Understand.
Explain thermoregulation and distinguish the effects of temperature from those of immersion.
HomeXT / 01
XTherma · The online course
Explore the contrast.
Build your knowledge.
Understand how the body responds to heat and cold. Develop the foundations to guide each person with care.
EDUCATE · EQUIP · CERTIFY · ELEVATE↓ CONTINUE EXPLORING
An online courseCAD 500 for everyone7 chapters + 1 additional module
A COURSE FOR YOUR PRACTICE
Understand.
Observe.
Guide.
The right knowledge changes
the quality of your attention.
XTherma connects knowledge about heat and cold with the realities of thermal guidance: settings, individual responses, precautions and communication.
The course is designed for spa and thermal centre teams, health professionals, therapists and movement professionals. It also welcomes regular sauna and cold-bath users who want to deepen their understanding. Everyone applies their learning within their role and scope of practice.
The person, their responses and their limits stay at the centre of learning.
FOUNDATIONS FOR THERMAL GUIDANCE
One experience.
Several perspectives.
Choose a perspective to explore what XTherma invites you to understand.
THE BODY / THE ENVIRONMENT01 / 03
Knowledge provides direction.
What the body experiences
Understand.
Thermoregulation, heat exchange and environments: connect sensations to knowledge to better explain the experience.
Understand heat
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Solid foundations.
Informed practice.
Build the knowledge to understand, explain and adapt a thermal experience within the scope of your role.
Adjust.
Connect temperature, duration, environment and recovery to tolerance, goals and the person’s condition that day.
Observe.
Recognize signs that call for adjusting or stopping an exposure and referring the person.
Guide.
Prepare transitions between heat, cold and rest with principles of breathing, hydration and recovery.
Explain.
Communicate potential benefits while respecting the strength of the evidence and the limitations of studies.
Apply.
Apply XTherma principles in practical situations and document useful information for follow-up.
01Understanding the thermal experience
Set a clear intention and define your role in guiding the experience.
Understanding the thermal experience
Set a clear intention and define your role in guiding the experience.
The foundations
Goals of heat and cold exposure, physiological stress, adaptation and recovery.
An appropriate progression
Individual variation, progression and respect for the limits of practice.
Each person’s role
Distinguish guiding, informing, screening, diagnosing and prescribing within your professional role.
02The human body and thermoregulation
Understand how the body produces, conserves and dissipates heat.
The human body and thermoregulation
Understand how the body produces, conserves and dissipates heat.
Heat exchange
Transfers between the body, air, water and surfaces; core and peripheral temperature.
Systems at work
The roles of skin, blood circulation, sweating, the cardiovascular system and the autonomic nervous system.
03Understanding thermal dose
Connect exposure parameters to the person’s response.
Understanding thermal dose
Connect exposure parameters to the person’s response.
Exposure parameters
Temperature, duration, humidity, immersion, exposed body surface, repeated exposure and recovery between exposures.
The person and their environment
Acclimatization, fitness, individual perception and tolerance. Traditional and infrared saunas, hot and cold baths, immersion and contrast circuits.
04Physiological responses to heat and cold
Explore the body’s mechanisms, from entering the water to recovery.
Physiological responses to heat and cold
Explore the body’s mechanisms, from entering the water to recovery.
Breathing and circulation
Central and peripheral circulation, blood flow, blood redistribution, the role of the heart, gas exchange and oxygenation.
Responses to heat
Vasodilation, skin blood flow, sweating, cardiovascular workload, perceived thermal strain and adaptation to repeated exposure.
Responses to cold
Vasoconstriction, initial cardiovascular and respiratory responses, shivering, heat production and cooling of the extremities. Attention to breathing and individual differences.
Immersion and temperature
Hydrostatic pressure, blood displacement towards the chest and the specific effects of immersion, warm water and cold water.
Transitions and recovery
Leaving the heat, moving towards cold, returning to a more neutral temperature, gradual transitions and symptoms to watch for.
Hydration
Sweating, fluid loss, factors that increase requirements, and hydration before, during and after exposure.
