Although a day at the spa might call to mind a fancy hotel or a rustic retreat, this is Austin. This casual hippie city knows how to have its body work in a bungalow and enjoy it, too. Among these casual destinations is Ceremony Spa on South Lamar, one of the city's longest-standing destinations for self-care, which is getting its own glow-up this summer. After 14 years in business, Ceremony Social SpaSpa (formerly WorkWell Austin) on South Lamar is expanding again.

This project is hot and cold, offering more chances to enjoy the sauna and cold plunge area that opened in fall of 2023. Changes have been rolling out slowly, from the addition of the necessary equipment to more subtle changes like a colorful mural and recently, new hours. But the space at 1706 S. Lamar is serving its purpose, and that success is bringing it to the next level.

Goals include adding a sauna and a cold plunge, totaling two of each to double the offerings that exist right now. Another new addition will be a wet room for showers and body scrubs, featuring calming blue tiles by Clay Imports, an Austin tile maker that specializes in terracotta.

The area is split into two houses — one in the front and one in the back. The new sauna and cold plunge space constitutes about a third of the back house, by spa owner Asenath Avinash's estimation, and the remaining two-thirds are going to be part of this summer's changes, resulting in one full "old Austin" bathhouse.

A press release offers some benefits from these temperature-based treatments: "increased energy level, circulation, immune function and skin health, and a reduction in stress, inflammation, and soreness." Even more important, perhaps, than the temperature is the environment, which departs from the austerity of some spas and instead leans into community connection and fun. Visitors in groups are a main part of the spa's clientele.

As in real estate, location is everything, and the South Austin location — the business' fourth, at which it's remained since 2005 — offers a peaceful semi-natural escape. Both the sauna and cold plunge are outside in a small courtyard shaded by trees and a roof overhang. Hammocks and a patio table provide some places to hang out in between treatments.

In the front house, clients can continue to enjoy massage, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, and somatic movement.

Sauna and cold plunge sessions last two hours between 7:30 am and 9 on weekdays, or 9:30 am and 9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors can purchase sessions at a drop-in rate ($44) online. Discounts in 10-packs and unlimited monthly memberships are also available, plus hourly rentals of the entire space. More information is available at ceremonyspa.com.