FAQ

We will create a new door in the hallway to enter the currently empty space next door. You will check in at the current front desk just like normal, but have access to RITUAL. We will share the locker rooms and lobby space.

The best way to book a session is on our yet to be released “APEX | RITUAL | yoga pod” app. You can also book on the RITUAL website. You can book a 1 hour session. We will have a limited capacity of 26 people per 1 hour session. We simply ask that you stay within your booking session window and exit after.

You'll check in, get oriented, and then it's yours to explore. You can change in the locker room and store belongings there. Get your water bottle, sauna hat, and your towel or cover up if you’d like, (we provide sauna towels) and enter the RITUAL sanctuary through the hallway door. Most guests do 2–4 rounds of sauna, cool down between each round (cold plunge, cool shower, or fresh air), and rest in between. The rest is the best, take it. Think of it less like a workout and more like a ritual — unhurried and intuitive.

Yes! We require a change of clothes before entering RITUAL after an APEX or yoga pod class as cleanliness is of utmost importance.

A swimsuit is the standard, and we recommend natural fabrics — organic cotton is ideal. Synthetic materials like polyester trap heat and can leach chemicals at high temps, which is the last thing you want in your wellness practice. We carry a selection of organic cotton swimwear and loungewear in our retail space if you need to grab something before your session.

If you're coming from an APEX or yoga pod class, a fresh change of clothes is required before entering the RITUAL sanctuary. Please plan accordingly and bring a change with you.

Yes, but they must be clean and never have been used outdoors. If you’d like to use your own (we do not provide them), we may kindly ask to inspect them and staff may decline them. Please be nice to staff if we they decline them, it’s all for the cleanliness of the shared space. Barefoot is normal throughout the entire facility.

Sauna hats, typically made of wool or felt, are worn to regulate head temperature, preventing overheating, dizziness, and headaches by insulating the head from extreme heat. They protect hair and skin from drying out, prevent sweat from running into the eyes, and allow for longer, more comfortable, and relaxing sauna sessions. They are not provided, but we have them for sale in the lobby.

Löyly (pronounced low-loo) is the steam created when water is poured over hot sauna stones — but to Finns, it's far more than vapor. It's the spirit of the sauna: a soft, enveloping heat that awakens the senses, cleanses the body, and quiets the mind. A sauna without löyly is just a hot room. With it, the experience becomes something ancient, deeply restorative, and utterly transformative.

Yes. We require that you use the rinse showers in the RITUAL sanctuary between hot and cold. We have private showers in our full service locker rooms for your post RITUAL needs.

Please remove heavy deodorants, perfumes, scented lotions, and skincare products before entering the sauna or cold plunge. Heat amplifies scent dramatically — what feels subtle on you can be overwhelming to the person sitting inches away, and many synthetic fragrance ingredients release unwanted compounds when heated. Our rinse shower is there for exactly this reason. Use it before your session, and save your skincare routine for after. Your skin will actually thank you — the sauna does the heavy lifting.

A typical sauna round is 10–20 minutes, followed by a cool-down period of equal length. For the cold plunge, even 30–60 seconds is enough to activate the benefits. Over time, you'll naturally build your tolerance and find your rhythm.

Regular sauna use is associated with improved cardiovascular health, reduced stress, better sleep, muscle recovery, and immune support. Cold plunging activates your body's natural resilience response — reducing inflammation, boosting mood through endorphin release, and sharpening mental clarity. Together, they're one of the most powerful wellness practices on the planet.

Avoid heavy meals in the hour before your session. Come well-hydrated — you'll sweat, and your body will thank you for the prep. We recommend continuing to hydrate during and after your visit. We have filtered water stations throughout the facility and inside the RITUAL sanctuary. Electrolytes are for sale at the front desk.

Completely normal to feel that way before your first time. Most guests walk out after their first session wondering why they waited so long. We want you to know that RITUAL is a sanctuary for healing — welcoming to all, regardless of age, body type, gender identity, sexual orientation, or where you're from. There is zero tolerance for hostility, bullying, leering, or any form of uncomfortable attention. Everyone here is expected to be mindful in their engagement and to uplift the community around them. Remember, perception is more important than intention, and if you are uncomfortable for any reason, please let us know immediately.

If anything ever makes you feel uneasy — whether it's another guest's behavior, an interaction with staff, or anything at all — please tell us. We take these matters seriously and will act without hesitation to protect your experience and our community. Our team is here to answer questions, ease any nerves, and make sure your first visit feels like exactly what it's supposed to — a reset for your body and mind.

