A Morning of Stillness at Arvo Suana & Plunge

Yesterday I spent the morning at Arvo, a relatively new sauna and plunge space in Walthamstow, and honestly, it was exactly what I needed.

Life has felt full recently. Excitingly full, but full nonetheless.

Between teaching classes, planning the next chapter of Nafas Wellness Studio, family life and all the things that come with running a business, I've found myself craving moments of stillness more than ever.

When Will and Jody invited me to experience Arvo, I jumped at the chance.

I grew up in Leyton and with my parents still living there, I'm often back in the area. It's been wonderful to watch Waltham Forest evolve over the years, with independent businesses creating spaces that bring people together and help foster a sense of community.

Arvo is one of those places.

Tucked away on Shernhall Street, they've transformed what many locals will remember as Arte Pasta into a beautiful sanctuary dedicated to rest, recovery and connection.

My morning started with the school run, followed by a decaf oat latte from Dudley's on Wood Street — a small ritual that always feels like a treat. From there, it was a short walk to Arvo.

For one whole hour, I switched off.

Well, almost.

I took a few photos, but aside from that, my phone stayed firmly out of sight.

Instead, I sat in the silent sauna with my book, moving between the warmth of the sauna and the invigorating plunge pools.

There was no pressure to do anything.

No emails.

No notifications.

No endless mental to-do list.

Just warmth, cold, stillness and space.

As someone who spends a lot of time teaching others about the importance of regulating the nervous system, I know all too well how easy it is to forget to prioritise those practices for ourselves.

Sometimes self-care isn't a massage, a retreat or a week away.

Sometimes it's simply carving out an hour to sit quietly and breathe.

By the time I left, I felt calmer, clearer and more grounded.

Not transformed.

Not magically cured of life's responsibilities.

Just reset.

And sometimes that's enough.

Thank you to Will and Jody for inviting me along. It's a beautiful addition to the local area and one I'll definitely be returning to.

If you're local and in need of a little pause, I'd highly recommend adding it to your list.

Kat ✨