Contrast Therapy

A 10-to-20-minute contrast therapy session alternating between sauna heat and ice bath immersion. The repeated cycling between heat and cold drives vasodilation and vasoconstriction, creating a vascular pumping effect that may support circulation, lymphatic drainage, and nervous system conditioning. Clients control the pace of alternation to match their tolerance and goals.

Contrast therapy at AYUN combines sauna heat exposure with cold water immersion in an alternating protocol lasting 10 to 20 minutes total. Clients move between the sauna and ice bath at their own pace, typically completing three to four cycles of heat followed by cold during a session. The physiological basis is straightforward: heat causes peripheral blood vessels to dilate (vasodilation), increasing blood flow to the skin and extremities. Cold immersion triggers the opposite response — vasoconstriction — as blood retreats to the core to protect vital organs. Alternating between these two states creates a pumping action in the vascular system that may enhance circulation, accelerate metabolic waste removal, and support lymphatic drainage. Beyond the circulatory effects, contrast therapy places mild, controlled stress on the autonomic nervous system. Regular exposure to deliberate hot-cold cycling is associated with improved stress resilience, better heart rate variability, and enhanced parasympathetic tone — the branch of the nervous system responsible for rest, recovery, and digestion. The mental component is significant. Moving from intense heat into cold water requires focus and breath control. Many practitioners describe the experience as a form of active meditation, reporting improved mental clarity and emotional regulation after sessions. The endorphin release triggered by cold exposure adds to the sense of post-session wellbeing. At AYUN, contrast therapy is priced at CHF 80 for a single session. It is also included in the unlimited monthly membership from CHF 249, alongside cryotherapy and red light therapy. The walk-in format means clients can arrive during operating hours without a mandatory booking, though reserving a slot online guarantees availability. Contrast therapy pairs naturally with cryotherapy and red light therapy. Some AYUN clients use contrast therapy as a warm-up before a cryotherapy chamber session, while others follow it with red light therapy for a comprehensive recovery stack.