"Manna House is the west coast curated by a landscape artist surrounded by a cutting edge spa. My Scandinavian soul was in heaven in the ocean beach sauna. Looking forward to returning midwinter."  Carolyn G, Eagle View, Aug '24
 [ N O R D I C  S P A  @  M A N N A  H O U S E ]
 
Thermal Therapy Circuits ~ Quick Tour
Experience the healing benefits of this Nordic tradition that dates over 2,000 years. The hot → cold → relax →​ repeat circuit has numerous positive effects for the mind, body and spirit, including better sleep, improved physical and mental health, accelerated recovery and healing. We operate in all seasons. Rain, shine or snow; each element is planned with your enjoyment and comfort in mind.
​Our Thermal Therapy Circuits consist of an Ofuro soaking hot tub, cold plunge tub and crackling fire, all enjoyed in the privacy of your own garden; a medical-grade infrared sauna is easily accessible for 1-2 person sessions; or head to the private beach where you can spend hours alternating between a wood-fired barrel sauna, plunging in the ocean, showering in rainwater, relaxing by the fire, while admiring sweeping views across the Lambert Channel to Hornby Island.
Upon arrival, we were immediately captivated by the resort's charm. The rooms exuded an inviting and homely ambiance. The highlight, however, was the Japanese hot tub in each room's garden. The soothing hot water and tranquil atmosphere provided a perfect retreat after a day of exploration.
...The wooden sauna located right on the beach was a true delight. The scent of the sea mingling with the aromatic wood created an incredible sensory experience. And for those seeking an alternative, the infra-red sauna provided a rejuvenating and detoxifying session.
Constantine C, Eagle View, May '23
 
​1. Hot » Oceanfront Scandinavian Wood Fired Barrel Sauna
The heat of the sauna increases your blood flow, which can help ease pain and stiffness in sore muscles and move white blood cells through your body more efficiently, giving a boost to your immune system. The sauna also promotes deep body-mind connection, as well as stress relief.
Enjoy your private thermal therapy circuit on our secluded Sauna Beach, artfully designed using elements of nature. The Western Red Cedar Barrel Sauna on our private sandy beach with it's spectacular views, is bookable for 4 hour sessions. Heat is supplied by a Harvia wood stove, with a supply of dry fire wood to hand. When you book you will be linked to a slide show that gives step-by-step instructions on how to light and use the sauna, so you will be independent and can start your session when it suits you.
The sauna's configuration is perfectly designed for lounging whilst gazing out the glass front at the lightshow playing over the Lambert Channel, Hornby and Texada islands, and the Coastal Range behind the Sunshine Coast.
 
2. Cold » Ocean Plunge
"The rocky beach is amazingly secluded, and beautiful to swim in."  Elizabeth N, Eagle View, Jul '21
 
For the purist, a dip in cold salt water is the ultimate cold plunge. Here that experience takes place in a calm ocean, on a deserted shore, surrounded by scenery to die for - islands and snow capped mountain ranges...
Or Cold » Rainhead Shower
The sauna is within a stone's throw of the high-tide line, but if it's low tide, or if a walk to the ocean doesn't appeal, a rainhead shower delivering cold, potable water is just outside the sauna door.
Plunging into cold water starts a cascade of health benefits, including the buildup of brown adipose tissue and resultant fat loss, reduced inflammation that facilitates a fortified immune system, balanced hormone levels, improved sleep quality, and the production of endorphins. These are the brain's "feel good" chemicals that naturally elevate your mood and help to reduce pain, thus stimulating a general feeling of contentment and happiness.
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In Winter you may actually find your brief dip in the cold ocean surprisingly pleasant. In Summer the water will feel cold initially, giving your body the required thermal shock, ​but it is usually warm enough for a good swim. (►
 
3. Relax » On a Private Sandy Beach
Rest with Fire on our Private Beach
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The Sauna Beach is furnished with:
  • Wrap-Around Deck
  • Cold Shower ​~ Potable Water
  • Fire Pit (firewood and firestarters provided)
  • Sun Lounger
  • ​Hammock
  • Pod Rockers with Sun Shades
  • Collapsible Tables
  • Robes, Beach Towels, Lamp and Beach Bag provided
"Thermal Therapy is a treatment that involves alternating between hot and cold temperatures, followed by a rest period. This relaxation ritual is based on a 2000-year-old tradition founded in Nordic countries. 
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"Better sleep, improved physical health, accelerated recovery and healing… the benefits from thermotherapy are many. You might be surprised, but studies show that thermal therapy can also help fight mild depression, loss of appetite and anorexia."
"I didn’t realize how badly I needed stillness until I felt it again sitting in the glass front sauna staring at the ocean, hanging out with a good book for hours. I even found building the fire incredibly meditative."  Olivia C, Ocean Spray, Spa Retreat, Aug '24
 
Allow the sounds of the ocean and the fresh marine air to transport you to a state of complete relaxation. Take your time, your session can last up to 4 hours or, longer if there is no one booked after you. Repeat the hot-cold-rest cycle as often as you wish. 

Each cycle builds upon the one before, with healing white blood cell production and brown fat activation increasing each time.
 
