Today, I’d like to share an ongoing experiment from the retreat center we’ve been living at. My girlfriend and I have been trying out a hot-cold therapy, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned so far.
The Routine
Every day, we dedicate about an hour to this practice. Here’s what it looks like:
Preparation: Before starting our routine, we take binders like calcium bentonite clay to help latch onto impurities, making them easier to eliminate. We also mix in electrolytes to replenish essential minerals that might be lost during the process.
Heat Phase: We spend roughly 20 minutes in the sauna. The intense heat encourages deep sweating, which we believe helps flush out toxins—like heavy metals, microplastics, and other impurities we absorb from our everyday environment.
Cold Phase: Immediately after, we shift to a quick 2-5 minute cold plunge. This sudden cool-down boosts circulation and feels like a refreshing wake-up call for our system.
Repeat: In a normal one hour session we get in and out of the sauna a couple times and sometimes rinse off in the outdoor shower (yes, our shower is crafted from a tree stump!).
The Science Behind It
The idea is straightforward: the sauna heats the body, opening up pores and triggering a detox response, while the cold plunge contracts them again, stimulating blood flow and encouraging the body’s natural healing processes. While research on these methods is still evolving, our personal experience has been quite promising.
Energy and Inner Clarity
What’s particularly interesting is the energetic shift we notice after our sessions. There’s a subtle sense of lightness—almost like our internal energy gets a little lift. It feels as if the detox process also clears some mental clutter, making our meditation and yoga practices feel deeper and more focused.
Balancing Community and Solitude
Living at the retreat center has been teaching us how to be flexible in our routines, even while we strive for consistency in our practices. The retreat center offers a unique mix of experiences. During scheduled retreats, such as the one this past weekend, the space buzzes with the energy of guests and activities. At other times, we enjoy the quiet, expansive grounds to ourselves. This contrast has taught us that both lively interactions and peaceful solitude have their own benefits. The occasional buzz of activity brings fresh perspectives and shared energy, while the quiet days allow us to delve deep into our personal practice.
Integrating the Practice
What makes this routine particularly rewarding is how it integrates with other aspects of our wellness journey. We’ve found that:
The detox benefits enhance our physical agility, making our yoga and stretching sessions feel smoother.
The mental clarity we gain translates into more focused meditation sessions.
Overall, the practice creates a holistic balance that supports our body, mind, and even our subtle energy.