Intentional Cold Exposure ACADEMY
  • 70 hours of in-person instruction
  • with educational leave (employees in Berlin and Brandenburg)
What is the vision of the ICE Academy?
The vision of the ICE Academy is to train competent ICE Coaches—instructors who can confidently and safely guide others through the transformative experience of cold exposure, combining mindfulness, science, and practical know-how.

What is Intentional Cold Exposure?
Intentional Cold Exposure (ICE) is a mindful and safe way to engage with cold for self-chosen goals or purposes. Cold exposure can serve many different intentions: it can support physical or mental health, act as a challenge, aid in recovery, be used as meditation, serve as a group ritual, foster personal growth, or deepen one’s connection with nature.The specific practice varies depending on the individual and their goals. For instance, a long ice bath can provide a profound mental challenge and strengthen mindset, while shorter, regular ice baths may be enough to enhance overall health.
The ICE approach emphasizes understanding the science, practice, and safety of cold exposure, while learning adaptable principles that allow each person to find their own path with the cold. ICE is not a rigid method; it is a versatile, dynamic practice that can be tailored to individual intentions and needs.

Who is the ICE Academy for?
The ICE Coach training is designed for anyone passionate about cold exposure who wants to guide others in a safe, mindful, and effective way. This includes fitness trainers, physiotherapists, doctors, wilderness educators, yoga teachers, naturopaths, survival instructors, and other health or wellness professionals.

Admission criteria for the ICE Coach training
Applicants should have at least one winter of experience with ice baths and the ability to relax in the cold. A first-aid certificate not older than two years is also required.
Prior experience working with people is not mandatory; our training provides the necessary knowledge and practical experience to safely and mindfully guide others into the cold. Business, marketing, or startup consulting is not part of the ICE training.

How do I apply?
Please send an email with your motivation for the training to [email protected]

ICE COACH Training

Apply for 2027
​Course Language: English
Early Bird: €2,750 incl. VAT, including overnight stay in a double room & full board
The training takes place in two modules over two long weekends at Rosenwaldhof near Potsdam.
​We offer 15 participants the opportunity to become an ICE Coach.
Daily Schedule:
07:30 AM – Relaxation exercises
08:15 AM – Breakfast
09:30 AM – Teaching block I
12:30 PM – Lunch
02:00 PM – Teaching block II
06:30 PM – Dinner
08:00 PM – Meditation & group discussion
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Please plan to arrive by 2:00 PM on the first day.
​Departure on the last day is scheduled after lunch.
Admission Criteria for ICE Coach Training:
  • Applicants should have at least one winter of experience with ice baths and the ability to relax in the cold.
  • A first-aid certificate not older than two years is also required.
  • Personal motivation is essential for this training. Please submit your application by sending a brief motivational email to [email protected].
The ICE Coach training at the ICE Academy is a recognized educational program (in accordance with §10, paragraph 1, sentence 3 of the Berlin Educational Leave Act), giving participants the possibility to request educational leave from their employer.

Modul 1

Arrival/Departure: 2:00 PM

Module 1: 2 full days + 2 half-days
Objective: Equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills to safely guide people into ice baths, with a focus on supporting beginners.
​

​Topics (selection):
  • The science of cold exposure: physiological effects, health benefits, and how to explain the science
  • Safety considerations, contraindications, and potential side effects
  • Relaxation techniques for cold exposure
  • Practical coaching exercises
  • Principles for guiding participants before, during, and after an ice bath
  • Hands-on experience with various forms of ice baths

Interim Period 

We encourage participants to start building a community by forming a small practice group. 
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Interim Period: keep 5 Coaching days free
Objective: Participants guide beginners into cold baths while documenting key observations & questions, using seasonal changes for a safe, gradual introduction to cold exposure.

