Welcome to Element Outdoor Sauna
Your private, outdoor contrast therapy experience.
What you should know
This is NOT a spa.
And you’ll feel f*cking amazing.
Are you ready to experience the natural high your body is capable of producing?
In a world where we’re used to turning to outside stimulation to get energy or reduce anxiety, Element Outdoor Sauna offers a space to reconnect with yourself, to challenge yourself, and leave feeling like a brand new human.
What is Contrast Therapy?
Contrast Therapy is the science of using alternating hot and cold exposure to optimize health.
Through the processes of vasodilation and vasoconstriction, you encourage your circulatory system and lymphatic system to flow as they should, delivering nutrients and clearing wastes from the body.
Furthermore, the extreme temperatures activate an array of proteins in the body that improve immunity, hormone balance and stress response.
Some of the benefits of contrast therapy include:
reduced inflammation
faster recovery
improved metabolic health
improved mood
The Un-Spa Philosophy
Element Outdoor Sauna is all about embracing challenge, building resilience, and reconnecting with yourself through simplicity.
We are open year round, rain or shine, and yes, even during winter. There’s no music, books or distractions. It’s just you and the elements.
Your session is a time for you to be still, reflect, breathe, and sharpen your mindset. In our modern world filled with conveniences and crutches, you get to rediscover your body’s wild wisdom.
Your mind knows how to be still. Your body knows how to regulate itself. All you need to do is come back to nature.
What makes Element different?
Spas
Most spas offer little guidance in terms of how to use the heat and cold correctly. People are left to their own devices, and often overdo the heat (which can damage the mitochondria), and under utilize the cold. Also, most cold tubs are not cold enough to trigger some of the greatest benefits that cold exposure can offer.
Element Outdoor Sauna
At Element, you’re guided by a Certified Thermalist® on how to optimize your heat and cold exposure based on your unique health concerns or goals. The temperatures are more challenging than your average spa, but you’ll learn breathwork and mindset techniques to help you conquer your fears. Lastly, your session is fully private, meaning you get valuable time to go inward to deepen your relationship with yourself and your body.
What You Get
You’ll have access to
Private Rooftop Experience
Located in the heart of Toronto’s Danforth neighbourhood, Element offers you a private rooftop experience where it’s just you and an open sky. Wear your swimsuit, or wear nothing at all. Feel the sun, the rain, the wind, and the glorious feeling of being alive.
Finnish Barrel Sauna
This hand-crafted, Scandinavian sauna offers dry heat, while its circular shape ensures optimal air flow.
Dry heat is the safest because it allows the skin to properly register the temperature and respond with sweating, without overheating and risking heat exhaustion.
Two levels of seating allows for a slight temperature difference, so you can choose how much you want to challenge yourself.
The clear glass front means you can enjoy looking out at the weather through all seasons.
Morozko Forge Prism Ice Bath
This state of the art ice bath offers you the world’s coldest cold plunge. Using micro-filtration and ozonation to ward off pathogens, this tub is one hundred percent chemical-free.
The addition of epsom salts means the water can sit at 0 degrees celsius without freezing. This tub will challenge you, and offer you benefits you can’t get anywhere else.
Morozko manufactures their tubs with specialized steel that mimics the earth’s grounding effects. It promotes activation of the parasympathetic nervous system and leaves you feeling calmer and more resilient.
Private Change Room and Shower
That’s right, you don’t have to share. Guests of Element Outdoor Sauna have their own private bathroom, complete with lockers, shower and towels.
Sessions
Sessions can accommodate one, two or three people. Come solo, bring a partner, or bring some friends.
Basic Contrast Therapy Session - 50 minutes
Full access to facilities (private change room, sauna, ice bath, outdoor resting area)
Basic guidance on utilizing the space and how to enter the ice tub
Towels
Drinking water + Himalayan sea salts for electrolytes
Hot herbal tea (in fall and winter)
Contrast Therapy PLUS One-On-One Coaching - 75 minutes
This option is highly recommended for first timers.
Full access to facilities (private change room, sauna, ice bath, outdoor resting area)
Detailed, personalized guidance on how to correctly use contrast therapy based on your needs/goals
Homework practices
Towels
Drinking water + Himalayan sea salts for electrolytes
Hot herbal tea (in fall and winter)
Meet Denise
Certified ThermalistⓇ
Owner of Element Outdoor Sauna
Denise is certified through The Soeberg Institute, founded by world renowned contrast therapy researcher Susanna Soeberg PhD. In addition, she has also completed WIM HOF basic and advanced level online trainings.
Denise’s passion for health and wellness began in 2015 when she became nearly paralyzed with a back injury related to steadily declining lifestyle habits. It was at this critical moment she decided to change everything by losing 130lbs, by prioritizing proper nutrition, and exercise.
But, this was just the start of her journey. In 2021 she was faced with the sudden death of her wife and with that their shared business. During this process she turned heavily to contrast therapy to help her manage the incredible stress and grief of this life transition. By bringing her full self to this process, she realized the immense benefits of this practice for body, mind and spirit.
It was through her emergence from this dark period that Element Outdoor Sauna was born.
Denise’s passion is palpable and contagious as she guides her clients through her space.
It is her mission to challenge peoples limiting beliefs of what they can do, and show them that optimum health can be attainable for all.
What people have to say
