Benoit Demeulemeester, founder of CooloutBreathIn takes workshop participants through breathing exercises in Al Manara, Dubai, before they attempt ice bath therapy. All photographs Antonie Robertson / The National
Benoit Demeulemeester, founder of CooloutBreathIn takes workshop participants through breathing exercises in Al Manara, Dubai, before they attempt ice bath therapy. All photographs Antonie Robertson / The National
At temperatures climb into the 40s, Benoit Demeulemeester fills tubs with 20-kilogram bags of ice, as workshop members watch on with trepidation.
At temperatures climb into the 40s, Benoit Demeulemeester fills tubs with 20-kilogram bags of ice, as workshop members watch on with trepidation.
Submerged up to his shoulders, Benoit Demeulemeester demonstrates the breathing exercises that accompany a plunge into the icy water.
Submerged up to his shoulders, Benoit Demeulemeester demonstrates the breathing exercises that accompany a plunge into the icy water.
A workshop participant settles in his icy bath – with plenty of ice at hand to replenish supplies. Employing techniques popularised by 'The Ice Man' Wim Hof, Benoit Demeulemeester says an icy dip combined with breathing exercises 'keeps one's body in optimal condition'.
A workshop participant settles in his icy bath – with plenty of ice at hand to replenish supplies. Employing techniques popularised by 'The Ice Man' Wim Hof, Benoit Demeulemeester says an icy dip combined with breathing exercises 'keeps one's body in optimal condition'.
Once participants are accustomed to being up to their shoulders in ice, they can progress to fully immersing themselves in the freezing water.
Once participants are accustomed to being up to their shoulders in ice, they can progress to fully immersing themselves in the freezing water.
A thermometer shows that while the temperature may be rising past 40°C outside, in the tub it remains stubbornly below zero.
A thermometer shows that while the temperature may be rising past 40°C outside, in the tub it remains stubbornly below zero.
Benoit Demeulemeester dunks a bucket of ice over a regular participant at the end of his four-and-a-half minute second session in the ice bath.
Benoit Demeulemeester dunks a bucket of ice over a regular participant at the end of his four-and-a-half minute second session in the ice bath.
Benoit Demeulemeester times a workshop member during his ice bath. The therapy is based on traditional breathing exercises practised by Tibetan Buddhist monks. Demeulemeester admits the icy element is 'the more crazy aspect of the system'.
Benoit Demeulemeester times a workshop member during his ice bath. The therapy is based on traditional breathing exercises practised by Tibetan Buddhist monks. Demeulemeester admits the icy element is 'the more crazy aspect of the system'.
Having completed his first plunge – and having managed to stay in the tub for three and a half minutes – a workshop participant re-emerges into the hot Dubai morning air.
Having completed his first plunge – and having managed to stay in the tub for three and a half minutes – a workshop participant re-emerges into the hot Dubai morning air.
Under the guidance of Benoit Demeulemeester, workshop participants take the plunge for a second time. Becoming accustomed to the shock of the cold and focusing on breathing techniques, some can spend five minutes in their icy oasis.
Under the guidance of Benoit Demeulemeester, workshop participants take the plunge for a second time. Becoming accustomed to the shock of the cold and focusing on breathing techniques, some can spend five minutes in their icy oasis.

Gulf

Dubai residents take the plunge with ice bath therapy – in pictures

While it seems a great way to keep cool in the summer, the main purpose of these icy dips is to complement breathing techniques

Antonie Robertson

June 22, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

On a hot Saturday morning, with the temperature rising into the 40s, a delivery van pulls up at a villa in Dubai's Al Manara neighbourhood.

The doors of the refrigerated truck swing open and a two-man team heave 20-kilogram bags of ice over their shoulders.

This is destined for two large tubs that will be used as ice baths for a novel workshop that is not designed to keep participants cool, but to help them with their breathing.

"A lot of people think that the ice baths are the main thing, but the main point is actually the breathing," said Benoit Demeulemeester, founder of CooloutBreathIn and the host of the weekly breathwork workshop.

This method of breathing was made famous by Dutchman Wim Hof – known as The Ice Man for his feats of endurance against the cold.

"Wim Hof took that method from Tibet," Demeulemeester said. "It's an old technique of breathing to empower yourself.

"He changed it a little bit and he found out what it did to him and what it did to other people.

"Today, the Wim Hof method is mainly breathing and ice baths," Demeulemeester said.

"The breathing is the more important, while the ice baths are the more crazy aspect of the system."

For more info follow @CooloutBreathIn on Instagram and Facebook

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
While you're here
Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS

2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
Our commentary on Brexit
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:

Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 

Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto 

Power: 1,600hp

Torque: 1,600Nm

0-100kph in 2.4seconds

0-200kph in 5.8 seconds

0-300kph in 12.1 seconds

Top speed: 440kph

Price: Dh13,200,000

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:

Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 

Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto 

Power: 1,500hp

Torque: 1,600Nm

0-100kph in 2.3 seconds

0-200kph in 5.5 seconds

0-300kph in 11.8 seconds

Top speed: 350kph

Price: Dh13,600,000

UAE