Pause, a US recovery franchise, has partnered with holistic programming platform Alo Moves to deliver on-demand breathwork and meditation.

Pause is currently on track to have 25 franchised studios open across the US by the end of 2025. Studio generally range in size between 2,600-3,000sq ft in size and each locations’ multiple suites have an infrared sauna (by Clearlight), cold plunge tub (by ColdTub), private showers, flotation tank (by Superior Float Tanks) and a cryotherapy chamber (supplied by CryoBuilt).

Alo Moves – known for its growing library of digital exercise and wellness classes in Pilates, meditation, yoga, and more – has created a new Contrast Therapy Series for Pause.

The range of guided audio breathwork meditation experiences has been recorded by Wim Hof-certified instructor Kira Mae Kazuko. They last from 30 seconds to 3.5 minutes to allow guests of all levels of experience to enjoy cold plunge sessions in Pause’s suites.

Though Alo Moves has a business division devoted to virtual reality programming in partnership with MetaQuest (called Alo Moves XR) the audio series created for Pause is played via an iPad mounted next to the cold plunge, meaning no headset is required.

Plans are also underway to expand the immersive audio programming to Pause’s other facilities, such as guided meditations that support flotation therapy, cryotherapy, LED light beds and more.

A spokesperson for Pause told Spa Business and HCM: “Any Pause customer who books a service where the content is integrated (such as the cold plunge) can access it at no additional cost. Pause members also receive special perks, including an exclusive offer to join Alo Moves at a discounted rate. Even if they’re already subscribers, they get additional savings.”

They added: “The partnership with Alo Moves is designed to expand awareness of the Pause brand through cross-promotion to Alo’s audience, drive in-studio traffic through exclusive offerings and enhance the guest experience in-studio. Our goal is to build loyalty, engagement and long-term retention with this partnership.

“We’re actively exploring more ways to collaborate with Alo and Alo Moves beyond the studio, including community events and co-hosted activations across the country,” the spokesperson continued. “Our current integration is just the beginning.”

John Klein, CEO and co-founder, Pause, said: “Partnering with Alo Moves felt like a natural fit. It gives our guests a deeper, more supportive experience and opens the door for community connection nationwide. We’re excited to share audiences – introducing Pause members to Alo’s platform and welcoming their community into our studios.”

Pause

Pause, which was co-founded in 2016, is planning global expansion after it has conquered the US market.

The company partnered with a full-service franchise growth company called REP’M Group in 2022 to scale the business.

Jeff Ono, co-founder and president of Pause, told Spa Business, "Global expansion is certainly on the horizon, and we’re excited to explore international growth when the time is right and the momentum aligns. With new locations opening in key markets, our priority right now is to deepen our impact across the U.S by supporting our franchisees in opening and operating profitable locations."

The next studios to open are in Coral Gables in Florida, Greenwich in Connecticut, Summerlin in Las Vegas, Long Beach in California and West Nashville in Tennessee.

The company’s website describes the business as a disruptor in the spa industry. It advertises the opportunity to franchise as one that creates high profit margins with a labour-light model and accessible pricing. It outlines multiple revenue streams, stackable services and a scalable model with support on hand.

In addition to the contrast bathing and flotation therapy facilities, Pause locations offer guests LED light therapy, vitamin IV drips and shots as well as compression therapies by Normatec.

Pause leadership

Jeff Ono and John Klein are no strangers to the wellness industry, having both worked together as former executives at Equinox.

Ono is a marketing, management and strategy expert with more than 15 years in the health, wellness and hospitality sector.

Klein led the national expansion for both Equinox and Soulcycle from 2002 to 2018 as the senior VP of real estate and growth for Equinox.

Alo

Alo originally started as a luxury yoga clothing company called Alo Yoga when it was founded in 2007. It started offering yoga classes via an app called Cody but this app became Alo Moves and the library of wellbeing and fitness classes increased.

In October 2024, Alo Moves XR was launched on the Meta Quest platform. Developed by Magnopus, the app uses volumetric capture to bring 3D instructors to life in mixed reality. Room mapping and object detection allow users wearing VR headsets to practice safely.