Hot. Cold. Relax! The one and only Nordic style bathhouse to take root in Asheville is Sauna House, where the protocol is so easy anyone can follow along. Nordic bathhouse is defined as the ‘experience of sauna’ and the practice is ‘lagom’ meaning not too much, not too little. Team Asheville Date Night Guide was lucky enough to have the opportunity to dip in, chill out and all I can say is how much fun it all was and I cannot wait to go back.
Is it just a Sauna House?
Simplicity is the theme throughout the bathhouse, making your sauna experience as easy as possible. If massage is on your mind, the Sauna House brand makes it easy to find on the straight forward menu. Choose from 45, 60, 90 and 120-minute massages by one of the skilled professional massage therapists. Just wanna sit by the sauna? Make it a bathhouse date by purchasing the single visit pass for two.
What is the Sauna House?
You begin your Nordic bathhouse experience by showering your day away removing any lotions, perfumes, makeup, etc. before heading to the ‘hot’ portion of the routine, a Finnish sauna for fifteen minutes of warm serenity. I personally applaud this very important step to remove the extra layer we humans tend to pile on. My ability to let it all go was increased knowing everyone has to do this necessary step. And because you are assigned a number at check-in, the organization in this simple sauna house is top-notch. Hang your personal robe under your assigned numeral and head into the perfectly heated sauna.
To be sure you don’t overheat, Sauna House has strategically placed an hourglass fifteen-minute timer to ensure you only cook to medium and not well done. What was great about this little private space was that it gave us permission to chit chat or relax and meditate. Either way – I knew this is what I needed in my life. Settling into the heat felt so amazing down to the bone – our body and minds easily soaked up the warm air like sponges.
Time to cool off
Just as you notice yourself becoming a little too hot, it’s time to step out and full-body rinse under the Nordic Cooling shower to rid the sweat before you take the Icelandic plunge! When you embark on your one to three minutes of tolerated cold water plunge, we highly recommend just jumping into the 50-degree water to jolt your cells back into life. For me, this essential cold part of the process was what made the next step so wonderful – pure relaxation.
Finally, unadulterated bliss – you rest, relax and rehydrate for fifteen minutes before repeating this cycle two to three more times. Whether you choose the perfectly molded, warm concrete chairs or the bamboo loungers, either way, the experience is divine. So many adjectives, so little time. Somehow this simple process of hot to cold forces the stressors of everyday life to melt away. Gone, zip, zilch.
For Samm, the biggest shock was noticing the difference in how she felt after each cycle in her ability to just let go. Let go of all the stress, all the drama, and all the expectations that life can hold. We both were able to sit down, shut up and become blissfully happy as we sipped our hot tea chosen when we checked in. Also available, Dram Apothecary All Natural Sparkling Water. My favorite, the Dram Lemongrass + CBD.
Clearlight Infrared Sauna
The newest addition to Sauna House is the downstairs lounging zone. When you’re ready to enhance your experience, head down the stairs to a new calming space where you will also discover Clearlight Infrared Sauna as well as an additional Finnish sauna. Infrared is not a concept many people know about so we happily performed a test drive of this state of the art experience and it was heavenly. Not only is the infrared sauna a sleek, modern designed for two, it warms your body slowly giving you long exposure and ample opportunity to relax, absorbing its healing qualities.
For anyone with an autoimmune disease, Lyme disease, or if you’re seeking a heavy metal detox, the infrared sauna is your friend. Clearlight infrared technology provides a valuable wavelength capable of penetrating your cells slowly, warming your anatomy from within, therefore encouraging your body to release deep toxins.
Unplug and Relax! It is something everyone is allowed to do and finally, in Asheville, Sauna House is conveniently implementing an efficient way for locals and visitors alike to indulge in the Nordic way to self-care. Hot. Cold. Relax. Repeat.
Bonus round: One of the major perks to Sauna House is the affordability for locals. Flash your proof of local residency, bring your own towel and you’ll get a discount to enjoy the sauna.
Sauna House
230 Short Coxe Avenue
Asheville NC, 28801
Book a massage or have a question? (828) 505-6393
[email protected]
Hours:
Everyday: 10am – 9pm
Except Wednesday: CLOSED
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