Inside Liberty Station's breath work and cold plunge studio
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Getting ready for breathing exercises. Photo: Courtesy of Breathe Degrees
If you want to try something truly different, consider heavy breathing classes followed by a 42-degree cold plunge at Breathe Degrees.
The big picture: The studio just opened its second location in Liberty Station and is part of San Diego's booming wellness industry.
How it works: Breathe Degrees offers "breath work sessions" — guided classes with a series of deep belly breaths followed by holding your breath for up to two minutes.
- You can top that off with a plunge into a 42-degree pool, followed by a soak in a 104-degree hot tub.
- And then, of course, you go back into the cold plunge pool.
- You can also sit in the sauna that pushes 200 degrees.
Our thought bubble: We went to check out the phenomenon on Wednesday for the "Unwind Breath 45 + Extended Sound Bath" with Shira Shane, vice president of brand and one of the founding members.
- We found a yoga studio set up with what looked like nap spaces — cozy mats on the ground, pillows, blankets and eye masks.
- What happened next was anything but napping. Shane blasted techno-tribal music and shouted at us like a motivational spin instructor, but for breathing.
- "You're almost at the top of the mountain, keep pushing, breathe in and let it go," she said.
- Next came a sound bath of water drops, bowls and gongs you could feel throughout your body.
Then we headed to the cold plunge. Claire hates all cold water and was extremely anxious about it.
- Cruelly, Shane wouldn't say how long we had to stay in.
- The first 20 seconds were extremely painful, but then it actually wasn't that bad.
- Before we knew it, three minutes had passed.
Between the lines: Breathe Degrees claims they have the country's largest cold plunge. At 7 by 17 feet, it can fit up to 25 people and is designed to build community and social connection instead of being a solo experience.
- "The best way to do it is by suffering together," Shane told us.
- People take the frigid dip as a group and chat while they're in the pools.
- The conversation serves as a distraction in the cold tub and flows a little more freely in the hot tub.
What they're saying: "It's not exercise, it's inner-cise," Shane said, because it's focused on your respiratory and nervous systems versus your muscles.
Zoom in: Alternating between the cold plunge and hot tub or sauna is a type of contrast therapy meant to accelerate recovery by reducing soreness and inflammation, boosting mental clarity and speeding up your metabolism.
- Shane also said the breath work releases dopamine, serotonin and other brain chemicals to ease stress and anxiety.
Flashback: Shane started the business in 2021 with the studio in Carlsbad. It didn't take off right away because people were a little cautious about heavy breathing in a room full of strangers.
- But now, she said, they have more than 1,100 members, and many others use class packs or come for special events.
Follow the money: Prices range from $49 for four passes a month to $199 for unlimited access to classes, the cold plunge, hot tub and sauna.
What's next: Breathe Degrees has special nighttime events, including Aufguss, a sauna party that combines heat, music and aromatherapy, and happy hours with electrolyte mocktails.
- Breathe After Dark is a wellness party with a DJ, breath work, cold plunge, sauna rave, sound healing and food and drinks.
- Tonight's is nearly sold out, but there are more in July and August.