New Wellness Studio With "Sauna Socials" Is Opening in Miami

Coral Gables is about to get a little cooler, a little hotter, and, hopefully, a whole lot more relaxed. Pause Studio, the experiential wellness brand known for merging ancient healing practices with cutting-edge tech, has opened its latest South Florida outpost at the Plaza Coral Gables.

The Coral Gables studio is the latest endeavor for co-owners Whitney and Jonathan Culp, who launched Pause — which has another location in Oakland Park — to solve what they call "the challenges and needs of modern-day life." Whether it’s physical recovery after a killer HIIT session, mental decompression after a day of back-to-back Zoom calls, or a much-needed boost for cellular health, Pause has a modality for it. Think infrared sauna, contrast therapy, cryotherapy, float therapy, compression therapy, LED light therapy, vitamin therapy, and more.

"You can’t stop life where it is," Whitney tells New Times. “It’s going to keep going. We’re offering the ability to press pause, take a breath, recover, and take care of yourself.”

While Coral Gables regulars may already have their favorite yoga flow or pilates instructor, Jonathan believes Pause fills a gap in the city’s wellness scene. "Miami’s got a great fitness culture, but there’s still a gap in science-backed recovery. We’re positioned to be the go-to resource for a sophisticated, wellness-minded community."

The studio’s signature experience is the private suite, a space where you can slip into your own infrared sauna, plunge into cold water, shower with luxe bath products, and leave feeling like you've pushed a reset button. A suite typically costs $99 for a one-hour session.

Coral Gables is also the launch pad for Pause’s newest concept: Sauna Social, which runs $35 for a 60-minute session.

"We recognized a growing movement toward the social aspect of wellness," Jonathan says. "Sauna Social is a large, 10-person sauna with two, two-person cold plunges. People can drop in to meet others or book the space with friends after a workout." Whitney adds that guided breathwork and curated group sessions will also be on the menu, offering a European-inspired take on sauna culture, Miami-style.

Those new to the recovery game shouldn’t feel intimidated. Whitney says the Pause team tailors recommendations to each guest. "If someone’s weary of IV therapy or a cold plunge, we might start them with something more approachable, like cryotherapy for inflammation. Once people dip their toes in, they tend to get more comfortable testing their boundaries."

Opening day, Saturday, August 16, will double as a community celebration. Wellness Collective: A Morning to Pause will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring complimentary mini sessions of Pause’s treatments and outdoor fitness classes with local studios. Tickets for the opening cost $10, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Junior League of Miami.

Community partnerships are part of Pause’s business plan. In Coral Gables, expect collaborations with gyms, recovery-focused events for athletes, and integrated classes pairing fitness with recovery. Beyond the Gables, the Culps are already eyeing growth, with locations slated for Brickell and Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour.

Still, Jonathan says that Pause is not a spa. "We bridge clinical treatment with a premium wellness experience. It’s a performance ecosystem focused on measurable outcomes like nervous system regulation and cellular regeneration." Translation: Whether you’re visiting to push your limits, slow your roll, or finally find out what all the NAD+ IV buzz is about, there's likely a new treatment for you to try here.

Pause Studio Coral Gables. Opening Saturday, August 16 at the Plaza Coral Gables, 111 Palermo Ave. #214, Coral Gables; 305-239-5619; pausestudio.com.