Hot Cold Happy at Water & Stone Wild Spa
If you are looking for a new kind of self care with a difference, opening your world to cold and hot immersion could be the key. Nordic inspired Sauna and Ice Bath Spa, Water and Stone could be the change you need.
Nestled amongst the wilds of the Cornish coastline, in Newquay, Cornwall offers a unique and immersive experience far beyond your usual swimming pool style sauna, and could be just the key you need to reset your mind, body and soul.
Within this hidden gem is the opportunity to reset your connection to nature and ability to wash away the chaos created in our often busy and overwhelming lifestyles. Creators, Alissa and Ross kindred-Elliott, have built a barefoot, screen-free environment to awaken your senses beyond the norm. Here, Alissa explains the benefits of cold and hot immersion through wood fired hot tubs, ice baths and sauna culture.
It seems like the latest wellness trend, with hosts of celebrities lowering themselves into icy water, and crying the benefits of regular sauna use, but the truth is that humans have been renewing themselves together through the ritual of sweat, heat and extreme cold for thousands of years the world over. There is even evidence of saunas being used in the British isles dating way back to the Bronze Age. Known as the Nordic bath, or Nordic Spa, the cycle of extreme heat and cold is increasing in global popularity, and offers us the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern living.
“The contrast of extreme hot and cold causes a cascade of reactions to almost every system in the body- most notably hormone production and the brain- giving an overall sense of euphoria and bliss.”
The contrast of extreme hot and cold causes a cascade of reactions to almost every system in the body- most notably hormone production and the brain- giving an overall sense of euphoria and bliss.
Whilst the cold water exposure boosts your dopamine levels, the stress of extreme heat in the sauna causes noradrenaline production which in turn increases your opioid receptors, put simply- the cold and the heat together both stimulate feel good hormones and increase your capacity for them- win win.
Clearly the experience is also fun, and we all need more of that in our lives! Especially in winter, we can get stagnant and bored, our bodies less accustomed to feeling the elements, and we can become a little disconnected.
A visit to a nordic spa will cut through the thickest of winter fog and make you feel alive again. Bare feet to the ground, hair blowing in the wind, goose pimple skin, flushed cheeks, steaming shoulders and head under the sky, you can’t help but feel more presence and sensation when your body is tingling from the cold and revelling in the heat of a wood-fired sauna or steamy hot tub soak.
Have you ever had a bath outdoors with your mates? Seeing that friend who swears they’d never, brave the freezing water of the ice bath and let out a scream, seeing their face contort and change, reactions as extreme as the change in temperature, can be a hilarious way to spend time reconnecting with your besties, co-workers or family.
So What’s involved?
A nordic spa cycle at Water and Stone begins with a warm outdoor shower, - you can use this as a mindful ritual to wash off all the moments that came before, and come into the present as you feel the sensations of water trickling over your skin.
Hot therapies include a handcrafted wood-fired sauna, and two 5-person wooden hot tubs. The wood-fired hot tubs offer a chance for stress relief & deep relaxation, as well as serving well to heat your entire body evenly- an important part of the cycle, as warm happy feet = warm happy people!
For bracing the cold Water & Stone have invested in a state of the art filtered ice bath, which can be cooled to a chilly 2degrees - (not for the feint of heart!) as well as a super fun drench bucket for post sauna refreshment, The stainless steel cold plunge dip tank, has a variable temperature slightly cooler than the air, so makes a good bridge between therapies for chilling down at your leisure.
The exact order in which you participate- cold, then hot, or hot then cold, is up to you and might depend on your intention for the session and what health & wellbeing goals you might have.
For example, world expert Dr Soeburg recommends starting with a sauna and ending on a cold if you want increased energy & focus, which might work well for a morning session, whereas if its relaxation you want then ending with the hot tubs or sauna will leave you in a lovely floaty state of mind perfect for relaxing further and having a deep nights sleep.
Regular users are encouraged to experiment with the cycles, and the advice is always to listen to your body first and foremost- if you feel cold, get out, if you’re too hot- get out! It’s also important to take time in between the therapies to let your body adjust and recover. Taking a seat, time to simply be in the elements is all part of the experience and contributes to the overall sense of adventure and wellbeing that enlivens your senses, particularly in these darker colder months.
