Get relaxed fast by visiting this new wellness space in Ontario

Ever wanted to take more time for yourself, but just don’t have the time to actually do it?

Enter one couple who were inspired by their time in California to bring a new concept to the ever-growing wellness space in Ontario, one where sessions don’t have to take all day to have benefits.

Daniel James and Steve McCrea are the minds behind Vortex Wellness, a new kind of health destination that just opened in Collingwood, Ontario.

“You’ve done the ‘spa thing’ – this is a new thing,” reads the Vortex website. “We’re flippin’ the script on self care to help you increase energy, decrease stress, and feel good fast in a cozy, luxurious space. (And you won’t be getting shushed by half-naked strangers… just sayin’.)”

Sessions range from a tight 10 minutes up to 60 minutes, with options like red light, infrared and compression treatments. They also offer some less commonly available treatments, like the Somadome meditation pod or a “halo” session that’s like a heated salt cave.

“We created a place where you don’t have to choose between luxury and efficiency,” James tells YourCityWithIN.com.

When it comes to their speediest treatments, Vortex offers options like vibroacoustic performance technology that’s supposed to use medical-grade frequencies to benefit the body within 15 minutes. NuCalm’s “neuroacoustic system guides your brain into a stressless state in minutes” and claims to provide an equivalent to restorative sleep.

“Our goal was to move away from wellness that felt clinical or medical and, instead, personal, inviting, vibrant and fun. We were tired of played out, drawn-out spa rituals and the idea that wellness needed to mean robes, mud masks and intimidating spaces where the staff speaks in whisper tones,” says James.

“We loved the idea of a high-tech, high-vibe, fast-track wellness studio with a cheeky personality, and Vortex was born. It wasn’t about cutting corners, it was about rethinking how wellness fits into our modern, hectic lives. We wanted to create a space that celebrates self-care and self-connection and lets you recharge your mind and body quickly.”

That kind of rethinking resulted in a space where you’re encouraged to watch Netflix while enjoying your treatments, a space with positive mantras on water bottles, name tags on plants and “no cheesy whale music and cucumber water.”

Vortex is attempting to take the intimidation factor out of both wellness technology and fitting “me time” into a busy schedule by intertwining their signature sense of fun with cutting edge treatments that can be realistically incorporated into chaotic modern life.

“We understand that time is the ultimate luxury and we want to take the excuse of ‘I don’t have time for self care’ out of the equation. In today’s non-stop world, most people don’t have hours to spare for a spa day or a weekend retreat,” says James.

“It’s easier than ever to live our lives on ‘low-power mode’ and let our personal wellness fall by the wayside. By creating a space with the best science-backed wellness tech under one roof to be experienced in quick, power-packed sessions, we help busy humans achieve the benefits of hours of relaxation in a fraction of the time. It’s all about maximizing “me time” without compromising on an incredible experience.”

Vortex Wellness uses a modular approach that allows you to book individual bite-sized sessions or stack treatments for your desired length of time. They’re also prioritizing grab-and-go style walk-in treatments.

“Our studio can accommodate ample same-day bookings, so when people are in need of a self care fix, we’re ready and waiting,” says James.

You don’t have to share or wait in line for private infrared sauna suites fully equipped with a personal shower, fridge and big screen TV, and other treatments like NuCalm take place in “personal wellness pods.”

“We also have the world’s first tech-enabled meditation pod that offers 20-minute meditation sessions that shift your state and enhance your energy field. Our TUNE vibroacoustic performance tech uses sound vibrations to recalibrate your nervous system and reduce stress by 54 per cent in just 15 minutes,” says James.

“We’ve outfitted our red light room with the exact same setup as pro sports teams so visitors can get a rejuvenating recharge in just 10 power-packed minutes. Plus, we smooth out the entire process with digital touches like pre-session videos and in-suite tech that makes the experience intuitive and hassle-free.”

So one question remains: do people actually feel like these express wellness sessions are working?

“Our visitors and members can’t stop raving that they feel more refreshed after a 40-minute session at Vortex than they did after a full day at a spa,” says James. “Whether it’s glowing five-star reviews, endless word-of-mouth referrals, or the countless requests for expansion into different towns and cities, it’s clear that people are loving the concept.”

With that said, James says Vortex is always looking to upgrade everything from their tech and equipment to their in-session entertainment options and definitely “getting prepped for expansion into the right locations at the right time.”