CONTEST CLOSED and we have a winner:
Congrats to Iryna!
A few months ago, my girlfriend Elaine and I went rock bathing together at Iyashi Spa. It was absolute joyous heaven. Our treatment was just over an hour and I felt detoxified, relaxified (yes, I just made that word up) and my mind felt clear and fresh. My skin looked darn good the day after too – a pretty lovely side effect of sweating out those pesky toxins. It was also a really nice time to chill out with my soul sista.
So what is rock bathing you are probably wondering?
Rock bathing uses a special stone called Black Silica to heat your body from the inside out as you lay on it. These black stones release far infrared rays (FIR) and negative ions (despite the name, they are positive goodness for your joyous bod!) to help your body sweat and detoxify. The stones are only found in one mountain in the entire world in Hokkaido Japan. Unlike regular saunas, the stone beds are kept between 42 to 44 degrees Celsius with a humidity of about 60%.
Here’s what the rock bathing sauna room looks like. There’s also a deluxe suite if you want to laze in private with your lover or girlfriend.
Rock Bathing @ Iyashi Spa
What are negative ions?
They are a natural anti-depressant. According to Pierce J. Howard, PhD, “Negative Ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy”. By promoting abundant oxygen levels in the blood, negative ions help normalize brain function, resulting in relaxation and calmness. Higher levels of negative ions have been proven to be as effective against SAD (Seasonal Affective Depression) as antidepressants, such as Prozac and Zolof, and without the side effects. Wowsa!
After my visit to Iyashi spa I contacted them because I wanted to do a giveaway on joyous health so that one of you could experience this kind of joyous relaxation. Of course, even if you don’t win, you should get your lovely self over to the spa and try it out. They offer SO much more than just rock bathing. In fact, you can also do a yin yoga class in the heat of the sauna. Check out more information here.
Here’s what you can win!
4 Rock Bathing Sessions, a value of $238.
Here’s how to enter:
In the comments section below, tell us why you think you should win this prize! Keep in mind Iyashi is in Toronto. 
Contest closes: March 31st, 2013
Exciting!
Hi Joy! I should win as I do suffer from SAD and as such am negatively affected by our lack of sunshine in the winter (hence my love of summer!)
Hi Joy! What an awesome contest! I think I should win because I am a crazy stressed out student trying to get through midterms! I’m all achey from sitting on my butt studying all day! Thanks so much!!!
Hi Joy! I should win because this is a perfect time of year for a juice detox, and the infrared sauna at Iyashi spa would be perfect complement with my 5 day spring detoxification. Hope I win!! PS. Also I am a yoga instructor, and this would be great to calm body and mind:)
I’d love to win. I’ve always wanted an infrared sauna and love the feeling of sweating out toxins so much I’d drive from London to check out Iyashi! Be a great to partner with a relaxing getaway from London and work! We don’t have places like this here!
Robyn
Hi Joy, You are such a blessing in the way you simplify, thanks! I was in a head-on 15 years ago and only by the grace of God and being led to people with wisdom, I am always making forward progress. I am always seeking out modalities that may help with the Fibro, arthritis… Have found out that ‘the right food’ is the best medicine! I had researched Far infra red technology as in the booths but discovered that because I have plates, pins & screws all over it is not advisable. But this sounds different, and I would love to try it, if it’s copacetic!
Single Mom here that would love to have a girls trip (after 7 years) to relax and enjoy the energy of other great woman that I love!
Hey Joy!
I would LOVE to win this because I am a newly converted health nut!! I stumbled upon your blog in my search for all things holistic and healthy and I visit it daily now!! You’ve helped me kick dairy and go organic!
I’m a full-time U of T student and worker so a spa day would be a dream:)
Fabulous giveaway! I should win because I need new ways to relieve end-of-term stress, as well as the stress of my husband being gone away for six months!
Hello Joy,
I would like to be considered for the spa giveaway. Over the past year, I dealt with many life changing situations, most involuntary. The loss a a dear friend almost put me in a depression and there were even points I was second guessing who I was. Even writing this, still brings me to tears. I am holding a lot of toxins in my thighs. I am working hard to get myself back on the right path, peaceful and get my mind and body prepared for a baby. I think that this spa could assist me along this path.
Blessings,
Christina
I think I should win because I’ve been dying to try this place out and I need to sweat out some excess toxins
Hi Joy,
I’d love to win because I love reading about new and exciting ways to improve ones’ health. I love all your advice and articles, suggestions and weekly Joyous goods.. I believe having 4 sessions of detox will help me relax better.
Thank you!
