Entirely Yours: The meaning of wellness is inherently open
Water thrown onto fire-heated stones, partially underground spaces transformed into steam-filled coves, communities coming together for a daily ritual as much as a social gathering.
The sauna, despite its many modern-day innovations, is no new concept. Dating as far back as 6000–7000 BC, ancient cultures practised hot-air breathing and steam traditions as a means of cleansing and purification. Saunas and steam have, and always will be, an integral part of wellbeing.
“Living by the water, I’ve become slightly obsessed with the contrast of cold and heat, especially this summer. Stepping into the sea, then warming up in the sunshine – it’s such a simple thing, but I always come out feeling refreshed and completely reset,” explains C.P. Hart’s Director of Marketing, Mo Goodfellow, in conversation with Rod Featon, the UK Sales Director of Italian wellness brand, Effe. “I love the idea of bringing that feeling home too, with a cold plunge followed by the warmth of a sauna or steam room. For me, it’s about recreating that connection with nature and turning the bathroom into a destination in itself – a private wellbeing oasis.”
“For me,” adds Rod, “the sauna experience is centred around focus and control. The focus is on regulating my breathing which, in turn, should reduce and control my heart rate. It’s about taking time out for yourself and trying to find some inner calm”.
Backed by nearly 40 years of rich heritage, Effe is a world-class designer of public and private spas. Combining traditional bathing methods, cutting-edge technology, and beautifully stylish design, Effe delivers the highest quality wellness experience through its series of sauna and steam products.
“In addition to our long-standing collections, we are so thrilled to introduce Baluar, the striking sauna and hammam created in collaboration with acclaimed Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola,” shares Rod. Reflecting Urquiola’s creative vision – one that is both empathetic and speaks to the senses – Baluar is inspired by the bastion, a defensive structure used in medieval forts that functioned as both protection and a lookout over the surrounding countryside. “I wanted to transform this architectural element into a wellness space: a compact, almost archetypal space where you can relax and unwind,” explains Urquiola.
And for those who are drawn to water, the launch of Effe’s highly anticipated plunge bath offers the ultimate immersion between alternating hot and cold temperatures. A practice found in several wellness traditions, from the Finnish sauna to the Middle Eastern hammam, Effe’s plunge bath can be encased in soothingly scented heat-treated Aspen, Fir wood, Canadian hemlock, dark heat-treated thermal wood, or walnut Canaletto. It’s designed to feel at home in the bathroom or in a dedicated outdoor space.
Perhaps the enduring appeal of these rituals is that there is no single way to experience them. Wellness has no prescribed definition – for some, it’s the opportunity to step aside from the everyday. For others, it’s the discipline of heat and cold, a chance to reset and then reconnect.
At its heart, the meaning of wellbeing is inherently open. It’s entirely yours.
