Hydrothermal Initiative 2026 Trends Initiative Chair: Don Genders, Founder & CEO, Design for Leisure, United Kingdom Initiative Vice-Chair: Cassandra Cavanah, Founder, Cavanah Communications, United States Hydrothermal bathing has deep cultural roots in many parts of the world, from the thermal traditions of Europe and Asia to Nordic sauna rituals and global spa cultures built around water, heat and recovery. In recent years, however, these practices have…
Why Thermal Recovery Is Emerging as a Cornerstone of Modern Athletic Performance Around the world, elite sports organizations are rethinking the role of recovery—and embracing thermal environments as essential infrastructure within performance ecosystems. While saunas, steam rooms, and cold environments have long been central to global wellness cultures, their integration into high-performance athletics is accelerating rapidly. TCU in the United States offers a compelling case…
The Sauna Conundrum: Tradition vs. Infrared — Which Delivers the Real Sauna Experience? Is an infrared cabin really a sauna or something else entirely? While infrared heat treatments have surged in popularity, sauna purists argue they don’t measure up to the centuries-old traditions of true sauna bathing. In this dynamic debate, our panel brings together leaders from both camps, including the CEO of a leading…
Heat of the Moment: Strategies for Thermal Wellness Business Success With interest in saunas and social bathing concepts at an all-time high, the GWI Hydrothermal and Consulting Initiatives are teaming up for an essential webinar diving into the operations side of this booming sector. Whether you’re planning a new build or refining an existing concept, this session will explore the key decisions that make-or-break success in social…
Beyond the Ice, Part 2: Exploring Cooling Rituals and Contrast Therapy July 1, 2025 | 11AM ET | Free Webinar After the success of our first session, we’re diving deeper into the evolving world of cold therapy. While ice baths may dominate headlines, they’re not the only—or necessarily the best—option for most people. Join us for Beyond the Ice, Part 2 (July 1 at 11AM…
Beyond Ice Baths: What Comes Next in Cold Therapy? (Webinar Replay + Bonus Resources) Thank you to everyone who joined the Global Wellness Institute’s Hydrothermal Initiative’s live Zoom session, Beyond Ice Baths: What Comes Next in Cold Therapy? We had a fantastic conversation that explored the entire hydrothermal journey – including heat, cold, rest and repeat – and took a deep dive into some of the reasons why gentler, more holistic approaches to cooling down have mass appeal. If you missed the live event (or want to revisit the discussion), we’ve got you covered. Catch the full recording here. Whether you’re a designer, operator, or wellness enthusiast, this session offered valuable insight into the latest hydrothermal trends—including expert perspectives on cold immersion, contrast bathing, and the guest experience. Want to dive deeper into the design standards behind today’s most innovative spa experiences? Download our free Guide to Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Development Standards, a must-read…
