At a time when wellness trends come and go with the seasons, there’s something enduring about the ancient rituals of hot and cold therapy. The contrast between icy plunge pools and searing sauna heat is no longer reserved for elite athletes or Nordic spas. Increasingly, these experiences are becoming central to how we reset in modern life. But at Vikasati, with locations in Brisbane and Southport, the ritual goes deeper, focusing not just on providing recovery, but also on providing connection, purpose, and vitality.
Vikasati isn’t a typical spa or gym. It’s part sanctuary, part science lab, part community. Born from the vision of founders Ben Murphy and Will Stodulka, longtime fitness professionals turned thermal therapy pioneers, Vikasati is designed to be an antidote to overstimulation and stress. The pair began experimenting with DIY ice baths nearly a decade ago in a basement car park. Today, their wellness centers are expansive outdoor bathhouses, buzzing with the energy of people seeking both muscle relief and transformation.
The Rise of Ice Baths and Their Benefits
Step into the Brisbane bathhouse and you’ll find one of the coldest plunge pools in the city, held at a crisp 5°C. For the uninitiated, this might sound torturous. But for devotees (including celebrities like Lady Gaga and athletes like The Matildas), cold immersion is a gateway to mental clarity, resilience, and even improved immunity.
The science backs it up. Cold exposure has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve thermoregulation, enhance mood through endorphin release, and strengthen the nervous system. “It’s less about braving the cold and more about learning to meet discomfort with calm,” says co-founder Will. “It’s about mastery, not just muscles.”
The Fire Within: Finnish and Infrared Saunas
Of course, where there’s cold, there must also be heat. Vikasati’s Finnish Rock Sauna, which is kept between 70°C and 90°C, is steeped in tradition. Dry, penetrating heat produces a detoxifying sweat, loosening tight muscles and calming a racing mind. Meanwhile, the full-spectrum infrared saunas, which are only available in the Brisbane location, offer a more futuristic alternative. These sleek, wood-lined sanctuaries use near, mid, and far infrared waves to deliver heat directly to the body, improving circulation, accelerating recovery, and even aiding in sleep and collagen production.
Unlike the intense, short-burst heat of traditional saunas, infrared offers a gentler, longer session, ideal for those seeking therapeutic benefits without the high intensity. It’s like meditation with a side of mitochondrial efficiency.
The Magnesium Difference
Then there’s the magnesium. At both their Brisbane and Southport locations, Vikasati’s hot and cold magnesium pools add an extra layer of recovery and relaxation. Magnesium, a mineral critical to over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, is absorbed through the skin in these pools, easing muscle soreness, calming the nervous system, and helping to improve sleep and mood.
Hot water dilates blood vessels, promoting circulation and muscle repair. Cold water constricts them, reducing inflammation and swelling. Together, they create a contrast therapy that optimizes recovery and leaves you feeling rebalanced. The result? A natural boost in energy, immune function, and overall well-being.
A Community, Not a Commodity
But Vikasati is not just a bathhouse with all the wellness tools people could need, it’s more of a philosophy. Their commitment to health goes beyond aesthetics or athleticism. Here, healing happens not just in the heat or the cold, but in the space between, in the conversations by the pool, the shared silences in the sauna, the ritual of returning to your body after a long day.
The outdoor setting plays its own role, too. Whether basking in the sun or soaking under moonlight, Vikasati brings nature back into the equation. You’re not just healing indoors under fluorescent lights. You’re breathing in fresh air, syncing with the natural rhythms, and grounding yourself in something primal.
As Ben puts it: “We’re here to help people become the best version of themselves, physically, mentally, and socially. That only happens when people feel seen, supported, and inspired.”
Where to Find Vikasati
Vikasati currently operates two locations: one nestled in the heart of Brisbane and another on the Gold Coast in Southport. Each bathhouse is uniquely designed for immersive wellness experiences; spacious yet intimate, state-of-the-art yet grounded in timeless practices. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a stressed-out professional, or simply curious about what your body can do when it’s met with care and intention, Vikasati offers a sanctuary to reset and renew. For more information, visit vikasati.com.au or connect with Vikasati on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube to stay in the loop.
