Trend: Ganbanyoku (bedrock bathing)
Sunday, March 14th, 2010
Imagine that simply lying on your back for at least an hour is all it takes to release bodily toxins, increase circulation and lose weight?! This is the claim of “bedrock bathing” – all the rage in Japan apparently, with thousands of Ganbanyoku or bedrock bathing spas throughout.
Iyashi Bedrock Spa, located at Yonge Street (north of Eglinton) is Toronto’s only Ganbanyoku spa – with its healing silica rocks imported from Japan. I was invited to a 90 minute hot yoga/rock combo…
Like any spa, the atmosphere at Iyashi is serenely relaxing and welcoming (soft lighting, birds sounds in the background…). Yuka, the front desk woman showed me to my locker, stocked with towels, flip flops and if need be, a rock bathing outfit.
I began my session with a big cup of water (8 cups are recommended during the ‘treatment’ and easily consumed). From looking at the photos of bedrock bathers on the Iyashi website, I thought it would be weird lying beside someone on the ground for an hour, but it was totally fine – besides it took all I had to focus on how long I could last in that heat!
Fortunately for me, it is normal to leave the heated room every 20 minutes or so to cool down and drink water in the lounge area. Then on to round two:
Hot Yoga/Rock Bathing Combo
+ Yoga done on the heated silica stone (60 minutes)
+ All seated or lying poses held for 1-3 minutes
I’ve never done ‘Hot Yoga’ (only regular) so cannot compare my experience at Iyashi. I can say however that 1. I sweat more than more and was distracted immensely by sweat dripping down my forearms, etc. (first time is obviously difficult) 2. my patience and stamina were put to the test and 3. was very grateful for the mid-session break where we got to sit in the lounge and drink water for 5 minutes before heading back in. Loved the serenity and small class size – and was amazed at how much my heart beat although we barely moved position!
It is said that 60 minutes of rock bathing is the equivalent of running 6-9 miles. I can honestly say that after 25 minutes of the hot rocks and only 15 minutes of hot yoga, I felt like I had run 9 miles!
Benefits
The amazing list of benefits of far infrared technology, silica stone and bedrock bathing are endless; but the basic theory is that the heat and negative ions that come off the black silica heat your body a degree causing intense perspiration, which in turn kick starts the most internal parts of your body to push out the bad (toxins, cellulite…) and produce some good (sebum for skin, repairs cells…).
“In a study, the sweat of people using a conventional sauna was found to be 95 to 97% water while the sweat of those using an infrared thermal system was 80 to 85% water with the non-water portion principally cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins, toxic heavy metals (such as mercury and aluminum), sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia and uric acid.”
The results of bedrock bathing (better skin, weight loss, etc…) would be most noticed with regular attendance. Personally, after 90 minutes of being in the room, I truly got a kick-ass workout, I noticed less reddness on my face and I think even my pores are a little smaller. From speaking to some of the ladies there, I think those that most see the improvements are those that more need improvements.
Bedrock bathing in T.O. and the yoga combination class is a little pricey – but Iyashi has monthly specials on their website – like 2 for 1, 50% off for birthdays, etc…First time customers save 40% of their visit.
Iyashi Bedrock Spa
2662 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
416.488.ROCK (7625)
by Daniel Wilson
This new, supposed trend of accessorizing with dead animals (mostly road kill) goes far beyond fox scarves or bird feather headbands; instead the morbid fetish includes cow hoof high heels, dead rat change purses and skull head pieces. Ew. But I definitely think it’s a stretch to say it’s a new hipster thing….donning dead rats and taxidermy is still very much limited to a minority, no matter how our lust for 
And I really do love these finds! (btw, there are hundreds of great handmade items on 