Hi Joy,
What a great give-away! I think I should win because I’m coming off of a yucky year (2012) and am in the process of finding balance, JOY and meaningfullness within myself, the food I eat and the relationships in my life. Visits to the Iyashi Spa would undoubtly be beneficial in helping me to detox and de-stressify! I’ve also signed up for your Eat Well Feel Well workshop and can’t wait to start! Wouldn’t the rock bathing sessions be SO complimentary to the program? ;o)
Thanks for all the info you provide on how to be joyous! W.
Hello Joy,
What an amazing prize!
I believe I should win because I am in need of some major relaxation and could really benefit from this, as I unfortunately really struggle from S.A.D.
I have really enjoyed reading your blog and find everything so darn informative.
Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge!
Jessica
I have been thinking about ways to destress… I think this would do the trick! Sounds amazing!
Hey Joy!
While going to school for Holistic Nutrition at IHN is very rewarding, it’s also very stressful and overwhelming! I think I should win this so I can experience some relaxation in a holistic way
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Hello,
I want to win this for my mom and nana who are going through some personal problems right now. It would be a nice birthday gift for them since there bithdays are in March and May. Also, if the effects are true about the anti depression effects and help with SAD then it would be helpful for them.
This sounds like the perfect thing to help manage the wear on my body from starting my own business this year. It’s been challenging to take time for self-care and managing pain from Fibromyalgia without much income and so much work to do. The timing is also great because March always seems like spring, but we’ve got a ways to go yet!
Hi Joy,
I would love to win this prize. I think it would be a great way to continue my 10 day detox and 2 day cleanse packages that I have been following and turning into a habit. It would also relive a lot of stress I have been having to deal with. But also I am a huge fan and believer that everyone should pamper themselves. It makes me love myself that much more!
Hi Joy. I would love to win this because I’m sure these treatments would help relieve some of the stress I’ve been feeling lately that has me feeling pretty low and also help with the dry flaky winter skin I have now.
Hi Joy,
I love your site. I want to win this prize so that I can relax and unwind. Period. I’m not going to make stuff up or complain about my unemployment, etc. I literally just love your site and want to win!
Hi Joy: Sounds like a fantastic prize! I want to win this prize because I need a little warmth in these cold days of winter.
Hi joy,
I think I should win because I just finished both your detoxes and I feel like I just need to go that extra step to truly detoxify. Never felt better in all my life and I just want to give my mind, soul, and body the joyous love that it deserves.
Hi Joy,
I think I should win because I am starting an exercise/get healthy program after 30 years of being inactive (lazy/life got in the way)
I am sure this would help the process and give me an incentive to continue on this joyous journey!
Wow! I’d like to win because, as a natural Floridian, the only thing that keeps me feeling like a person through winter is sauna-esque experiences…and it’s March and I haven’t had one yet this year!
Hi Joy,
I believe i should win since i found the treatment at the spa is a great addition with your detoxify cleanses.
i feels like doing hot yoga with the same benefits and in addition with dry brushing – but the spa does it for you- all you do is slough off the dead skin after the treatment.
Relax your mind as well
Amazing prize!!!! I’m a student at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition studying Pathology of Disease at the moment, needless to say I’m a wee bit stressed. Winning this would be heaven
This is truly joyous!
I would love to win this experience and share with my husband.
It would be a great birthday gift for this shorty and since as my job is to help people feel better, I’m in serious need of TLC myself!
Thank you
I often travel through Toronto on my way to Niagara Falls from Ottawa. What a fantastic experience it would be to get off the 401 to relaxify on the stones.
Hi Joyously Joy,
I would LOVE to win because I could do with some relaxation in my life. My days are FULL with three little boys, and life’s stresses. I NEVER give myself any ME time. A rock bath sounds like a perfect antidote – and decadent quick escape.
Thanks!
Hi Joy!
I think I should win because I am currently a student at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition and I think it would be a GREAT experience. Between school and work I have become quite frazzled and I could really use some downtime! And with the cold weather I have been quite lazy in terms of sweating it out so I could definitely use some detoxing! Thanks!
Hi Joy!
I am trying to get my goals for my health back on track now that the winter hibernation period is coming to an end. February was a particularly trying month for me filled with a winter depression that I haven’t experienced in years. I am trying to ease myself into better body and mind habits by nourishing myself with lots of love and a few pampering sessions such as this would really help.
Hi Joy,
I would love some relaxation!
Hi Joy,
I should win because I am recovering from a mild brain injury that happened while I was biking (I got doored on College and Bay). It’s been a rough seven months, I had to postpone work and school for the year and I would love some deep relaxation and natural anti-depressants! (I don’t like playing the injury card in public– it’s bad karma, but I would like to be ionized.