Modul 2  

Arrival/Departure: 2:00 PM

Module 2: 3 full days + 2 half-days
Objective: Build on the knowledge and experience gained in Module 1, refine coaching skills, explore advanced aspects of cold exposure, and complete the final assessment for certification.​

Topics (selection):
  • Guiding people in challenging situations
  • Various forms of cold exposure (meditation, cold air exposure)
  • Cold exposure as a ritual to connect with nature
  • Review of knowledge, teaching, and coaching skills
  • Final test & certification

Terms, Pricing & Cancellation Policy

The prices quoted include vegan-vegetarian meals and beverages. Your travel to and from the venue is not included. We are happy to assist in organizing carpooling. Cancellations must be made in writing at least four weeks before the start of the seminar (Module I); in this case, 50% of the course fee will be refunded. Cancellations within four weeks of the seminar start date (Module I) are non-refundable. Since Modules I & II are designed for a fixed group of 15 participants, no partial refund for Module II is possible in case of illness. We therefore recommend taking out seminar cancellation insurance—for example, the CourseSeminarConference CancellationCover of Europäische Reiseversicherung. 

 Additional Module: ICE Mountain

APPLICATION PHASE 
Winter 2026 / 2027
​Course Language: English
Date, location & cost: to be announced 
For this module to take place, we need at least 6 participants who meet the admission criteria. 

​We are planning 8 full days plus arrival and departure days, with an estimated cost of approx. €2,750.

If you’re interested, write to us — further information will be provided upon request.
Admission criteria for the ICE-Berg advanced module
  • You have at least one year of experience as an ICE Coach or Wim Hof Instructor (Level I)
  • Ideally, you have already taught challenging ice baths and a weekend retreat
  • You have personally participated in a mountain ascent as a participant
  • You are in good to excellent physical and mental condition. During the training, we will undertake several cold hikes with elevation gains of up to 500 meters.

Your Teachers 

Douwe van den Berg
Douwe discovered his love for cold water in 2010 in China, when only cold water was available to him for months during his Kung Fu training. He loves the challenge and the vibrant feeling after cold exposure. Soon, he began taking people along wherever he found cold water—from the beaches of the Netherlands to Arctic Finland. Since then, he has guided thousands of people from many different countries.
Through his passion for cold water, Douwe came into contact in 2012 with the pioneer of a well-known cold-exposure and breathing method, combining ice, breathwork, and mindset. In 2015, he became one of the first instructors of this method, which was still relatively unknown at the time. Douwe accompanied this method’s founder on many adventures and, between 2017 and 2023, trained more than 500 new instructors. In 2026, Douwe stepped away from the method and is now fully focused on implementing his own ideas and values within the ICE Academy.

Dr. Josephine Worseck
In 2016, Josephine supervised a study on a by-now popular cold-exposure and breathing method, during which the method’s founder personally encouraged her to take her first ice bath. She was deeply impressed by the transformative power of cold, which led her to leave the academic world in 2017 to fully dedicate herself to the practical application and teaching of cold exposure.
Her book “The Healing Power of Cold” (2020) is the result of her new passion and extensive knowledge in this field.
As an experienced author, speaker, and cold expert, Josephine supports individuals, associations, and companies in harnessing the healing effects of cold.

A Family Enterprise
Douwe and Josephine met through their shared passion for cold. Since 2017, they have worked and lived together and have a son. Through guiding thousands of people at national and international events and the growing media hype around cold, they felt the need to create a German-language training program with high safety and quality standards. The ICE Academy aims to provide well-trained instructors who promote safety, knowledge, and mindfulness in dealing with cold, while fostering the joy of exploring and experiencing this fascinating element.
Our ICE Coach training equips you with a strong foundation to safely minimize potential risks and create customized cold-exposure protocols for a variety of purposes—whether building stress resilience, enhancing strength and endurance performance, or supporting specific health conditions. We’ll also show you how to seamlessly integrate cold training into your existing practice, whether you’re a trainer, physiotherapist, naturopath, or work in another wellness field.

What our training covers:
  • A broad overview of methods and philosophies in cold training
  • The science behind cold exposure and its effects
  • Personal experiences, self-development, and continuous growth as a coach
  • Identifying and managing risks and contraindications
  • Implementing safety measures for a secure training environment
  • Coaching techniques for creating a positive and supportive experience
  • One-on-one vs. group coaching
  • Understanding group dynamics and leading groups effectively

Our certification program is built on the latest scientific insights and is regularly updated. Certified instructors are encouraged to continue their professional development, ensuring they maintain their certification and provide participants with the highest standard of guidance.