Our fully online Cold Water Immersion Instructor Course has been recently upgraded to include 15 new lessons from our Deliberate Heat Exposure course. It is available anywhere, anytime, globally. The online CWI Instructor certification is a super convenient and effective learning tool that you can access upon purchase. Buy it now and start learning immediately.

FACILITATE EPIC Cold Water Immersion workshops

Become a Cold Water Immersion Instructor

Are you drawn to the stillness that water brings, or the invigorating rush of stepping into the cold? Our Cold Water Immersion (CWI) Instructor certification invites you to journey deep into the transformative power of nature’s elements. With the recent inclusion of Deliberate Heat Exposure and Contrast Training (15 new lessons), this course now integrates the element of fire alongside water and air, offering an even more holistic approach to stress management, deep relaxation and self-discovery.

Our elemental pillars (earth, fire, water, air and ether) are not just metaphors but living forces within us. Fire, through heat exposure, invites a grounding through purification and resilience. Water, in its cold form, asks us to surrender, to find calm amidst discomfort. Air, the breath, connects us to our innermost self, guiding us through moments of intensity. And when these forces unite in contrast training, the delicate interplay of hot and cold helps ground us, opening the doorway to the element of ether, where clarity and deeper presence can be found.

Our globally recognised certification offers a pathway for facilitators to lead cold water immersion workshops with a deep understanding of the physiological, mental, and emotional processes involved. Beyond simply teaching the techniques, you will be able to safely support others, creating an intimate and meaningful experience that moves participants through discomfort into stillness and strength. This is a calling for those who want to guide others in reconnecting with the primal elements of nature and unlocking their inner resilience.

Why Become a Cold Water Immersion Instructor?

This course is for anyone seeking to teach cold water immersion / contrast training as a tool for stress relief, relaxation, and personal growth. Whether you’re a coach, therapist, or community leader, this certification will enable you to safely deliver CWI / Contrast training workshops that combine the wisdom of nature’s elements with cutting-edge breath control techniques.

You will learn to guide your participants in harnessing the elemental power of water for resilience, fire for transformation, and air for grounding and clarity. When these elements are combined, particularly in contrast training, the mind and body reach a state of harmony, allowing participants to move beyond stress and fear into a place of balance and inner strength.

This certification is globally accredited by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM), providing facilitators with a globally recognised qualification that meets international standards. This accreditation allows graduates to qualify for global insurance coverage, giving them the confidence and security to offer their services wherever they choose.

What You’ll Learn

Our facilitator training covers essential skills to help your participants navigate the challenges of cold water immersion, from managing the cold shock response to embracing discomfort with grace. You will also explore the role of heat exposure (fire) and breath (air) in preparing the body and mind for the cold, helping participants find their inner calm.

Key areas of focus include:

  • Breathing and its role in cold water immersion
  • Managing stress and fear with the support of the elements
  • Reducing the effects of cold shock response
  • Contrast training: moving between heat (fire) and cold (water), grounded in breath (air)
  • Relaxation and recovery techniques
  • Navigating discomfort and building resilience
  • Identifying contraindications and safety protocols
  • Conducting engaging workshops, safely with confidence

The Power of the Elements

The course draws on the primal wisdom of nature and the elements of water, fire and air:

  • Water: Lean into the element of Water in its purist form, to build mental and physical resilience. Teach clients to breathe through discomfort and handle stress more effectively using cold water immersion.
  • Air: Grounds and connects us through intentional breathwork, enabling us to influence our nervous systems to control stress, support recovery and deep relaxation.
  • Fire: Tap into the power of Fire to promote stillness, grounding, detoxification, improve circulation, and develop focus through sauna and heat training techniques.

Together, these elements create harmony, helping participants unlock inner strengths, awareness, control and clarity.

The Structure of the Course

This certification offers a flexible, accessible learning experience with options tailored to your needs:

Fully Online Training: Comprehensive lessons available to complete at your own pace from anywhere in the world 24/7.  The online course includes video presentations of the full day workshop, and you submit your 2 practical assessments by video upload.

  • Video presentations of the full day workshop
  • 20 hours of online learning
  • A theory exam
  • Completion of two practical prerequisites

Private blended Zoom / Online training One-on-one or small group sessions (up to 6 participants) for a more private and personal approach. The course includes live zoom presentations of the full day workshop, and you submit your 2 practical assessments by video upload.

  • Live Zoom presentation
  • 20 hours of online learning
  • A theory exam
  • Completion of two practical prerequisites.

In-Person Workshops: One-on-one or small group sessions (up to 6 participants) for an in person hands-on approach.

  • A full-day workshop with practical demonstrations.
  • 20 hours of online learning to build foundational knowledge.
  • A theory exam to ensure mastery of key concepts.
  • Completion of two practical prerequisites, preparing you for real-world application.
International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine
ACCREDITED TRAINING PROVIDER

Assessments

To successfully complete the Cold Water Immersion Instructor Certification, you will:

  1. Complete all online course lessons (20 hours of study).
  2. Gain 80% pass on the theory exam.
  3. Demonstrate prerequisite practical application by completing the following:
  • CWI 1 – Maintain a relaxed composure and controlled breathing for 3.30 (in water 3 degrees C or less)
  • CWI 2 – Complete 5 consecutive rounds 1min CWI / 1 minute rest in water 3 degrees C or less

Online students are required to record their prerequisite practical assessments in real time with no editing.  Then notify us and we will set up a folder for you to upload them. Once all assessment requirements are met you will be provided with your certification.

Creating a safe transformative experience

Cold Water Immersion, combined with breath control and contrast training, becomes more than a practice, it’s a journey of self-discovery and building of superior resilience. With this certification, you’ll be prepared to lead workshops that inspire, empower, and nurture well-being in your participants.

Begin your journey as a Cold Water Immersion Instructor today and guide others into the healing embrace of nature’s elements.

Gear Required

  • Swimmers
  • Towel for the ice bath
  • Comfortable loose clothing
  • Clothing to keep warm between your stints in the ice
  • Cushion, pillow or bolster to sit on
  • Hand towel
  • Hydration

Water Safety

NOTE: Never undertake breath hold training in the water alone! No water based drill should be attempted with out the direct supervision of a competent buddy who is a responsible and competent adult.

Highly recommend

Highly recommend the course to anyone looking to improve their breathing techniques. Jason and the team are doing an awesome job. Course is well presented and fun. Thank you to the team for an enjoyable course.
Alex Tearri

Excellent course

Excellent course highly recommended. Jason is a great instructor, and the course is super informative, well structured and fun. If you like to surf or dive you should do it.
Paul Liddell

Hold your breath under stress

It contains a lot of useful information about how breathing works and how to use this knowledge to your advantage. Then during the practice session you learn drills to help you train your body and mind to be more comfortable in situations where you have to hold your breath under stress.
Rob Arnold Bik