Social Wellness Experiences
The Village Rituals feed on the emotions, reactions and energy of the group. Faced with the spellbinding dance of an Aufguss or with the sounds of a guided meditation, a calm settles over the mind and body, allowing a contagious joy to awaken. Sometimes festive, sometimes mesmerizing, these rituals are made for everyone, from the curious to the regulars.
“Guided meditations for all and rituals inspired by elsewhere to reconnect with your inner joy. ”
What Is an Aufguss?
With the sound of a gong, everyone gathers in the Village’s largest sauna to experience this German ritual which optimizes the positive effects of thermotherapy and aromatherapy. As the Ritual Artisan enters, snowballs infused with essential oils in hand, silence settles over the space. The Artisan melts them one by one, at different moments, and moves a towel, sending waves of steam laden with an energizing scent.
Four Aufguss rituals are offered in the Village: the Discovery Aufguss, the Artisan Aufguss, the Meditative Aufguss and the Discovery Arboreal.
Village Aufguss
Discovery
An Introduction to the Auguss Ritual
The Discovery, the shortest Aufguss at the Village, offers a gentle introduction to this ritual that awakens all the senses. Music, waves of enveloping steam, and the soothing scents of essential oils come together to create a unique moment of well-being. This experience is perfect for those new to the Aufguss ritual or anyone with a lower heat tolerance.
Artisan
Music That Awakens the Senses
To the rhythm of the music chosen by the Artisan, a towel is gracefully moved to diffuse essential oil aromas throughout the sauna. With every movement, a wave of pleasantly aromatic wind soothes body and mind.
Meditative
The Aufguss Experience
The purest form of the ritual begins with the sound of the first snowball melting on hot stones. After a few soothing breaths, a towel impressively wielded by the Artisan whips through the air. These movements, performed with respect for tradition, create enveloping waves of aromatic steam.
Discovery Arboreal
An Imaginary Expedition Into Our Backcountry
In an instant, you are transported to the heart of Canada’s boreal forest. The towel is replaced by veniks, birch branches with their foliage, and the scents that fill the sauna are those of our wilderness. Throughout the ritual, temperatures fluctuate between intense heat and fresh outdoor air to soothe the senses.
Unlimited Rituals Throughout the Day
Your Spa Village access lets you enjoy various Village Rituals at no additional charge.
$98
FAQ
The answers to the most frequently asked questions about Village Rituals.
No, Village Rituals such as guided meditations and Aufguss are included with the Spa Village access.
The various ritual schedules for the day are posted in the reception hall, at the boutique, near the saunas and yurts where they take place: the Finlandia, the Banya and the yurts. Our Artisans will be happy to help you on-site if you have any questions.
For the Discovery, Artisan and Meditative Aufguss, as well as for the guided meditations, you don't need to reserve your place before your visit. Simply consult the day's schedule and head for the sauna or yurt where the ritual takes place when you hear the sound of the gong. Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Discovery Arboreal ritual must be booked on-site 30 minutes before the ritual. Please note that Village Rituals cannot be booked before you visit the Spa Village.
Two saunas offer Aufguss rituals at the Nordik Spa Village. Finlandia, the Village's largest ritual sauna, can accommodate up to 60 guests. Banya, the sauna where the Discovery Arboreal takes place, can accommodate between 16 and 24 guests depending on the type of ritual and up to 40 guests outside of these sessions.
Guided meditations take place in one of the Village's yurts.
You can complete your thermal cycle at the end of the ritual, which is to say with the cold stage, followed by the rest stage. This ensures you enjoy the full benefits of thermotherapy after your Aufguss ritual.
Your bathing suit. Please leave your sandals, water bottle and personal belongings outside the sauna and bring your towel to sit on.
You can leave the sauna at any time to cool off if the heat becomes unbearable. You can also try sitting on a lower level, where the heat is less intense. The higher you sit, the hotter it gets. Once you leave a ritual, you may not reenter.