Just Breathe

When things get hectic around you, what is one action you can take to help calm your nervous system?

Breathe.

Taking a conscious deep inhale, a pause, and then a deep exhale gives you the opportunity to come back into your body. Or perhaps notice your body if you have strayed that far away from recognising both its fragility and its strength. It allows you to understand where the manic energy is coming from and gives you the best chance of finding balance.

It is only when we are balanced that we can move again in a calm and aware state. Try to move while in a state of flux and the outcome is often one of dis-ease. Balance first, then movement.

“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” – Rumi

So when I found myself saying “yes” to an hour of sauna and cold plunge therapy before sunrise at Aalto Community, what was the first thought that came to mind?

Breathe.

Closely followed by: how cold is this water actually going to be?

I didn’t know what to expect when I booked. Other than the fact that it was likely going to be one hell of an experience. What I didn’t know was how much my mind and body needed the session. Sometimes you simply don’t know what you need until you’ve experienced it.

As a beginner, I adhered to the recommended approach:

• 15-minute sauna
• Rinse
• 1-minute cold plunge
• Hydrate
• Repeat 2-3 times

After the first round, I stretched my plunge out to two minutes. I quickly felt as though I had acclimatised to the environment I found myself in. The water temperature sat at 10 degrees, and I intentionally avoided the other options of 7 and 4 degrees. I’ll work my way towards those.

I didn’t think it was necessary to adopt the mentality of “go hard or go home”. I had too much respect for the environment I was stepping into. More importantly, I wanted to enjoy the session and give myself every chance of wanting to come back, rather than scaring myself off altogether.

I am not averse to the cold. After all, this winter has seen me running around the Adelaide Hills in cold and wet conditions. But full body submersion is different. On bare skin, the sensory experience is complete. It is felt literally from head to toe.

The sauna, on the other hand, I relished.

I was warming from the inside out and it felt controlled, restorative and welcoming. Sitting at around 91 degrees and infused with eucalyptus, the heat encouraged a gradual release of sweat without leaving you completely drenched.

Transitioning from the sauna to the showers and then into the plunge, not once did you feel uncomfortable or exposed to the elements. The design and planning of the space is thoughtful, considered and comfortable.

Upon finishing the session and making the drive to work, a phrase crossed my mind:

When Things are Alive they Hum.

The title of a book by Hannah Bent, the phrase has stayed with me for years. I think it speaks to the relationship and interconnectedness of living things. The “hum” represents an invisible thread of energy that links us to ourselves and the world around us.

That morning, I felt it.

Now, the benefits of cold therapy (thank you, Wim Hof) and saunas (thank you, Finland) have been discussed at length. My visit to Aalto Community wasn’t revolutionary. In fact, some might say I’m late to the party.

I’ve dabbled in both cold-water immersion and sauna therapy for years. What I’ve lacked, however, is consistency.

Whenever we experience something that feels different, in a good way, we cannot help but tell others about it. We jump aboard the bandwagon and become part of the tribe. But sticking with something? That’s where the real gains are made. That’s where discipline is required.

You know exactly what I’m talking about.

Think New Year’s resolutions. Think the cleansing diet you are certain will change your life, only to be forgotten 24 hours later. We get excited about adding new things to our list of healthy habits. The harder question is whether those habits can last.

At the beginning of 2026, I made a commitment to say “yes” more often. To explore the unknown and revisit experiences that had served me well in the past.

There is usually a reason certain experiences stay with us. We keep coming back to them because they left a mark. Perhaps, at the time, the moment wasn’t right for them to become permanent fixtures in our lives. That doesn’t mean they never will.

Never discount something you have tried before and didn’t enjoy. Sometimes it is simply a matter of timing.

The wellness space is vast. If you are willing to explore what is being promoted as beneficial for the human body, then by all means, do so. Whether it becomes a long-term ritual is another question entirely, but isn’t it worth experimenting? You never know where the experience might take you.

What struck me most about Aalto was that it offered something beyond hot and cold therapy.

What also stood out about Aalto was its simplicity.

The space is thoughtfully designed, balancing functionality with connection. Nothing feels overdone or excessive. Instead, the layout naturally encourages movement between the sauna, showers and plunges while maintaining a sense of comfort and ease.

Throughout the venue are information boards outlining the benefits of both sauna use and cold-water immersion. Rather than simply providing the experience, there is an effort to educate those who walk through the doors, allowing visitors to better understand why they are putting themselves through the challenge in the first place.

The staff are friendly, attentive and clearly take pride in the space they have created. Their focus on maintaining a clean and welcoming environment is immediately noticeable. In a shared wellness setting, cleanliness matters, and everything felt exceptionally well maintained and sanitised (our post Covid self are especially thankful for this).

The best way I can describe Aalto Community is that it embraces a series of contrasts. It is simple yet abundant, energetic yet calming, contemporary yet unpretentious. There is no sense of ego attached to the experience. Instead, there is an underlying focus on wellbeing, community and creating a space where people can simply show up, breathe and reconnect with themselves.

Places such as Aalto Community remind us that supporting local businesses can be about much more than purchasing a service. It is good for the soul, good for the local economy and perhaps even better for building community. These spaces create opportunities for connection, routine and wellbeing, all while encouraging us to invest in our physical and mental health.

Sometimes, amongst the polished social media posts, sculpted physiques, modern fixtures and luxurious design features, it is worth coming back to the simple question:

Does it make you feel better?

In this case, the answer is yes.

After an hour at Aalto Community, my body’s energy was humming. Who would have thought a 6am start could offer such benefits to both mind and body?

Will I be back?

If it makes me feel like this again, then hell yeah.

You can find Aalto Community at Unit 1, 72 King William Road, Goodwood  SA  5034 (entrance off Union Street)

Follow @aalto.community