Welcome to the Taffside Sauna Blog

From summer to sauna season

 

Taffside Sauna is redefining the sauna and wellness movement through community, wellness, and contrast therapy in Cardiff

 

Nestled on the banks of the River Taff, our sauna sits in a pocket of nature surrounded by trees, wildlife, and wrapped in a stillness that makes you feel like that moment is exactly where you need to be. The wood-fired sauna looks out to the river and towards our two whiskey barrel cold plunges.

 

Saunas have been around for thousands of years and are so much more than just getting warm. It’s a holistic approach to mindset, relaxation, rejuvenation, and simply being. It’s an experience like no other, because once you’ve tried it, you’ll just get it. It’s a ritual, a reset, and a reminder to be truly present. 

 

Learning and connection

 

We officially opened the door to the sauna on June 1 and have spent the last five months growing and nurturing our new community. We have welcomed everyone, from those who swear by the sauna life to those just starting to discover it. The summer at Taffside Sauna has been about learning, connection, laughter, and sharing the experience with others, whatever their reason for being there. 

 

Our yoga classes have brought guests together, and our running club has brought the sauna to those who otherwise might not have tried it. We have collaborated with holistic therapists who have brought soothing massages and sound baths to open the mind and fully experience the benefits of the sauna, and this is just the beginning of our journey to transform wellness into something accessible and deeply rooted within the community. 

 

Contrast therapy

 

The Nordic cycle of contrast therapy is a restorative ritual for the mind and body that involves alternating between hot and cold exposure. For us, that’s our wood-fired sauna and whiskey barrel ice bath. It stimulates the body’s healing process, improves circulation and promotes physical and mental wellbeing. 

 

As we move from autumn into winter we become more than just a retreat, because although the sauna promotes mental wellbeing all year round, it becomes even more essential during these months. The darker, colder nights can be hard on many of us, and knowing you have somewhere you can go to truly focus on your health and mind has been our purpose from the very beginning. Each visit is a chance to connect with yourself, and with others. It’s a way for those who find this time of year difficult to focus on healing both their mind and body.

 

Restoration, community, and connection

 

At Taffside Sauna, wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. One of the things we aim to combat is loneliness. We know it can take its toll, which is why our sessions are designed to foster community and connection. We encourage guests to disconnect from their phones, talk, and just share in the experience. We want you to feel like a part of the sauna community. 

 

The idea for Taffside Sauna began with our founder, Steve. After a life-changing injury left him in a coma for a week, everything he knew was turned upside down. He had to rebuild his life from scratch. His driving licence was revoked for medical reasons, and he had to give up Dandy Dog Walks, the dog walking business he had poured ten years into.

 

During that long and humbling journey back to himself, Steve was pushed to truly reflect on his mental and physical wellbeing. Out of that struggle came a vision to create a space dedicated to mindfulness, restoration, community, and connection. As a qualified Yin Yoga instructor, he imagined a welcoming environment for everyone, whether they were seasoned sauna-goers or complete beginners.

 

That Taffside feeling

 

Taffside Sauna was created from hope, resilience, and the desire to share the practices that supported Steve’s healing, with a focus on mind, body and soul. As we look to the future, alongside what we already offer, we hope to expand our partnerships with wellbeing initiatives and support charities that champion heart health and dementia awareness. 

 

We also look forward to welcoming more of you, whether you’re curious about the sauna life, or simply along for the ride. From the five-minute plungers to the five-second plungers, we hope everyone leaves with that Taffside feeling and a true understanding of what this place is all about.