Sauna + cold plunge
Cedar Sauna vs Infrared Sauna: What Is the Difference?
The short answer
A cedar sauna heats the air in a wooden room, while an infrared sauna uses panels that warm your body more directly. Cedar feels classic and aromatic. Infrared feels gentler on the air. Sathya Hot Yoga & Wellness in Suwanee, GA, has a cedar sauna and uses infrared panel heat in the studio.
What is a cedar sauna?
A cedar sauna is a small room lined with cedar wood. A heater warms the air, and the wood holds that warmth. Many people love the natural, woodsy smell and the quiet feeling of the room.
Cedar has been a favorite sauna wood for a long time because it looks warm and smells good. It also fits Sathya's earthy, calm style.
At Sathya Hot Yoga & Wellness in Suwanee, Georgia, the sauna is cedar.
Wood choice matters less than how the room feels to you. Still, cedar has a reputation for being easy on the senses, which is why so many spas and studios choose it.
A cedar room also looks great, which helps you relax before the heat even starts.
Both styles have fans. The right pick is the one you will actually enjoy and use often.
What is an infrared sauna?
An infrared sauna uses panels that give off infrared heat. Instead of heating the whole room first, the panels warm your body more directly. The air in the room often feels less hot than in a traditional sauna.
Some people prefer this softer feel. Others miss the classic hot-room experience. Both are comfortable choices if they suit you.
Infrared rooms tend to be simple and quiet, which some people find easy to settle into.
Infrared panels are also used in the heated yoga room at Sathya, along with a commercial humidifier. That combination warms your muscles for movement without feeling like a steam room.
How do they feel different?
The easiest way to compare them is by feel.
- Cedar sauna: Warm air, a woodsy scent, and a classic sauna feel.
- Infrared sauna: Gentler air, and heat that feels like it reaches in more directly.
- Both: A quiet place to sit, breathe, and slow down.
Neither one is better for everyone. Many people pick based on comfort, scent, and how hot they like the air.
If you are new to saunas, a cedar room can feel very natural. If you are sensitive to hot air, you may like infrared more. Trying both is the best test.
Think about your preference for air. If you like deep, hot air and the smell of wood, cedar is likely your match. If hot air feels heavy to you, a gentler heat may be better.
Humidity matters too. A cedar room can feel dry or soft depending on the setup, and infrared rooms usually feel drier. Notice what your skin and breathing like.
Where does infrared fit in at Sathya?
The studio itself uses infrared panel heat plus a commercial humidifier in the heated room. That is how the hot yoga space is warmed.
The cedar sauna is separate. It is part of the Hot/Cold space, along with the cold plunge. Together they make the heat, cedar, cold, rest ritual.
Sathya has two studios, one heated and one non-heated, so you can choose your level of heat for class. Then you can choose cedar heat afterward, or skip it.
If you are curious, ask the front desk how the studio uses each type of heat. They are glad to explain.
How does a sauna fit after class?
Many people take class, rinse off, sit in the cedar sauna, and then use the cold plunge. It is a smooth way to wind down.
Want to see how the pieces fit together? Read why the order matters when you do sauna after yoga.
You can also use the sauna on its own, without a class, with a single visit or a Hot/Cold membership.
Many members use the cedar sauna after class and then step into the cold plunge. The result is a clean, calm finish to the day.
Which one should you try first?
If you want the classic sauna feel and the cedar scent, try the cedar sauna at Sathya. If you want to feel infrared heat, a heated yoga class is a great way to try it.
Pair either one with the cold plunge if you want the full contrast. A single sauna and cold plunge visit is $29, and the Hot/Cold membership is $99 a month. See pricing for details.
As always, people with health concerns should check with a doctor first.
Whichever you pick, the main point is the same. Heat gives you permission to slow down.
Come see the room for yourself. A visit costs $29, and you can decide in one session which style you like best.
Remember to drink water before and after any sauna type.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is cedar or infrared hotter?
A traditional cedar sauna usually heats the air more, so the room feels hotter. Infrared often feels milder in the air while still warming you. Comfort is personal, so try each and notice how you feel.
Does Sathya have an infrared sauna?
Sathya's sauna is cedar. The heated yoga studio uses infrared panel heat plus a commercial humidifier. The sauna and cold plunge are in the separate Hot/Cold space.
Why do people like cedar for saunas?
Many people enjoy its natural scent and warm look. The wood feels calm and earthy, which suits a space meant for rest. It is a matter of taste, but cedar is a classic choice.
Can I use the sauna if I have never done one before?
Yes. Start with a short, comfortable stay, drink water, and step out whenever you like. Staff can show you around the first time. Check with your doctor if you have health concerns.
From the Sathya team. Kim Johns and Gigi Gomez opened Sathya Hot Yoga & Wellness in Suwanee in August 2024: two studios, a cedar sauna, a cold plunge and a rope wall. Working in, not working out.
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