-regulation that carries into every other pressured moment in your life. The cold is the arena. The nervous system is what you're actually training.

Where to Begin

If you're starting, the right question isn't how cold. It's how consistent. Nikolai's students begin in late summer, when the water is uncomfortable but manageable. Do the same: find the version of this that you can repeat every morning for three months before it gets harder. That is what builds the adaptation. One session at extreme cold impresses nobody, least of all your body. For a fuller sense of how to build this into a deliberate practice, Cold as Resilience Practice is worth reading next.

Two things that don't get said enough. First: timing matters. The alertness, the focus, the settled calm that follows cold immersion — these are most useful at the start of the day. Morning sessions set a tone that evening ones don't replicate. Do this early, before the day asks anything of you. Second: dress fast afterward. Standing wet in cold air without warm clothes isn't additional exposure with benefits — it's just cold, with no structure around it. The protocol ends when you're warm and moving.

Nikolai's aspiration to build a center is worth pausing on. What he's pointing at is community: people entering the cold together, students watching teachers, the practice held by more than individual resolve. If you can find that — even one other person — you will go further than you will alone. Cold practiced in isolation becomes a test. Cold practiced together becomes a ritual.

None of this replaces sleep, movement, or the other foundations. Cold immersion is a complement, not a cure. What it does — reliably, over time — is teach the body that discomfort is not danger. That is a quiet and useful thing to know.

The cold doesn't respond to motivation. It responds to adaptation. Fifty years of that, and a man who was once too frail for ordinary winter is now helping others through theirs. That is a quiet kind of strength — and the only kind that lasts.