There isn’t one right way to use a spa. Some people want to arrive, put their phone away and move between the sauna and ice baths entirely at their own pace. Others prefer somebody to guide the experience, introduce them to new rituals and take care of the structure.
At WellNest, you can do both. Our spa in London Bridge is built to give you the freedom to find your own rhythm, whether that means a quiet self-guided recovery session or joining one of our guided sauna and contrast experiences.
So, which one is right for you?
What is a self-guided spa session?
A self-guided session is exactly what it sounds like. You arrive, change, grab a towel and use the spa facilities in whatever way feels right for you. At WellNest, that can mean spending time in the sauna, moving into one of our ice baths, relaxing in the hot tub or taking some time in the red light therapy room.
There is no fixed sequence you have to follow and no pressure to spend a particular amount of time anywhere. Some people come with a routine they already know. Others simply see how they feel when they arrive.
You might spend 15 minutes in the sauna, take a short cold plunge and repeat. You might stay mostly in the heat. You might come in after training and focus on recovery, or after work simply because you want an hour away from everything else.
That freedom is the point.
Who is a self-guided spa best for?
Self-guided sessions can be ideal if you:
already have a sauna or contrast routine you enjoy
want flexibility around how long you spend in each space
prefer a quieter, more individual experience
are fitting recovery around work, training or your day
simply want time to slow down without a fixed programme
It also gives you the opportunity to get to know how your own body responds to heat and cold. There is no leaderboard in the sauna and staying in the cold longer does not automatically make the experience better. The more time you spend exploring the space, the easier it becomes to find the rhythm that works for you.
What is a guided spa session?
A guided session adds structure to the experience. Rather than deciding everything yourself, an instructor or sauna master leads you through part or all of the session.
That could mean guiding the transitions between heat and cold, introducing breathing techniques, using aromas and steam in the sauna, or leading a traditional sauna ritual such as Aufguss or Saunagus.
For people who are newer to sauna or contrast therapy, guided sessions can also make the whole experience feel more approachable. You do not need to wonder how long to stay in, when to move or what comes next. You can simply follow the session.
Why choose a guided experience?
One of the biggest benefits of a guided session is that somebody else takes care of the structure. It gives you permission to be present rather than watching the clock. Guided sessions can also introduce you to ways of experiencing the sauna that are difficult to replicate alone.
During an Aufguss, for example, water and aroma are poured over the sauna stones before the sauna master uses specialised towel techniques to move hot air and steam around the room. Instead of the heat simply sitting around you, you feel waves of warmer air move through the sauna. The combination of heat, aroma, movement and ritual makes it a very different experience from simply sitting in the sauna on your own.
Guided sauna experiences at WellNest
We currently offer two different styles of guided sauna ritual at WellNest.
Traditional Aufguss with Hubert: Every Wednesday, Hubert leads a traditional German-style Aufguss. The session focuses on heat, aroma and the classic ritual of moving steam through the sauna using towel techniques. If you want to understand what a traditional Aufguss feels like, this is a good place to start.
Saunagus with Oliver Wessley: Every other Tuesday, Oliver Wessley brings a different approach through the Danish tradition of Saunagus. These sessions combine aroma and towelwork with storytelling, creating a more expressive and immersive sauna experience.
Both use many of the same foundations, but the atmosphere and style of each ritual are noticeably different. Trying both is often the best way to discover which you prefer.
What if you're new to sauna or cold therapy?
You do not need any previous experience to use the spa. If you are completely new, a guided session can be a useful introduction because somebody is there to explain what is happening and lead the pace of the experience. But you can also begin self-guided.
The aim with sauna practice is not to tolerate as much heat or cold as possible. It is to understand how your body responds. If at any point you feel dizzy, faint or unwell, step out and give yourself time to recover.
Can you combine guided and self-guided spa sessions?
Absolutely. In fact, this is how many of our members use WellNest.
A guided experience might introduce you to a new technique, ritual or way of approaching the sauna. You can then take parts of what you have learned into your own self-guided sessions.
Or you might normally prefer using the spa independently but join an Aufguss when you want something more social and immersive.
They are not two competing ways of using the spa. They complement each other.
Experience the spa at WellNest London Bridge
Our spa includes saunas, ice baths at varying temperatures, hot tub and red light therapy, with both guided and self-guided sessions available throughout the week.
You can explore the space on your own terms or join one of our guided experiences and discover a different way to use the heat.
Find your rhythm.
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