)
Greetings Joy. I would like to win this prize, but not for me – for my dear friend Diane Martella. I can provide you with her contact information should this be selected.
I have watched Diane struggle with stressors from every sphere of her life, past and present. She makes a brave attempt to take care of herself, but ultimately, like many, carves out little time for herself. I think this would be a wonderful way for Diane to take a moment for herself and reap the benefits of this modality.
Cheers always Joy!
What a great contest! I sent my daughter to Iyashi for a birthday gift as she suffers from fibromyalgia and she said she never perspired so much in her life and it felt great. Post-menopausal, this time of year makes me feel hideous and I think the black silica would work wonders to perk me up. Do I deserve it? Everyone deserves to go to Iyashi!
this is so beautiful i like to have this
Hi Joy! I would love to win, because I am a busy mom of two beautiful girls,and army wife who sees little of my SO on a regular basis. I’ve spent the last few years battling depression/chronic fatigue, and are getting ready to get started on baby number 3 and not only would winning this help, but it’s the perfect excuse to get myself to Toronto for some 1 on 1 time with some drastically missed family (we’re posted away in Quebec)
What an amazing giveaway! I have tried regular saunas and I find them very difficult to stay in for longer than 10min because I start feeling claustrophobic from the heat and small space. I really want to do a cleanse in the spring and rock bathing would be an excellent way to sweat out toxins.
My best friend and I are two peas in a pod,
We’re artsy and wild, determined and odd.
We spend day after day creating together,
Writing scripts, doing plays, filming shorts (in all weather)!
Together we’ve developed a healthier routine,
Switching to Yoga and Kale Juice from pop and poutine.
But this winter weather has made us feel glum,
And I’d love to detoxify with my dearest chum.
Please help us shake writer’s block, and our seasonal gloom,
And you’ll help two tired artists continue to bloom!
I realize that I’m no more deserving than anyone else (we’re all equally deserving) but I would love to win this. I’ve been wanting to check out Iyashi and rock bathing for awhile! I like to try different healing modalities and right now I’m trying to save up for nutrition school and spend as little money on other things as possible. I could use the uplifting effect.
I almost didn’t comment ’cause I read the other comments and was overwhelmed! While I have personal reasons for being drawn to the treatment, I’d love to share this experience with my mom – a stereotypical over-worked single mom who juggles two jobs and is always on her feet. I have slowly helped her adopt a more joyous lifestyle, and I think this would be another push in the right direction – not to mention RELAXING.
I am just heading into perimenopause (or at least that’s what I tell my husband when I am unreasonably grumpy). Oddly, as opposed to having hot flashes I experience what I would call cold flashes where no matter what I do, I cannot warm up. Rock bathing could be just what the Doctor ordered! I’d love to cuddle up with a warm rock, believe me!
Hi Joy,
I would be very grateful if I won. I’ve been an overnight counsellor for six years, working with children and teens, and I do think I deserve a little R&R hehe. I love hot rock massages, so this sounds wonderful. Thanks for the chance!
I have found my past experiences at Iyashi to be quite healing and detoxing. I feel great when I leave. New and alive. I would be very happy to be the recipient of this giveaway!
Hi Joy ! I had hid rock bottom a year and a half ago with depression and anxiety. Ever since then I have been trying to improve through supplementation, food and now I am at the point that I want to try other ways in which to continue staying happy – be it changing my thought patterns, meditation, or even something like this rock bathing experience which I really feel might help give me that push to get through the rest of winter!
-Sara
Hi Joy! This is so excited! I would love to win this give away to melt away my stress from work, part-time education and my upcoming national exam for a designation. Also, the weather has not been on my side, hampering my already anxious mood. Hot rocks & relaxation is just what I need!
Hi Joy,
I would love to win. I am a student studying interior design and tend to overuse my visual senses–which makes me feel a bit tired! I could really use a moment to turn inward, to soften, to sit quietly, and to sweat.
It’s been a very hectic and stressful year and rock bathing would be a fantastic way to relax and detox.
Hi Joy – I’d love to pass this on to my parents. My mom hasn’t left Ontario since they immigrated 25 years ago. She works at a job all her life standing long hours on her feet and now suffers chronic back and joint pains. I’d love for my mother to put herself first for once and take care of her body which she has sacrificed for decades in order to take care of her family. Thank you.
Hi Joy,
I would love to win this give-away because I am also a healthcare practitioner that is always looking for new ideas to promote health for both myself and patients!
2012 was one of the most stressful years of my life. Career, relationship and health issues stopped me from every feeling truly relaxed. I took charge this year – left the man, the job and committed to making health my number one priority. A rock bathing detox sounds just perfect. I would LOVE to try Iyashi!