Sacred Sanctuary: Nashville Welcomes Contrast Therapy with Open Arms

Contrast therapy — a practice that combines the extreme heat of a sauna with the chilly shock of a cold plunge — has gained popularity in Nashville. Though contrast therapy has been practiced for hundreds of years, Candice Bruder, founder of Pure Sweat Studios, was the first to bring it to Music City when the fifth Pure Sweat location opened in the Gulch last year.

Since then, the trend has grown into an all-out movement, as more Pure Sweat Studios with contrast therapy open nationally this year. And since 2017, other models have opened in Nashville or announced plans to. Hundreds of Nashvillians have become devoted to the practice, and its short- and long-term health benefits are myriad. 

Saunas

Sometime around 7000 B.C., the inhabitants of what is now modern-day Finland engineered a system to keep clean and escape the bitter winter — in a pit carved into the side of a hill. In the center of the pit, a fire heated a pile of rocks, which people sprinkled water over to create steam. These rudimentary shelters served as bathing houses, places for childbirth, and spaces to cleanse the dead. They became sanctuaries during the long winters, offering a sacred and much-needed escape. 

Saunas, as they are known today, became an integral part of Finnish culture. And as the world evolved, so did the sauna. During the Industrial Revolution, technology advanced to allow for metal wood-burning stoves with chimneys, creating better ventilation and safer practices. In the 1950s, saunas found rapid popularity in the United States as their health benefits became more widely known. In 2000, UNESCO added sauna culture to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Cold Plunges

Cold plunges and cold water immersion have been embraced by cultures for centuries. The earliest mention of the practice dates back to 3500 B.C. Ancient Greeks found cold water immersion ideal for relaxation, and the practice fostered socialization during communal baths. Physician James Currie is noted to have used cold water immersion to treat fevers, and Thomas Jefferson soaked his feet in buckets of ice water every morning —  maintaining the practice, which he said aided his health and stimulated his mind, for 60 years.

For some, cold plunges are best kept to an annual dip with a Polar Bear Club or a quick swim done on a dare. But throughout Finland, Sweden and Norway, cold water immersion is part of the culture and is taken seriously as a tradition of wellness.

Health

Research on the use of saunas is extensive, and studies suggest that regular sauna bathing may have several benefits. A review by the Mayo Clinic suggests that devotees of sauna use saw improvements in vascular health, stress reduction and more. Others have found the practice to improve some skin conditions and boost cognitive function.

The exploration of the health benefits of cold water immersion is equally promising: Studies have found that cold plunges and ice bathing can aid muscle and soft tissue injury recovery, trigger the release of endorphins and decrease inflammation. Today, the practice is used widely throughout the sports and entertainment industries and has become a staple at top spas throughout the world. 

Studios

Pure Sweat Sauna Studio, The Gulch

Nestled in the heart of the Gulch, Pure Sweat Sauna Studio is an ideal escape after a workout or a busy holiday season. Entering the inviting contrast therapy suite, guests are bathed in gentle, meditative music, which sets the tone for the next hour. 

Instruction cards are thoughtfully placed in the suite alongside meditation prompts to aid those who find disconnecting from the world for 20-45 minutes a challenge. A shower is also provided for the sauna-to-cold-plunge transition. 

The studio offers a variety of ways to experience contrast therapy. Some practitioners opt for 45 minutes in the sauna and five minutes in the cold plunge, while others prefer alternating between 20 minutes in the sauna and five minutes in the plunge. The studio also offers supplementary packages, like kits to promote detoxification or to boost immunity. 

Pause Studio

Set with intention, the interior design of Pause Studio — a wellness studio recently opened in Green Hills — creates an oasis and escape from the everyday. Soft white walls, rich wood saunas and quiet lighting set the stage for a holistic experience. 

Pause offers contrast suites for two to four guests, and each suite includes a sauna with a cold plunge pool and showers. One of Pause Studio’s expert team members guides clients through each practice and is on hand to answer any questions that arise.

Guests are also invited to add services to their sessions for a better wellness experience. With a variety of options — like contrast therapy, float therapy, cryotherapy, compression therapy, IV drips and more — on offer, stacking services is a seamless process. 

Framework

Centered on the traditional practice of sauna and cold plunge therapy, Finnish-inspired Framework offers a contrast therapy oasis in the new Nashville hotspot Wedgewood-Houston. With private and communal experiences — and indoor and outdoor saunas and baths — available, Framework invites its guests to customize their time at the spa from start to finish. 

The studio’s saunas are custom-designed by Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna out of Duluth, Minn., and feature thermally modified ash and cedar woods and imported Finnish heaters. 

Framework’s unique amenities continue with Nashville’s first nonalcoholic cafe. There, guests can extend the social and health benefits of contrast therapy with homemade and thoughtfully curated juices, teas and mocktails.