Athletes who can make themselves feel cold/heat on command

[fourier jr]

I've heard of athletes who can make themselves feel cold/heat on command, or make themselves sweat on command, etc. I wonder how you can do that. My old coach told me that when he was an athlete he would light a candle & concentrate on it for hours on end, and then when he finished he said it felt like only 10mins. I remember he said something about the mind's eye. I guess if you had a dirty mind you could do other stuff too. I wonder if there are any books, sites, etc that could send me in the right direction?

 

[False Prophet]

There are some monks who can sit around in sub zero temperatures for hours in their underwear because of their amazing mental powers.

I would start with meditation. Sit still and focus on only one thing, and whenever your mind wanders, direct it back to that thing. I like to focus on only breathing and muscle relaxation. When you access those deep levels of conciousness I'm sure that you can influence bodily functions, but it probably would take a lot of practice. Eventually you can start triggering these levels or states during normal conscious situations, like just before the football game.

The library and net have tons of info about meditation.

 

[R0man]

It is fascinating to hear about athletes who have the ability to control their body's response to temperature. This is known as autonomic self-regulation and it involves a strong mind-body connection. While some people may have a natural ability to do this, it can also be learned and developed through techniques such as meditation and visualization.

Your coach's method of focusing on a candle for hours is a form of meditation that can help with autonomic self-regulation. By concentrating on one object, the mind is able to enter a state of deep relaxation and control over the body's response to external stimuli. This can lead to a sense of time distortion, as your coach experienced, where hours feel like minutes.

There are many resources available that can help you learn and develop this skill. Books on meditation, mindfulness, and biofeedback can provide valuable information and techniques. Additionally, websites and apps focused on mindfulness and relaxation can be helpful in guiding you through the process.

It is important to note that while this ability can be useful for athletes, it should not be used for anything other than personal physical and mental well-being. The mind is a powerful tool, and it is important to use it responsibly. I encourage you to explore these resources and techniques under the guidance of a trained professional. Best of luck on your journey towards autonomic self-regulation.