Nasal breathing and nitric oxide
Links with circulation and oxygenation, nasal nitric oxide production and breathing techniques including humming. Distinguish plausible mechanisms from demonstrated clinical benefits.
05Individualizing the experience
Observe, ask, adapt and reassess throughout the experience.
Individualizing the experience
Observe, ask, adapt and reassess throughout the experience.
The person’s profile
Previous experience, tolerance, goals, the person’s condition that day, fatigue, hydration and comfort.
Ongoing adaptation
Physiological responses, health conditions and situations calling for particular care.
06Guiding a thermal experience
Turn knowledge into practical actions and conversations.
Guiding a thermal experience
Turn knowledge into practical actions and conversations.
Before, during and after
Welcome, questionnaire, information gathering, explanation, preparation, exposure selection, observation, progression, recovery and documentation.
Real-world situations
Adapt or stop an experience when symptoms appear, tolerance is difficult, a health issue is reported or a person wants to progress quickly. Communicate clearly and refer within your scope of practice.
07Developing a quality thermal practice
Build a shared method and a culture of safety.
Developing a quality thermal practice
Build a shared method and a culture of safety.
A structured practice
Standardizing good practice, team communication, documentation, follow-up and incident management.
Continuous improvement
Maintaining skills, responsible use of scientific literature and respect for professional boundaries.
THE ADDITIONAL MODULE
Heat.
A closer reading of the science.
Explore the effects and potential benefits of heat through the scientific literature.
- 01Immediate response
- 02Adaptation
- 03Potential long-term benefit
Topics explored
Cardiovascular health, vascular function, recovery, sleep, well-being, thermal stress responses and cellular mechanisms associated with heat.
A critical perspective
Distinguish observational findings from experimental trials, understand methodological limitations and communicate potential benefits in proportion to the evidence.
LEARN TO APPLY
Knowledge
taking shape.
Our teaching connects scientific explanations to situations encountered during a thermal experience.
Picture yourself in practice.
Case studies, scenarios, questionnaires and practical situations: learn to explain the experience, observe a response and choose an appropriate adjustment.
Work with useful tools.
Field reference sheets, screening and individualization tools, observation checklists and client explanation exercises, within your scope of practice.
SKILLS DEVELOPED AND ASSESSED
Gather information. Explain.
Recognize and refer.
Respond. Document.
Knowledge checks and practical situations support the integration of learning. XTherma Pro certification combines the XTherma course with an in-person cohort.
View the certification pathwaySCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE
Science2Perform and François Haman
Human physiology, thermoregulation and exposure to heat and cold.PRACTICE AND TEACHING
Humain360
Education, integrative health and knowledge transfer into practice.THE STARTING POINT
Start
with XTherma.
Knowledge comes first.
The option to continue towards certification comes next.
THE ONLINE COURSE
500 $
The same price for everyone.
Buy XTherma · $500 CADContinue in person towards XTherma Pro certification after the online course.
CLEAR ANSWERS
Answers
to your questions.
Understanding the pathway is your first step.
Let’s talk about your plansHow does the pathway to XTherma Pro work?
Start by purchasing and taking XTherma, the $500 CAD online course. Then attend an in-person certification cohort to continue towards XTherma Pro.
Do I need to finish XTherma before booking a cohort?
You can book the in-person session before completing XTherma. To attend, you must purchase and complete the online course before the cohort begins. Booking the in-person session and purchasing the course are separate steps.
Does the online course lead to certification?
XTherma Pro certification follows a pathway combining XTherma online and an in-person cohort. The online course is the first step in that pathway.
What are the fees for the next cohort?
For the first cohort at Spa Eastman, in-person participation excluding accommodation costs CAD 238.68, in addition to XTherma online at CAD 500. Two lunches and one dinner are included in on-site participation. Fees for future cohorts will be listed with each edition.
How do I book and ask about accommodation?
For the next cohort, call Spa Eastman at +1 450 297-3009. You can book your participation and ask about accommodation options and rates. Book the in-person session separately with the cohort venue. Accommodation is separate from the CAD 238.68 participation fee.