​1. Hot » Infrared Sauna
The in-house, full-spectrum, medical grade Infrared Sauna is available for 1-2 people, for private sessions lasting up to 4 hours, including 60 minutes IR exposure. Relax with a private West-facing garden view. The interior is exquisitely hand-crafted from sustainably grown Canadian Basswood, the least allergenic wood in North America. It's assembled without glue from thick planks, so the sauna is toxin-free, and finished with 100% natural beeswax. With the lowest EMF of any sauna in the world (up to 80X lower than other brands on the market), it is safe for people with electrical sensitivities.
"Medical grade infrared saunas employ ceramic elements so they don’t overheat the air. When you’re sitting inside an infrared sauna, taking a breath is comfortable – not uncomfortable and sort of stressful. The ceramic elements emit heat in the infrared spectrum. Your body loves this heat. Humans absorb heat in the infrared spectrum, like the sun’s heat, naturally and very efficiently. The sweat glands just under the surface activate and start pushing out sweat without causing your heart to race, or your blood temperature to rise. It’s a much lower-stress way to detox.
"Infrared saunas allow people to expose themselves to gentle healing infrared heat and coax a detoxifying sweat without raising their core body temperature. The heaters slowly warm your skin just enough to make you sweat, but don’t overheat your lungs or cause heat stress."
​► SaunaRay Infrared Saunas...
Probably my most favorite sauna was the infrared sauna. In fact I loved it so much, I just purchased one for my personal use at home. (I have only been home for 2 days.) 
​Leslie R, Spa Retreat Package, June '24
The infrared sauna was another favorite - great garden view and plenty of birds fluttering about. End with a cold plunge - and yes among the birds :)
Andrea S, July '24
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There are different schools of thought about maximum exposure time, but the manufacturers of our sauna have programmed the control pad to count down from 60 minutes which is the maximum that they recommend.

Many people are most comfortable with 20-30 minutes, and when they have an IR sauna in their own homes and can do it regularly, 20 minutes is usually enough, a few times a week. Our guests don't usually have one at home so they want to get the most out of the session/detox here, and doing circuits can not only do that, comfortably, but the benefits accumulate with the repetitions. The 4 hours enables you to do 3 or 4 circuits of 20 minutes infrared > cold plunge/shower > rest. It also gives you some latitude over when you start, then you can come and go as you like during that time period. 
 
​1. Hot » Japanese "Ofuro" Cedar Soaking Hot Tub
In the privacy of your own garden, immersed in nature and pleasurable whatever the weather, a session in  your private Japanese "Ofuro"  soaking hot tub induces deep relaxation by reducing your blood pressure while stimulating blood flow to the muscles, skin, etc.
​Experience the bliss...
"Ofuro Soaking Tubs originate from Japan where bathing is a spiritual ritual. The Ofuro bathing practice differs from North American and European bathtubs, Ofuro bathtubs are 'Zen' like providing a sensual pleasure and a feeling of well-being and harmony with the natural surroundings, perhaps in a garden or spiritual landscape. Japanese bathtubs help to restore mental and spiritual well-being by providing a private relaxation space, while promoting physical health by stimulating circulation. 
"The mechanics of an Ofuro Tub require a deep chin down soak which means the tub is deeper than normal bathtubs... The thick cedar construction of our Ofuros means it maintains heat much longer than a regular tub. Our 'Ofuro Tubs" are made of clear Western Red Cedar which is a close cousin to the traditional cypress wood used in Japan. Red Cedar has the distinct advantage of being naturally resilient to decay and bacteria. It also is known for its high insulating value. The pleasant aromatherapy of cedar heightens the experience!"
 
2. Cold » Cold Plunge Tub
Each room has a cold plunge bath adjacent to the hot tub. 
Simply fill with cold water and add ice from the commercial ice maker in the common area.
​COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH BENEFITS
 
Cold therapy has been shown to provide a large range of health benefits. The cold stage stimulates blood pressure, forcing the production of more white blood cells– your body’s natural healing agent. Flushed of toxins, your muscles relax and you feel rejuvenated.

Brown Fat Activation -​ Brown fat (adipose tissue) stores energy and burns that energy to regulate your body temperature in cold settings. It also helps regulate sugar and fat metabolism.
​Faster Recovery - Cold shocks decrease pain and reduce inflammation, so you can bounce back faster from hard training sessions or intense competitions.
Boosted Immune System - Cold exposure boosts T-cell counts, promoting a stronger immune system to fight off diseases.
Improved Mental Health - Regular cold therapy leads to better sleep. Sleep is a key factor in your mental performance and mood.
Relieves Stress - Reduced cortisol levels and increased dopamine levels after plunges mean you feel happier and lower stress.
 
3. Relax » In Your Garden
After a hot and cold cycle take time to rest, ideally next to a crackling fire. This allows your body temperature, blood flow and heart rate to stabilize.
All units/gardens are provided with:
  • Wood burning fire pit (fire-lighters & firewood provided)
  • Overhead electric patio heater
  • Hammock or a skychair (in Ocean Spray)
  • 2 Padded outdoor lounge chairs
  • Low metal table
  • 2 Patio chairs and table
  • Electric barbeque
  • Robes and beach towels
Relax in you private garden
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Relax and repeat the circuit, in the privacy of your own space, surrounded by nature. Thermal Therapy's benefits escalate with repetition!
It's up to you, but it's customary not to have more than one infrared sauna per day, so we suggest that your next hot session is in your Ofuro tub, or perhaps book the Oceanfront Scandanavian Sauna.
Disclaimers: Manna House CA does not operate as a Spa for the paid use of the public. These facilities are our personal property and intended for our own private use and that of our guests. 
Manna House CA does not operate as a Massage Studio, for the paid use of the public. The Massage Therapists provide this service to our guests as visiting practitioners. 
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Acknowledgement: We are indebted to the inspiration, devotion, and sheer hard work of landscaper Devon Brajkovic ~ We gave him our vision and the overall design, to which Devon has responded by creating and constructing the "Absolutely Gorgeous" (according to everyone who's seen them) Beach Garden and Sauna Beach, not to mention the path, steps and bench/throne for 2!