Alter is the latest addition to Toronto’s growing wellness scene, bringing together cultural experiences from around the world to help shape the city’s own brand and community of contrasting healing modalities.
Founded by four friends after traveling the world, the spa offers guests a tranquil, secluded place to explore breathing and meditation in saunas and ice baths, either solo or with a guide.
In addition to the calming and positive atmosphere, Alter offers a way to incorporate ancient customs into the daily life of a bustling city.
The owners say they designed the physical space to be as “frictionless” as possible, so people can move around it easily, stop to rest before work or even during their lunch break, and do something beneficial for their bodies and minds.
Situated in a building on the west side of College Street, the property was formerly a real estate office and bank. It took a lot of work to convert it to its current use, and by all accounts the team has done a fantastic job.
Past the reception desk and entrance (where you can purchase branded merchandise, such as a sauna hat handcrafted by the founder’s grandmother), you enter a lounge area where you can sit, drink tea, chat and relax, enjoying the abundant natural light coming through the large windows overlooking the college.
The corridor leads to a small changing room with separate changing rooms, toilets and storage space for things before the procedure, as well as an area with a hairdryer and mirror where you can prepare for the procedure.
While it may not be as grand and immersive as its competitors, the variety of experiences Alter offers suggests it will appeal to both seasoned sauna and ice bath enthusiasts who come here every day, as well as those trying the experience for the first time, which is still a new thing in Toronto and North America as a whole.
The space is not intimidating and is very well thought out, as the layout alone took months to perfect.
Particularly impressive is the sauna, the first in the city, with special mechanical ventilation, which helps remove stale air and bring in fresh air.
According to Finnish sauna experts involved in the project, this helps alleviate the feeling of fatigue and overheating that some people may experience in such an environment.
After completing individual or group sessions in the heat, participants head to the showers and then to the cold water area, which is simple and unpretentious: one pool is 8-10 degrees Celsius, and the other is 2-5 degrees Celsius for those looking for a more intense experience.
The founders say the idea behind both practices is to enjoy “good stress” rather than succumb to the “pain” that guests may bring into every aspect of their lives.
By challenging your body and mind through alternating heat and cold (sometimes to the point of being unbearable), you force yourself to find peace in discomfort and marvel at your own resilience and ability to overcome adversity.
That’s why Alter’s founders want to provide more opportunities in Toronto for effective contrast therapy experiences that go beyond physical health and social benefits.
Prices range from $30 per session (with promotional packages and bundles) to $300 per month (for unlimited visits).