Every great movement starts with a moment that changes everything.
For Cindy and Dion Ruzicka, that moment came when life brought them to their knees — and then, through ice and fire, back to themselves.
When Dion was diagnosed with lymphatic leukemia, the world seemed to narrow overnight. The path ahead was filled with uncertainty, but together, they sought out natural healing modalities to support Dion's health and recovery through nature, movement, and ritual. Guided by intuition and inspired by global wellness leaders like Wim Hof and Dr. Susanna Søberg, they turned to contrast therapy — the ancient practice of cycling between heat and cold to strengthen the body and calm the mind.
What began as an act of survival became a way of life.
Through deliberate cold exposure, breathwork, and sauna practice, Dion’s health began to return. Within months, his energy, strength, and vitality came back. For Cindy, the ritual became an awakening of its own. It helped her overcome anxiety and alcohol dependence, release over 40 pounds, and reconnect with a deeper sense of purpose and vitality.
Out of that transformation came a new calling: to share this gift with others.
In December 2023, they opened Löyly Sauna Lounge in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood — a sanctuary designed to bring people together through contrast therapy and community. Unlike the private-suite model of most spas, Löyly was intentionally built as a communal space — a modern “third place” where people could reconnect with themselves and each other, free from the distractions of modern life and the pressures of performance.
Designed by Cindy, an award-winning interior designer, the space merges light, sound, scent, and texture into an immersive environment that honors both tradition and innovation. Here, healing happens in connection — through shared breath, laughter, and resilience.
Today, Cindy and Dion are more than founders; they are storytellers, teachers, and advocates for a new era of social wellness. As graduates of HEROIC Public Speaking and ambassadors for the Global Wellness Institute, they now share their journey on stages across the world — spreading a message of courage, healing, and the power of ritual.
Their story is proof that healing isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, relational, and communal. It’s a reminder that when we face the fire and the cold with open hearts, we discover not just recovery, but renewal.
At Löyly, that’s what we call the power of contrast — the balance between stress and surrender, between doing and being, between isolation and connection.
Step into the ritual.
Experience the practice that transformed two lives — and is now transforming a community.