Safety & Vulnerability Contrast therapy involves minimal clothing and a physically vulnerable state. Some guests — particularly women, trauma survivors, and those newer to the practice — feel significantly more at ease knowing the space is exclusively shared with others of the same gender.

Cultural & Religious Observance Many cultures and faiths have traditional modesty practices that make co-ed bathing spaces inaccessible. Gender-specific sessions make RITUAL available to guests who couldn't otherwise participate.

The Leering Problem It's real and it ruins the experience. Dedicated women's sessions in particular eliminate the discomfort of unwanted attention entirely, without requiring staff intervention after the fact.

Depth of Relaxation Research and anecdotal evidence consistently show that many people — especially women — reach deeper states of relaxation and stay longer when in a same-gender environment. That's better outcomes and a better experience.

Community & Connection Single-gender sessions tend to foster faster, deeper connection among guests. There's a natural ease that builds community more quickly.

Men's Wellness is Underserved Dedicated men's sessions create a rare space for men to engage in wellness, vulnerability, and community without social performance pressure — something genuinely lacking in most wellness spaces.

The same as everyone else — with respect, mindfulness, and intention. RITUAL is a wellness space, not a social scene, and the sanctuary is treated accordingly.

In practice, that means:

• Eyes forward, awareness inward. This is your time to decompress, not to observe others.

• No leering, staring, or lingering attention of any kind — toward any guest, regardless of gender.

• Conversations are welcome; advances are not. Read the room. If someone has their eyes closed or isn't engaging, respect that.

• Your presence should make others feel safer, not less safe. That's the standard we hold everyone to.

We're proud to be a space where women feel completely at ease. That doesn't happen by accident — it happens because the men in our community take that responsibility seriously. If you're the kind of man who gets that, you'll fit right in here.

Any behavior that makes another guest uncomfortable will be addressed immediately, and we reserve the right to remove anyone from the sanctuary without refund.

In the saunas, yes. We provide sauna towels as you walk into the sanctuary and it is required to sit on them in the sauna, this helps with longevity of the sauna wood. If you need a shower towel, we have those for rent at the front desk.

Yes, we do not have an arrival requirement for your booked session. However, we do ask that you stay within your booking window to honor the next incoming guests. For example, if you booked a 4pm session, you can arrive at 4:20 we just ask that you depart by 5pm.

If you are pre-registered for session, and you do not cancel at least 8 hours prior to session start time, you will be charged a $10 late cancel fee. There is a one time forgiveness on late cancelation policies.

If you need to cancel a session in order to attend another session on the same day but within the 8 hour window, call us and we can accommodate the change without any penalties.

If you are pre-registered for a session, and you do not come to that session, you will be charged a $20 no show fee. There is a one time forgiveness on no show policies. Please avoid every no showing, you can late cancel up to the last minute before the session start time.

Be sure to use our RITUAL app. Ensure you have your MBO profile set up to receive all text and email notifications. If you add yourself to a waitlist, you should plan to attend class. Even if added overnight, all registration policies and fees apply.

Outside the 8 hour window, you will be added to the roster in order of your number on the waitlist and sent a confirmation email. MBO will not send a text to notify you. You will still have the option to early cancel outside the 8 hour window, so set a reminder to check if you have been added to the class. When added to class from the waitlist, late cancel and no show policies apply. This includes if you register for multiple waitlists and get into multiple sessions, regardless of whether you are added inside or outside of the 8 hour window.

Inside 8 hours, open spots are 1st come 1st serve. If you are on the waitlist inside the 8 hour window you will receive a text notification from the RITUAL app that a spot in class is available. You must open your app and secure your spot as they are 1st come 1st serve. If your app says “Pending,” the open spot has already been claimed by another student.

All membership cancelations require 30 days notice. For example, if you get billed the 8th of the month and today is the 15th, your final payment will go through on the 8th of the next month, with no future payments remaining after that. Monthly & annual contracts require 30 days notice to cancel. There are no early cancellations nor refunds for annual contracts, even in the case of relocation. All cancellation requests must be submitted online at our sister brand site, www.yogapodgainesville.com/cancel

Members can freeze their membership up to 6 complimentary months per year. If you would like to freeze your account, your membership dues continue while you are frozen. Upon reactivation, your membership dues will be $0 for the duration of your freeze. All freeze requests must be submitted online at yogapodgainesville.com/freeze. Freezes can only be made from bill date to bill date, for example you can freeze from August 1st to September 1st or August 1st to December 1st. We do not allow partial month freezes. Cancelations are never allowed following a freeze.