“Fortunately, 'sauna' seems to make everything better. Studies show that sauna has a positive impact on nearly every system of the body, and that those who consistently participate in sauna are more balanced, healthier and happier for it." Thermal, Lindsay Bro.
The woodfired sauna takes inspiration from Finland & Lithuania- having an authentic experience is all about the steam- or loyly as it’s called in Finland. As the water hits the stones, a vapour is released into the air, which is then wafted down onto you by towels or whisks (usually birch branches), should you be lucky enough to visit whilst owner ross, sauna master Nick, or one of our sauna obsessed regulars are there. This is a far cry from a dry hotel sauna from the 70s- its a whole body experience that will transport you directly to the present moment, no matter how busy your mind.
Once you’ve had enough of the heat (recommended is not longer than 15 mins, but its best to listen to your body cues) its time to head outside again to cool off. You might choose a refreshing dunk from the drench bucket above, a quick bracing dip in the 6degree ice bath, or a breath taking plunge in the stainless steel dip tank. Then its time to heat & repeat in the sauna, or take a relaxing moment to soak in the hot tub. Usually visitors will complete 3-4 cycles before getting changed in the lotus bell tents and going about their days, or returning home to sleep like a baby.
A deeper sauna experience, such as the pirtis practise workshops held periodically, can open up space for deeply held traumas & emotions to surface safely with the sweat. This practise goes back thousands of years, and our sauna master is one of only a handful in the UK trained in the Lithuanian practise, utilising the elements of steam, heat, birch branch whisks, salt scrubs & inhalations and massage to bring about transformation in individuals and groups- a powerful shared experience quite unlike any other.
This practise goes back thousands of years, and our sauna master is one of only a handful in the UK trained in the Lithuanian practise, utilising the elements of steam, heat, birch branch whisks, salt scrubs & inhalations and massage to bring about transformation in individuals and groups- a powerful shared experience quite unlike any other.
Embracing the cold builds resilience- in fact the Finns have a particular word for it- ’Sisu’. Learning to lean into discomfort expands our capacity to feel, and when we expand our capacity to feel, we expand our capacity to live.
Top Ways The Nordic Spa Cycle can Change Your Life
Resets your body:
Boosts every system in your body - circulatory, respiratory, nervous system, hormones. Proven to improve sleep, boost blood flow, improve immunity, aid detoxification, weight loss, reduce pain, rejuvenate skin, improve cardiovascular function, speed metabolism, .
Refreshes your spirit:
Like a deep exhale, a nordic spa cycle offers us an opportunity to let go of what no longer serves us and connect with a higher source. Sauna has long been considered a sacred space used for many generations by indigenous peoples for ceremonial cleansing including birthing and preparations of the deceased. Being in its very nature a liminal space- the sweat lodge is considered a doorway into a world of deep healing and spiritual connection.
Revitalises your mind:
Stress busting powers of nordic spa are pretty extreme! Builds resilience, making you feel unstoppable.
Embodiment - minds can be busy places to hang out- extreme hot/cold shock cuts the thread of thought and brings you squarely into your body- you can’t help but stop worrying about the small stuff when your body is tingling all over.
Rejuvenates your soul:
It’s not uncommon for deeply help emotions to surface and release with the sweat, as you offer yourself a much needed moment to relax and let go. You come away feeling lighter, and more ready to take on lifes challenges.
It offers us a sacred space outside of the noise in day to day life where we can let off steam and sweat it all out, connect and transform, leaving every part of ourselves fully revitalised & renewed.
FIND OUT MORE…
We asked Tracy what her top resources are for extra insight into understanding Cold Water Swimming and Blue Mind…
FOLLOW: Find Water & Stone Wild Spa on Instagram to keep up to date with their events and experiences.
RESOURCE: Learn more about cold immersion from Winter Swimming: The Nordic Way Towards a Healthier and Happier Life
EXPERIENCE: Open the door to a new kind of self-care and book your spot with this Water & Stone Wild Spa.