Qualified Wim Hof Method Instructor and qualified massage therapist
Hi everyone, I’m Cristian. I’m a dad of two little ones and I’m passionate about health and happiness.
My childhood in Quito, Ecuador was a bit turbulent, to say the least. I was raised in an environment of fear and anxiety. As a kid, I was always on edge.
When I was 13 years old everything changed. My parents got divorced and a whole new life started. I stayed with my mum and sister, now finally together in a calm and loving enviroment.
But inside of me there was something that wasn’t quite right. I was feeling immense rage and guilt and I was losing my temper easily. I felt very nervous all the time. My refuge was friends and alcohol.
When I was 22 years old, living in Barcelona, I came across a book by Tony Buzan. He explained the power of the mind and this fascinated me. My curiosity took me in all kinds of direction: reading Freud’s books, The Dalai Lama…I loved psychology.I started to look back on my life. This was the beginning of my path to cure my inner child who was still very wounded inside of me.
This gave me the curiosity of seeing the world with my own eyes, I was just feeding my brain with positive thoughts. I changed my attitude towards life and people. I started to feel compassion for myself and for others, even if they had hurt me. I started to feel gratitude for my life, for food and water and oxygen.
Along the way I found yoga and meditation. Did you know that in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, one of the first lessons is to teach little ones how to breathe? This shook me.
Living in Brighton, UK, I studied massage, anatomy and physiology. People have always told me that I have healing hands. Making others feel good through touch and my presence is part of how I offer this healing to the world.
My curiosity is still alive more than ever. The Wim Hof Method taught me, that through deep and conscious breathing, and control over my mind, I would be able to influence my nervous system. This was a big realisation for me, now I have got the control of my nerves and reactivity through cold showers, breathwork and ice baths.
I have two beautiful kids with my wife Emily. In order to give my family peace, love and understanding, I learn every day from my breathwork, yoga and ice practices. These allow me to find my centre and create a beautiful experience for my family. When I regulate my own nervous system, I’m better able to respond to my loved ones with patience, understanding and kindness.
It would be my honour to share these practises with you so you may also enjoy feeling happier, healthier and stronger.
I give thanks to all my teachers along the way,
Cristian Mena