From contrast therapy to hydrothermal circuits, ancient European bathing rituals are shaping the future of wellness in American cities.

It starts with heat. Then cold. Then, heat again. Maybe a plunge pool. Maybe a nap. A moment of stillness. A social sauna. A hydrothermal circuit that feels more like a ritual than a routine. This isn’t just another spa day. It’s the rebirth of a wellness culture centuries in the making — and finally, it’s gaining steam in the U.S.