We don’t get into the ice to get good at ice baths. We get into the ice to get good at life.
COLD IMMERSION THERAPY
the ice can be your greatest teacher
You can learn to sit in discomfort with your body. You can train your mind. You can learn to consciously regulate your breath. And remember what it feels like to accomplish a hard goal.
Developing an ice bath practice can help train your mind and body for stressful situations.
And those lessons will pour into your life in truly incredible ways.
FOR everyone and anyoneCasual Contrast
2 hour max • $75 + HST - coming soonExperience the power of contrast therapy at a rhythm that works for you!
In this contrast therapy session, you can experience a self guided (or guided) flow between our sauna and cold tubs. For your Casual Contrast session enjoy a 2 hour time frame moving between our 25 person custom steam sauna and plunging in one or all three of our custom cold tubs. Each tub is a different temperature ranging from cold (15-20) degrees, to in between cold (6-12) degrees, to our coldest (2-5) degrees. Our tubs are a custom tile design, each representing a spiritually significant animal.
mOve inwards Breathwork
60 minutes • $65 + HST- coming soonTrust in your own healing that’s within your body. Trust your breath.
Our weekly guided breathwork sessions will be facilitated by certified breath instructors. Consisting of a 60 minute guided breath class ranging in different styles of breathwork. Everything from up-regulating your nervous system to come to a place of awakeness and clarity, to releasing stuck emotions and trauma in the body, to a gentle nervous system down regulation accompanied by meditative body scan and visualisations.
bond with your peoplePrivate group event
3 hours • $120/person + HST • up to 20 people - coming soonPlanning a group activity for your family, friends or colleagues? For the Love of Ice offers a one-of-a-kind, powerful bonding experience for your tribe.
We’ve hosted many celebrations and team building events, including ladies/men’s nights, birthdays, bachelorette/bachelor parties, corporate retreats, and more.
Please get in touch to discuss dates and options for your group event.
What are the benefits of cold exposure?
Eases symptoms of depression and anxiety
Contributes to weight loss
Reduces muscle aches, joint pain and helps in recovery
Strengthens immune system
Supports addiction recovery
Improves alertness and energy
Enhances the ability to control breathing through times of physical stress
Supports healing from trauma and PTSD
Reduces inflammation
Increases libido
Supports hormone regulation
Improves sleep
why cold exposure works
Exposure to cold is known to activate the sympathetic nervous system and increase the blood level of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline, and to increase synaptic release of noradrenaline in the brain as well. Noradrenaline is a neurotransmitter of the brain that plays an essential role in the regulation of arousal, attention, cognitive function, and stress reactions. Increasing noradrenaline can make you more focused and provides a sense of euphoria.
Along with the radical increase in norepinephrine during cold therapy, short periods of mild hypothermia also activate a release of dopamine in your brain. This, paired with soaring levels of norepinephrine, explain why you can’t help but smile and feel incredible after you’ve plunged into a cold bath.
You might also experience a huge burst of motivation and determination, which can last long after your cold water plunge.
STUDIO EXPERIENCES
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I’ve had 2 amazing experiences here so far and plan to have more!
“Gillian is amazing, caring and very knowledgeable. She makes the experience of cold plunging much less intimidating for a beginner and helps guide you the whole time.”
– Jennifer Morris
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"This was one of the most empowering and amazing things I have ever experienced."
“Gillian is such a kind soul, and was so knowledgeable about cold exposure. Being able to control your own mind, and your reflexeswas something that was so life changing for me.”
- Jazmin Eckenswiller
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"Ever since I have started ice baths my depression and anxiety has subsided substantially."
“I will continue to see Gillian monthly as I truly believe in what she does and the way I feel doesn’t lie!”
- Lindsay Patterson
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“I felt energized, recharged and ready to take on anything.”
“This experience was completely out of my comfort zone but Gill was absolutely amazing. She guided me through all of it and the overall experience was so empowering.”
- Jessica Eliason
FAQs
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If you’ve ever sat in an ice bath, you’re going to experience that cold shock every single time.
Someone who has been regularly exposing their body with deliberate cold exposure will go through less of a fight or flight response.
The end result is the same. We will all still experience a stressor on the body and that is the point of this practice.
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Cold exposure, such as an ice bath, has lots of effects on the human body, in particular regarding metabolism and weight loss. When exposed to cold environments, we rely on an increased thermogenic rate to offset the change in temperature or environment, part of our constant fight to return to homeostasis and maintain a stable core body temperature.
Exposure to cold temperatures has been proven to convert white fat cells to brown fat cells. White fat cells being a low metabolic fat cell and brown fat cells being a high metabolic fat cell.
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Breath work is a beautiful opening that primes your nervous system in preparation for the ice bath. It is an essential part of the practice that enhances the impact of the cold exposure. How often do you solely focus on just your breath?
It’s a vital part of our bodies, and plays a huge role in our nervous system and immunology.
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Sitting in a sauna four times a week at temperatures 160℃ or higher, for only 20 minutes at a time, will drastically change your overall health. Regularly sitting in a sauna will reduce your chance of heart attack by over 51%, reduce your chance of stroke by over 62%, and reduce the likelihood of dying by 50%.
Other benefits include detoxification, improved cardiovascular function, improved immune function, increased metabolism, weight loss, pain reduction, antiaging, skin rejuvenation, improved sleep, stress management and relaxation.
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Personally, I like to plunge in the morning!
Starting your day off with something really difficult and uncomfortable means the rest of your day will be a breeze and your future-self will thank you.
Plus, plunging 60 minutes after your morning coffee will increase your dopamine receptors and increase the effects of dopamine. This gives you that increase in energy, drive, motivation and focus.
That said, I offer sessions at all times of day so you can choose a time that works best for your life.
