Any possibility to put some Zen focus into my first experience with 'Dousing' was lost when my wife followed me out into the backyard. " What exactly do you plan to do?" She inquired closely observing me fill the plastic buckets from the local Dollar Store. The interrogation continued as I carefully placed the buckets in a neat row and removed my sandals and robe. Jeneene has always been an incredible wife; always supportive of my work with The School of Two Swords and this affectation I've had with edged weapons. Never a complaint when a new weapon went up on the walls of her house or the long weekends she endured attending seminars with me. Now, from her tone, I could see she was rapidly approaching the saturation point and somewhat doubted my sanity. " I've had one 'Hell' of a Day already and now you are going to do What ?" Once again I explained, trying to use all those persuasive words that my friend Pete Kautz had used on the Alliance web-site. "What was that Russian's name ?" I forgot it immediately when my bare feet hit the cold ground. Eyeing the surgery scar on my chest and with a look as cold as the ground, she inquired . " You want me to just call 911…..Right? Well, that was enough, I had some doubts about this anyway and besides, it takes a whole hell-of-a lot of courage to pour cold water over one's head while standing outside in 40 degree temperature. "Just hold my damn robe and be prepared to hand me the towel." I growled, sprinkling water from my hands onto my face.

A couple of Chi breaths and I was ready. The first bucket was a jolt but after that my breathing became smooth. Yes, it was cold, no doubt about that but my mind was definitely clearer . The second bucket did not have the same affect, again chilled but the effect of it coursing down my body was very smooth and almost soothing. The third and final bucket was a different feel entirely, it was almost warm. I felt that if I had used five buckets the final one would have really felt great.

A quick towel-off and into the house with my relieved wife. " No dear, I did not die !" In fact, I felt great ! The normal aches and pains in my back and knees were gone……interesting. Probably the most profound feeling was a wonderful presence of mind and none of the after work stupor that normally accompanies my evening work-outs. I rolled though my stretching and breathing exercises with new energy. My work-out was the best in years. I felt like I was 18 again….well maybe 35. One thing for sure this there is something definitely going on with cold water therapy. I don't have all the answers but I will tell you this, it is now a regular part of my health regiment and will continue so.