For Vancouverites, the pinnacle of luxury has traditionally been a sunny vacay to Hawaii or maybe Bali. But the same warmth and vitality is available a lot closer to home with a trip to the sauna. In sauna culture, the experience typically includes cycling through saunas, sometimes steam rooms or hot tubs and cold baths, which leave people feeling invigorated. While famous cold dippers like Wim Hof have helped proclaim the benefits of cold plugning, which boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, improves sleep and connects us with our natural spirituality, there are also (thankfully!) many therapeutic benefits of the sauna alone. Here are four amazing saunas around Vancouver.
A Lower Mainland spa institution, Scandinave Spa is located about two hours from downtown Vancouver and is a beautiful spot to relax and reset. For about $140, you’ll get access to their beautiful saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and cold baths, and you’ll have no prob spending a few hours here, cycling through all of their lovely facilities. This is meant to be a silent experience, and talking is discouraged. If you’re looking for rejuvenation, you’ll find it here in the snow capped hills.
A very casual, clothing optional (eek!) Korean family spa that’s beloved by it’s regulars, JJ Family Spa offers hot tubs, saunas, cold baths and rooms like the Himalayan Pink Salt room or Charcoal room. This place is NOT fancy (it’s only $19 a visit) but it’s clean and amazing. For $100, you can get their famed one-hour Korean body scrub and hair shampoo, which will leave you feeling cleaner than you’ve ever felt in your life. Just know that the scrubs are done completely in the buff. Try something new every day, right?
One of the OG places to go for a sauna in Vancouver, Hastings Reflexology & Sauna is a down-to-earth and clean (not glam) place to experience Finish style saunas and steam rooms, along with reflexology and Shiatsu (think therapeutic vs. relaxation!). You can book one of their private saunas but even the public spaces ensure you’ve got a lot of privacy. For $62, you’ll get a 50 minute reflexology massage + access to the saunas for an hour. Bargain.
Near Burnaby in New West, the Art of Sauna is a beautiful space offering eight thermal rooms, with options like the Eucalyptus Steam Room, and the dry Finnish Sauna. You’ll also find cold showers and relaxation areas to enjoy. Admission to the spa gives you two hours of spa use and costs about $50CAD, tax included. A lovely way to spend a couple of hours.
A trip to the sauna is a favourite embodiment practices. If you’re motivated to give your well-being a boost this year, this Intuition Test is a helpful place to begin, and if you’re looking for regular wellness inspiration, this weekly email guide brings a beacon of wellness light to your inbox. —Monica Krake
Written for VITA by Monica Krake, founder of Head + Heart, your guide to living aligned.
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