Fire & Ice: Heal from the Inside, Out Yoga and Hike Retreat in New Hampshire, USA

The setting in the White Mountains adds a magical touch to this experience. The contrast between the cool, crisp air outside and the warm, birch-scented sauna inside creates a unique and rejuvenating atmosphere. Stepping into the sauna, you feel the immediate warmth enveloping you, inducing a soothing sensation. The act of sweating not only brings comfort but also serves as a cleansing process, releasing toxins from your body. It’s a mindful moment, allowing you to appreciate the health benefits and the positive impact on your well-being.

Exiting the sauna and braving the cold ice bath might seem challenging, but the awareness of the potential health benefits empowers you! The shock of the cold water contrasts sharply with the warmth of the sauna, creating a refreshing and invigorating cycle for your body. With controlled breathing, you embrace the cold, knowing that you are doing something beneficial for your body and mind.

Warming up by the bonfire adds a social aspect to this experience. Sharing stories and experiences with new friends around the crackling flames creates a sense of camaraderie. The bonfire becomes a focal point for connection, laughter, and the shared appreciation of the unique activities of the weekend. Alternatively, retreating to a cozy indoor space to journal allows for personal reflection and introspection. Capturing the thoughts and feelings of the moment on paper solidifies the positive experiences, making them even more memorable.

Overall, the weekend promises not only physical rejuvenation but also a deep sense of well-being and connection. The combination of magical winter wonderland surroundings, wellness activities, and social interactions sets the stage for a truly fulfilling and memorable experience.

Benefits of the Nordic Cycle/Hot & Cold Therapy:

Increased blood flow volume

Switching from hot saunas to cold tubs causes the body to naturally increase the volume of blood flow. This happens when the body naturally constricts and dilates blood vessels. This effect also helps to improve vascular and cardiac response.

Detox your body naturally

Quickly transitioning from a hot sauna to an ice plunge causes your body’s lymphatic system to get started. This system works to flush away toxins throughout your system, promoting cellular regeneration and ridding the body of the harmful byproducts of hard workouts.

Natural skin rejuvenation

The cold plunge stage of contrast therapy makes skin pores rapidly minimize, helping halt oil production that causes skin issues. This can help reduce acne, pimples, blackheads, and even prevent blemishes. If blemishes are already an issue, contrast therapy is helpful for reducing any swelling and redness to provide soothing relief for irritated skin. Cold exposure is a great way to keep acne from getting worse by effective inflammation reduction.

Optimizes blood circulation

Quickly switching between hot and cold conditions jumpstarts the body’s responses, leading to the alternating between constriction and dilation of blood vessels. Aside from boosting blood flow for higher performance, it also improves vascular and cardiac response.

Flushes lactic acid from muscles

Working out really hard creates lactic acid build-up in the muscles, causing pain and soreness. This painful side-effect can make it tempting to skip the workout. Helping reduce lactic acid pain normally requires rest, plenty of water, and increasing magnesium intake. We now know that contrast therapy is one of the best ways to quickly reduce lactic acid buildup. Studies have found that contrast therapy can help prevent too much lactic acid buildup, helping people recover from soreness and fatigue faster.

Faster fatigue recovery and enhanced energy levels

One study In 2017 found that alternating between hot saunas and cold plunge tubs helped team sports players recover from fatigue within 24-48 hours of their game. However, it was also found that using an ice bath alone didn’t reproduce these results, indicating hot sauna and cold plunging works better when combined than alone.

Can help prevent DOMS (Delayed onset muscle soreness)

Anyone who has suffered from DOMS knows working out is next to impossible once it sets in. When muscle soreness from intense workouts days earlier happens, it can hurt sports performance and increase the risk of injury. Studies have shown that contrast therapy helps lessen the effects of DOMS, reducing its severity in athletes when regularly practiced.

Helps minimize inflammation

Combining time in hot saunas with ice plunges can help reduce inflammation in the joints and muscles. It can also help with autoimmune disorders that cause inflammation in the body.

May help reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia

A 20-year, 2,300 participant study by Dr. Jari Laukkanen and his colleagues at the University of Eastern Finland revealed that routine sauna sessions helped lower the chances that participants would suffer from both Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.