A misogi (禊) is a traditional Japanese Shinto practice of ritual purification, often involving cold water. The core idea is to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit through a challenging or extreme act—most famously by immersing oneself in freezing waterfalls, rivers, or the ocean.
In modern wellness and performance circles, misogi has evolved into a broader concept. It’s now often used to describe doing one physically or mentally demanding task per year—something so difficult that there’s a real chance of failure. The idea is to push your limits and reveal what you’re truly capable of.
Traditional Misogi:
- Standing under a cold waterfall
- Chanting and breathing rituals
- Practiced at shrines or in nature
- Focused on spiritual renewal
Modern Misogi Examples:
- Run or ride an ultra-distance race
- Carry a rock underwater for a mile
- Do a workout so difficult it scares you a little
- Plunge every day for a month
Core Principles:
- It should be hard enough that you might not finish.
- It’s meant to purify your mindset and increase mental toughness.
- It’s ideally done in nature or another space that enables you to remove distractions.
Think of it like a rite of passage—but self-imposed, with the goal of growth and transformation.
What’s Your Misogi?
This coming year, we want to challenge you to take on your own misogi. Do you have a goal in mind? For us, opening this business was one! I’m personally committing to training for and attempting an 840 mile mountain bike race in Morocco this coming February. But it doesn’t have to be that big. Your misogi could be to summit South Sister, run a 10k, or plunge every day for a month. Join us in committing to a Big Audacious Goal by declaring your misogi!