By Deborah Carr, Founder of ANADA
As someone who has spent years training sauna masters and developing thermal experiences, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of guided rituals. When we began collaborating with VOYA, it felt like a natural evolution of that work, bringing together two traditions that share a deep connection to the body, the senses, and the natural world.
Ireland has a long history with both heat and water as tools for wellness. Long before the modern spa, coastal communities turned to the sea for healing. Hand-harvested seaweed was steeped in hot water to create mineral-rich baths believed to soothe joints, nourish the skin, and restore vitality. By the 18th and 19th centuries, formal seaweed bathing houses had appeared along the west coast, welcoming locals and visitors to experience the restorative power of the Atlantic.
At the same time, Ireland had its own sweat traditions. Stone-built “sweat houses,” or Teach Allais, were heated with fire and water to produce steam. These small spaces were used to purify the body, prepare for life transitions, and heal. In many ways, they are Ireland’s original saunas, sharing the same intention found in Finnish saunas, Russian banyas, and Native American sweat lodges: to cleanse, restore, and reconnect with one’s natural rhythm.
The collaboration between ANADA and VOYA brings these two practices together in a way that feels entirely organic. VOYA brings its heritage of Irish seaweed, certified organic products, and a deep respect for sustainability, while ANADA brings expertise in sauna and steam rituals, training, and sensory mastery. Together, we have created experiences that are not just treatments, but fully immersive journeys that connect guests with their breath, their body, and the natural environment.
Mark Walton, Co-Founder of VOYA commented about the new collaboration:
“VOYA started out on the west coast of Ireland out of a love of the sea and of simple, natural wellbeing. It’s always been about bringing the best of what the ocean gives us into people’s lives and into professional spa settings.
Working with ANADA feels like a natural step. ANADA really understands the craft of thermal rituals, and we understand the craft and power of seaweed based therapy. What we’ve created with VOYA Thermal Rituals is something that feels grounded in tradition but that also gives spa teams a practical framework to bring these experiences to their guests in a clear, thoughtful way.”
Thermal rituals are growing rapidly in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. Guests are looking for more than passive treatments; they want experiences that feel meaningful, grounding, and restorative. Guided sauna and steam rituals meet this need, combining heat, cool contrasts, breathwork, and sensory elements to produce results that are immediate and long-lasting. People leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected to themselves, a response that translates into loyalty and repeat visits for spas.
From a business perspective, thermal rituals are remarkably efficient. They can be delivered to multiple guests simultaneously, require minimal consumable product, and can be offered as stand-alone experiences, premium add-ons, or signature daily rituals. With the right training, staff can confidently deliver these experiences with minimal preparation. This makes it easy for spas to implement, while providing a high quality, high impact service that enhances the overall guest experience. The financial benefits are clear: higher yield per hour, increased guest satisfaction, and the ability to differentiate your spa offering in a competitive market.
Introducing seaweed into thermal rituals elevates them even further. In the warmth of a sauna or steam room, the body becomes receptive; pores open, circulation increases, and the skin can absorb minerals more effectively. VOYA’s organic seaweed infusions, compresses, and masks work beautifully in this context, enhancing detoxification, nourishing the skin, and connecting guests to nature in a very real and tactile way.
Implementing these rituals is straightforward, provided your team has the right training and structure. The protocols we developed with VOYA are designed with operational efficiency in mind, allowing staff to deliver rituals fluidly and confidently. With education at the heart of our approach, facilitators learn not only how to deliver the ritual, but why each step matters. That understanding translates into a richer, more authentic experience for guests.
Ultimately, the combination of VOYA’s seaweed heritage and ANADA’s sauna expertise represents the best of both worlds. Heat and seaweed share a rhythm and purpose that is deeply rooted in history, yet perfectly aligned with modern wellness demands. By bringing these elements together, spas can offer guests a ritual that is simultaneously ancient and contemporary, luxurious and accessible, restorative and energising.
At the heart of these experiences is something simple but profound: a return to rhythm. With every breath, with every wave of heat, and with every touch of the ocean’s minerals, guests reconnect with themselves and the natural world. That connection is at the core of wellness, and it’s why thermal rituals, especially when combined with seaweed therapy, are here to stay.