The Temple

Built by hand in the spring of 2023 The Temple Of The Yummy Heart operates as a tea lounge, bodywork studio and home for ceremony. Designed by Aidan McCarthy and built by several members of the Yummy Heart community, the Temple was customized to transport people out of the cement gridlock of Los Angeles and into a place of safety and forest mystery.

The dodecagon (12 sided structure) houses two entrances (including a dutch door), copper conduits running from the soil to the ceiling, three different windows including; custom-crafted stained glass, Himalayan salt brick, and copper-mesh, 6 skylights, plus a central sky-dome and an interior walls made out of Blue Pine.

The cozy interior is carpeted with soft shag and sheep skin rugs, meditation cushions, and a variety of blankets for comfort. The room is filled with the amber glow of Himalayan salt lamps, candlelight and the aroma of essential oils and California native herbs. The shelves boast over 60 varieties of herbs and teas and the central customized tea table serves up to 15 guests with a selection of different ornate tea cups.

Check out Tuesday Tisane Ceremonies and Heart Gym pages for more information on the activities that take place in The Temple. If interested in booking the space for your next gathering please reach out to Brett via the Contact page.

Garden Spa

The Yummy Heart Garden is a home for California native plants, edible delights, medicinal herbs and an escape from the cement infrastructure of Los Angeles. Whether its resting in the hammock underneath the Chinese Elm Trees or dipping into the cold plunge, the backyard oasis will regulate your nervous system and leave you feeling rejuvenated.

The garden features a hand-built cedar sauna with rooftop deck, outdoor hot and cold shower, cold plunge, dining area, lounging zone and outdoor movie theater that is accessible during community events and available for private rentals.

Benefits of Sauna

  1. Cardiovascular Health: Regular sauna use can improve cardiovascular function. The heat increases heart rate, similar to moderate exercise, and can improve circulation and lower blood pressure.
  2. Detoxification: Sweating in a sauna can help flush out toxins from the body. While most detoxification is done by the liver and kidneys, sweating can enhance this process by removing substances through the skin.
  3. Stress Relief: The heat in a sauna can help relax muscles, soothe nerves, and reduce stress levels. The calm environment allows for mental relaxation as well.
  4. Pain Relief: The heat from a sauna can relieve pain by increasing circulation, which helps reduce muscle soreness, arthritis pain, and chronic headache.
  5. Immune System Boost: Regular sauna sessions can boost the immune system. The heat may increase the production of white blood cells, which fight off illness.
  6. Skin Health: Sauna use can open pores and help cleanse the outer skin. Regular sessions can improve skin elasticity, texture, and tone.
  7. Respiratory Benefits: The warm, dry air can help open airways, loosen phlegm, and reduce congestion in the lungs.

Benefits of Cold Plunge

  1. Enhances Circulation: Cold water immersion causes blood vessels to constrict, which helps flush blood through your arteries and veins. Upon exiting the cold plunge, blood vessels dilate, and blood flow increases, improving circulation.
  2. Reduces Inflammation: Cold plunges are effective in reducing muscular inflammation and soreness post-exercise, which can be beneficial for recovery after intense physical activities.
  3. Boosts Energy and Endorphins: The shock of cold water can increase heart rate and adrenaline levels, leading to a burst of energy and a release of endorphins, making you feel invigorated.
  4. Improves Mental Resilience: Regular exposure to cold water can enhance mental toughness and may help to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety due to the natural endorphin rush.
  5. Strengthened Immune Response: Regular cold plunging can lead to an increase in white blood cells and other factors of the immune system, which can enhance the body's ability to fight off infections.
  6. Metabolism Boost: Cold exposure can stimulate brown fat, a type of fat tissue that burns energy to create heat, which may help with weight loss as part of a broader health regime.

Combined Benefits

When used in conjunction (such as in a cycle of sauna followed by a cold plunge), these two practices can amplify each other's benefits. This combination can create a thermal shock to the system that enhances both cardiovascular function and the immune response, accelerates muscle recovery, and provides a profound feeling of rejuvenation.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to Brett via the Contact page and he will be happy to answer them.

Sauna & Cold Plunge FAQ

Is it dangerous to stay in the sauna for too long?

Staying in a high-temperature sauna for prolonged periods can lead to dehydration, dizziness, fatigue and in extreme cases heat stroke. It is recommended to stay in for short intervals between 10-15 minutes at a time, then to take breaks, cool off, hydrate and then return for another round.

How hot does the sauna get?

The hottest the sauna gets is 210 degrees Fahrenheit, however it generally ranges between 170-190 degrees. There are three tiers of seating, all with about 20-30 degrees of difference between them.

How cold does the cold plunge get?

The tub itself has the ability to get down to 39 degrees Fahrenheit, however it is normally chilled between 45-48 degrees.

How long should I stay in the cold plunge?

This is a question with many answers. It really depends on the person, their constitution, intention and experience. There are some specialists who conclude that staying in for 2-3 minutes will bring forth the optimal benefits for the body and nervous system. Brett believes that there is no right way to measure the experience and sometimes just the thought of getting in is that day's victory. His practice, these days, is not to measure time or breath, yet to close his eyes and become present with the sensations in his body until he listens for the cues to get out.

Can I get hypothermia from the cold plunge?

Yes, it is possible to get hypothermia in cold temperature water if staying in for prolonged periods of time, however, a few resources report that if entering water between 40-50 degrees fahrenheit it would take around 45 minutes to develop hypothermia.

What is the clothing policy?

For the cold plunge, sauna and outdoor shower, you are invited to dress/undress to your comfort level. The Yummy Heart believes in an environment where body positivity/acceptance can be practiced and embraced, so clothing is optional and left to the individual. While nudity is invited; bathing suits, sarongs, towels, and workout clothes are commonly worn.

Treatment Room

The Treatment Room offers a cozy and private space for consultations and session work. Designed to activate one’s parasympathetic nervous system into a state of rest and digest, the room features a running fountain, massage table with warming pad, infrared heat lamp, towel warmer, blackout curtains, oil diffuser, dimmable lights, speaker system and multiple props for support on and off the table. The room is crafted to be adjustable so that each client decides which setting will best suit their individual needs and comforts.