Heat, Cold & Light
Wellness Practices That Have Stood the Test of Time
Wellness trends come and go. But some practices stick around for a reason.
Saunas have been used for centuries in Nordic cultures as a way to relax the body and support circulation. Cold water immersion has long been used by athletes and traditional bathing cultures around the world to support recovery and reduce inflammation. Red light therapy has been studied for decades for its potential role in cellular health and recovery.
While these practices may feel like a modern wellness trend, their roots go much deeper.
At Cedar House, we wanted to bring these simple tools together and make them part of a local wellness resource for our community here in Geneseo and Livingston County.
Some people come in after a workout.
Some stop by after a long day.
Others just want a quiet place to slow down for a bit.
These practices offer a simple way to reset the body and mind.
Infrared Sauna
Saunas have been part of daily life in many cultures for generations. Traditional saunas heat the air around you, while infrared saunas use radiant heat that warms the body more directly. This allows people to experience a deep sweat at lower temperatures than a traditional sauna.
For many people, the sauna is the easiest place to start - you sit, relax, and let the heat do the work.
People often use sauna sessions to support:
• relaxation and stress relief
• improved circulation
• muscle recovery
• helping the body manage inflammation
• a chance to slow down and reset
Many guests say they leave the sauna feeling calmer, looser, and more refreshed than when they walked in.
At Cedar House, every sauna session also includes red light therapy.
Cold Plunge
Cold plunging has become more popular in recent years, but the practice itself is not new. Cold water immersion has been used for generations — from Scandinavian winter plunges to ice baths used by athletes after training.
A cold plunge involves briefly stepping into very cold water. The first few seconds can feel intense, but the body quickly adapts.
Cold exposure is often used to support:
• reduced inflammation
• muscle recovery
• improved circulation
• increased energy and alertness
Many people step out feeling surprisingly energized and refreshed.
Contrast Therapy
One of the most powerful ways to use heat and cold is through contrast therapy. This simply means alternating between sauna and cold plunge.
Moving between hot and cold encourages circulation as blood vessels expand in the heat and constrict in the cold. This process helps move blood and nutrients throughout the body.
Athletes have used contrast therapy for years to help support recovery after workouts, but you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy the benefits.
Many people simply enjoy the way contrast therapy leaves them feeling both relaxed and re-energized.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light that are believed to support cellular function. It has been studied for decades in medical and wellness settings and is often used to support:
• skin health
• muscle recovery
• inflammation reduction
• cellular repair
At Cedar House, red light therapy is included with every infrared sauna session so guests can experience both heat and light therapy together.
Bringing These Practices to Our Community
Cedar House was created to bring these wellness practices together in one place for our community.
Sauna. Cold plunge. Red light.
Simple tools that people have used for years to help the body recover, relax, and reset.
Our goal is to offer a space where people in Geneseo and Livingston County can experience these practices and incorporate them into their own routines. You don’t have to be an athlete or a wellness expert to benefit. Most people just come because they want to feel a little better when they walk out than when they walked in.
Sometimes the most effective wellness tools are also the simplest.
