Saunas usually bring to mind those red-hot wood-paneled rooms we get to take advantage of at the end of our massage-centric spa day. And while dry saunas (usually heated electrically) can provide multiple benefits, there’s a new generation of saunas out there that can do even more: infrared saunas. Already sweeping the West Coast, the infrared version is a health and wellness panacea. Sessions can relieve chronic pain, symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, and allergies; help with lowering blood pressure and weight loss; and can offer a variety of anti-aging effects.
Bergen Mama wellness editor Helaine Kay visited Inner Light Infrared Sauna Studio in Midland Park recently to check out it out for herself. Co-owner Linda Lemery began using the technology as an alternative therapy to treat her chronic Lyme disease after her son Jonathan, who works in the health and fitness industry, discovered the saunas while in California. Six months ago, the two opened Inner Light, which according to Helaine, has the perfect Zen-like vibe thanks to calming music, aromatherapy oils diffused throughout the space, and plush towels on hand. The studio’s seven infrared saunas work by heating the body directly rather than heating just the air while raising your core body temperature to produce a deep, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level, where the majority of toxins reside. The Inner Light saunas also utilize Acoustic Resonance Therapy (ART) to incorporate healing aspects of sound and vibration to help clients relax and rejuvenate, in addition to Chromotherapy, a color and light therapy in the sauna to help restore and balance the body.
Equipped with a towel wrap and chilled lavender-scented washcloth, Helaine spent 40 minutes inside the sauna (infrared saunas aren’t quite as hot as the traditional version so that length of time never feels uncomfortable), and left feeling chilled-out and relaxed. She even brought her jet-lagged husband and sleep-deprived college-age son the next day so the whole crew could reap the benefits. Now that’s some family fun we want in on ...
Inner Light Infrared Sauna Studio, 684 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park.
