Thermea Spa Village Winnipeg is much more than just a spa; it’s a holistic, immersive experience that promotes a better well-being and a time to recharge. It exceeded my expectations, helped me live in the moment, and made for the ultimate self-care day filled with happiness. The Aufguss rituals are a unique and immersive experience unlike any other that I was thrilled to dive into. The Spa Village allows you to leave all your worries in the past and enjoy a self-care day that is sure to make you feel your best.
Inside an Aufguss Ritual
Aufguss translates to “infusion” in German, and the experience takes place in the Finlandia sauna. The Ritual Artisan (who guides the Aufguss) pours water and snowballs infused with essential oils over hot stones to heat the sauna. During the performance with rhythmic towel movements, the Ritual Artisan circulates air to enhance both the thermal experience and the sensory aspect of the ritual. Depending on where you sit in the sauna, you’ll feel it even more intensely—the higher you sit, the hotter it is, trust me! The towel waving is meditative and grounding, and watching the performance is incredibly calming. I found it enchanting to watch!
There are multiple different Aufguss Rituals you can attend. One of the highlights and my personal favourite was the Arboreal Aufguss. In this ritual, there are beautiful branches with leaves that are gracefully shaken around by the Ritual Artisan, and it feels like light rain on your heated skin. Paired with the essential oils, I was fully immersed in total tranquility, as if I was getting rained on in a beautiful forest.
I felt so relaxed and peaceful after experiencing the Aufguss rituals. The experiences are unique, meditative, transformative, and a performance that you simply must see for yourself to understand how special it is!
After the Ritual
After a ritual, you can cool off in a cold plunge and then rest in a relaxation space or temperate outdoor thermal bath. Alternating between hot, cold, and rest is called the thermal cycle. These cycles promote circulation, boost the immune system, reduce stress, and help to support muscle recovery. Sweating during a sauna session or ritual helps detoxify the body, while cold plunges tighten the skin, boost mood, and mental clarity. I love the warmth and comfort of the hot pool, and I felt so clear and restored after completing my thermal cycles.
Enjoying the Spa Village
Here, wrapped up in my robe, the only thing I need to focus on is self-care. Thermea Spa Village offers specialized massages, a relaxation chalet, a forest beach, body care treatments, and restaurants with lots of delicious options for food and drink from the gourmet Le Resto to the seasonal Biergarden. You can customize your Spa Village experience exactly how you like it—adding on whatever sparks your interest!
The Spa Village is also home to saunas that are infused with essential oils. They leave you feeling incredibly refreshed and have different therapeutic scents to choose from. The aromas smelled fresh and invigorating, and my favourite was definitely the eucalyptus. This is also where you will find the exfoliation room with body scrubs to cleanse and rejuvenate the skin, and a shower head to wash off and cool down.
Self-Care at the Spa
We all talk about the importance of self-care, but sometimes when our lives get busy and hectic, we often forget to plan time to recharge our bodies, mind and soul. It’s necessary for maintaining balance, reducing stress, and improving the quality of sleep. That’s why a day at Thermea Spa Village is the perfect reset and wellness journey that your body and mind are both sure to love.
Wellness is really important to me, which is why I love going to the Spa Village. The peaceful and quiet energy throughout the Village encourages you to turn your brain off and just live in the moment. It is a great place to leave your stresses behind, and it can be enjoyed with a friend, partner or as a solo day of relaxing in your own company!
Aufguss rituals, thermal cycles, and exfoliation are just a few of the many unique things I love doing here. Thermea Spa Village feels like a sensory journey like no other, and is the perfect place for rest, relaxation, and happiness.
Written by Madison Westdal, @y2kpraireprincess