At a time when wellness trends come and go with the seasons, there’s something enduring about the ancient rituals of hot and cold therapy. The contrast between icy plunge pools and searing sauna heat is no longer reserved for elite athletes or Nordic spas. Increasingly, these experiences are becoming central to how we reset in modern life. But at Vikasati, with locations in Brisbane and Southport, the ritual goes deeper, focusing not just on providing recovery, but also on providing connection, purpose, and vitality.
Vikasati isn’t a typical spa or gym. It’s part sanctuary, part science lab, part community. Born from the vision of founders Ben Murphy and Will Stodulka, longtime fitness professionals turned thermal therapy pioneers, Vikasati is designed to be an antidote to overstimulation and stress. The pair began experimenting with DIY ice baths nearly a decade ago in a basement car park. Today, their wellness centers are expansive outdoor bathhouses, buzzing with the energy of people seeking both muscle relief and transformation.
The Rise of Ice Baths and Their Benefits
Step into the Brisbane bathhouse and you’ll find one of the coldest plunge pools in the city, held at a crisp 5°C. For the uninitiated, this might sound torturous. But for devotees (including celebrities like Lady Gaga and athletes like The Matildas), cold immersion is a gateway to mental clarity, resilience, and even improved immunity.
The science backs it up. Cold exposure has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve thermoregulation, enhance mood through endorphin release, and strengthen the nervous system. “It’s less about braving the cold and more about learning to meet discomfort with calm,” says co-founder Will. “It’s about mastery, not just muscles.”
The Fire Within: Finnish and Infrared Saunas
Of course, where there’s cold, there must also be heat. Vikasati’s Finnish Rock Sauna, which is kept between 70°C and 90°C, is steeped in tradition. Dry, penetrating heat produces a detoxifying sweat, loosening tight muscles and calming a racing mind. Meanwhile, the full-spectrum infrared saunas, which are only available in the Brisbane location, offer a more futuristic alternative. These sleek, wood-lined sanctuaries use near, mid, and far infrared waves to deliver heat directly to the body, improving circulation, accelerating recovery, and even aiding in sleep and collagen production.
Unlike the intense, short-burst heat of traditional saunas, infrared offers a gentler, longer session, ideal for those seeking therapeutic benefits without the high intensity. It’s like meditation with a side of mitochondrial efficiency.
The Magnesium Difference
Then there’s the magnesium. At both their Brisbane and Southport locations, Vikasati’s hot and cold magnesium pools add an extra layer of recovery and relaxation. Magnesium, a mineral critical to over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, is absorbed through the skin in these pools, easing muscle soreness, calming the nervous system, and helping to improve sleep and mood.
Hot water dilates blood vessels, promoting circulation and muscle repair. Cold water constricts them, reducing inflammation and swelling. Together, they create a contrast therapy that optimizes recovery and leaves you feeling rebalanced. The result? A natural boost in energy, immune function, and overall well-being.
A Community, Not a Commodity
But Vikasati is not just a bathhouse with all the wellness tools people could need, it’s more of a philosophy. Their commitment to health goes beyond aesthetics or athleticism. Here, healing happens not just in the heat or the cold, but in the space between, in the conversations by the pool, the shared silences in the sauna, the ritual of returning to your body after a long day.
The outdoor setting plays its own role, too. Whether basking in the sun or soaking under moonlight, Vikasati brings nature back into the equation. You’re not just healing indoors under fluorescent lights. You’re breathing in fresh air, syncing with the natural rhythms, and grounding yourself in something primal.
As Ben puts it: “We’re here to help people become the best version of themselves, physically, mentally, and socially. That only happens when people feel seen, supported, and inspired.”
Where to Find Vikasati
Vikasati currently operates two locations: one nestled in the heart of Brisbane and another on the Gold Coast in Southport. Each bathhouse is uniquely designed for immersive wellness experiences; spacious yet intimate, state-of-the-art yet grounded in timeless practices. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a stressed-out professional, or simply curious about what your body can do when it’s met with care and intention, Vikasati offers a sanctuary to reset and renew. For more information, visit vikasati.com.au or connect with Vikasati on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube to stay in the loop.
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