Conceived during the pandemic, Circulate was influenced by the mental health crisis, rising costs and potential that community-based solutions could offer. A pilot initiative was developed (but not implemented) in 2021 with organizations from the health, culture and arts sectors to pilot a community hub to counter isolation with a community sauna and complementary modalities. Fast forward to 2022, an invitation was made to Steam Space by Walter Long to design a mobile sauna that would serve community and provide livelihood. The invitation came after he experienced the restorative healing of a Steam Space guided session. The collective building process, many sponsors, generosity and vision seeded the ripening conditions for Circulate to arise from the fertile ground. A founding board of directors came together quite seamlessly in 2023 to shape and direct Circulate in its mission as a non-profit organization.
Circulate collaborates with communities, individuals, organizations, businesses, and institutions that share our values and purpose.
Circulate is a non-profit organization fostering well-being and belonging by offering affordable and accessible complementary care, wellness practices and nature connection with communities.
A world where health and well-being is grounded in relationship with nature and community as an accessible pathway for all, regardless of background or circumstances.
All offerings stem from an awareness of and appreciation for nature that unite individuals to a sense of belonging. Our framework is to be in reciprocity with the land and local communities. Reducing patterns of consumption and waste in our process, we apply a regenerative ethos to create and circulate abundance for all life forms.
Thermal cycling and nature connection: We strive to create accessible pathways to nature and the thermal cycle for all who wish to participate by offering options that meet the needs of all bodies and practice levels.
Place/geography: Our goal is to reduce geographical barriers by making our offerings accessible by public transportation, biking, walking, or by foot.
All bodies: We welcome and honour all bodies and aim to be accessible for all. Our goal is to be wheel chair accessible.
At the root of our “why” is creating conditions for belonging and connection between humans and nature. We honour and celebrate our shared humanity by creating a socially and ecological just, peaceful and dignified world.
We operate from a trauma-informed lens where people’s dignity, and sense of belonging is our priority. We understand that people are impacted by trauma. As a result, we work to ensure our spaces, offerings and processes take on this consideration. Choice and consent are essential when experiencing any offerings with Circulate.
New Docklands Steam Baths in east London, UK is non-profit with a fascinating story.
Sjellesgade in Copenhagen, Denmark is non-profit open to all, including a weekly open house for the unhoused.
Jimjilbang - Korean public bathhouse
Sento - Japanese public bathhouse.
Public Banya/Pirts/Pirtis- in the Slavic and Baltic regions
Public Sauna - in Scandinavia. Sompasauna in Finland, Gothenburg, Solar Egg, Tanto Bastu, Sweden.
and more!
Steam Space has been operated as a mobile wood-fired community sauna enterprise since 2016 in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) by Josée-Ann Cloutier- inspired by decades of exploring traditional bathing and spa cultures worlwide. Josee's knowledge of the health benefits of thermal bathing (hot/cold therapy) and her experience of public accessibility of thermal bathing as a way of life among various cultures, combined, became for her a bright north star. She conceived of Circulate during the pandemic, influenced by the mental health crisis, rising costs and the potential for wellness that community-based solutions had to offer. An initiative was developed in 2021 collaboratively with organizations from the health, culture and arts sectors to pilot a community hub to counter isolation with a community sauna and complementary modalities.
Walter Long learned about Josee's vision and concept and experienced the potential and possibility. The Longs invited a proposal for what a design concept could look like that serves and enhances community and accessibility for the Annapolis Valley.
The design and building process started with the Dalhousie Architecture School’s Free Lab in the summer of 2022. Students and faculty spent two weeks designing and building the frame on the trailer. Over 12 organizations and individuals contributed to the build. The sauna build was complete in November 2022.
The Circulate Initiative is a partnership with Engage Nova Scotia to understand the need for, response to, and impact of a publicly available community sauna. Acadia University and the Town of Wolfville were invited to participate. Cat Frawley was the first hire to set up and support logistics. Free and sliding scale sessions were offered in the Wolfville Rotary park in October, 2023.
A Board of Directors was formed to initiate a non-profit organization in July, 2023.
Planning Student, Dalhousie University, Community Coordinator
Social Worker, Child and Youth Therapist
Co-Founder, P4G
Attorney
Salon owner, Playwright
EAL Instructor, ISANS
Founding Director, Josée-Ann Cloutier
Creating pathways for well-being, bridging silos and systems change in service to the whole guides Josée, a Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia) based body-mind practitioner, wellness designer, facilitator, and organizer. A French settler with Northern Franco-Ontarian roots, she is passionate about cultivating belonging in nature and community. She started going to the sauna with her family at 7 years old. In 2016, she founded Steam Space, hosting mobile sauna sessions, guiding rituals, and consulting on experience design. Josée believes in the power of a community based sauna practice, thermal cycling and nature connection to restore our shared humanity and relationships. With a vision to circulate the myriad health benefits in accessible and safe ways more widely as a tool for community building and social justice, Josée established Circulate, a non-profit organization, in 2023.
Josée has a Master of Arts in Wellness and Spa Service Design from the University of Tartu in Estonia with a research focus on community wellness design in retreat settings. She has a Management degree, specializing in Entrepreneurship from Dalhousie University. She specializes in somatic-based practices with certifications in relaxation massage, cupping, spa therapies, somatic attachment therapy, and meditation. Guided by a deep curiosity for social and natural health practices, Josée has travelled much of the world to learn and connect with cultures that recognize and democratize public bathing as a health measure available to all. She trained in traditional sauna practices in the Baltics, and worked at a Nordic spa guiding guest experiences and leading Aufguss rituals. From 2016 – 2020, Josée consulted and lectured with Dalhousie Architecture School on bathhouse spa design. She continues to lightly consult on hydrotherapy-based spa and sauna design projects at Steam Space where she runs her practice as a guide and facilitator.
Learn how a community sauna in a public park impacts well-being
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