In Southern Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec, spring is a season of extremes. We oscillate between freezing mornings and damp, humid afternoons. For our bodies, this transition can feel sluggish. We’re emerging from a long winter hibernation, and our internal systems are often still dialled for the deep freeze.
In the Finnish tradition, the spring sauna isn’t just a weekend ritual; it’s a functional reset for the body and mind. It’s the catalyst that jumpstarts our metabolism for the year ahead.
During the winter, our circulation naturally slows to protect our core. As the ground thaws, we need to get that blood moving again. When you step into a sauna and enjoy good löyly (the Finnish word for the steam that rises from the stones), you aren’t just sweating. You are triggering a profound cardiovascular flush.
I feel this most acutely every late April when I head up to my cottage in the Kawarthas to open up for the season. The ice has usually just broken, leaving the lake crystal clear and incredibly cold. That first cottage sauna of the year is a physical awakening unlike any other. As the heat moves from the core to the extremities, it clears that heavy, end-of-winter lethargy. It’s the most effective way to shake off the winter coat.
The cold plunge is perhaps most effective during the spring thaw. In the summer, the water is warm and forgiving. In the spring, the water is honest, it’s biting, crisp, and exactly what the nervous system needs to recalibrate.
Stepping into a 5 °C plunge after a 90 °C sauna provides a massive surge of endorphins. It truly makes you feel alive. If you’ve been feeling digital fatigue from a winter spent behind screens, this contrast is the ultimate antidote. Whether you are at Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea, Thermea Spa Village in Winnipeg or Whitby, that transition from the heat to the cold is where the true renewal happens.
Spring is also the season when we reintroduce the Vihta (or Vasta), the traditional Finnish birch whisk. While we use dried birch year-round, the tradition of the spring sauna is centred on renewal.
Using a whisk in the sauna isn’t just for show. The physical tapping stimulates surface blood flow, while the scent of the leaves, fresh and medicinal, is the hallmark of the spring. It’s a sensory reminder that the world is waking up. At our facilities, during the Arboreal ritual, these elements are prioritized and adapted because they connect us back to nature.
The most common mistake I see here is rushing the third stage of the thermal cycle: the rest.
To get the full benefit of the thaw, your body needs a minimum of 20 minutes to return to its baseline. This isn’t just down time. It’s when your heart rate stabilizes, and your mind enters a state of relaxation that you simply can’t find in the digital world.
As you sit wrapped in a robe, watching the mist rise off the damp ground at our spas, you’re engaging in analog wellness. No phones, no notifications, just 20 minutes of silence to prepare for the active months ahead.
Groupe Nordik was founded on creating Third Places, communal spaces where ancient Nordic traditions meet the rugged beauty of the Canadian landscape. Spring is a time of transition. We invite you to step into the heat, embrace the cold, and clear the path for a vibrant year.
The season is waking up. It’s time to join the rhythm.
Alan Jalasjaa is a leading specialist in thermal wellness and an advocate for authentic sauna culture. Serving as the Sauna Ambassador for Sauna from Finland, he bridges the gap between traditional Finnish rituals and modern wellness. Alan is the co-host of the podcast Kivia: The Spirit of Sauna, where he explores the intersection of history, culture, and the human experience. Discover more at kivia.ca.
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