planning your visit
The KOSA experience is imbued with love, care, and compassion.
We are here to support you with presence, to meet you where you are, and to care for you during your stay.
Please read on to learn about your KOSA experience.
Making Kosa Accessible to You
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Absolutely. We’re happy to accommodate breastfeeding guests. We can safely store breast milk during your visit, and we can provide a private space for pumping.
Please let us know ahead of your visit so we can make sure everything is ready for you.
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Yes. Kosa is ADA compliant. If you require assistance moving throughout the space or have an accessibility need we should be aware of before your visit, please let us know ahead of time. We want your visit to be as seamless as possible.
We are located on the second floor. Follow the signs to Garver’s elevator.
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We welcome guests who speak languages other than English. We can accommodate your translators.
To read our full inclusivity statement, please visit our Values page:
Before Your Visit
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Before your visit, please complete your online intake forms. These simple, click-through forms help us understand your needs and personalize your experience.
If you are booked for Shirodhara, please avoid alcohol and other mood- or mind-altering substances for 24 hours before your service.
If you are pregnant, please let us know when booking. Some services, including Abhyanga, are not appropriate during pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding, essential oils are contraindicated.
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Our Community Retreat Steam and Sauna experiences are available to guests 18 and older. Guests ages 15–17 are welcome to receive treatment services when accompanied by an adult throughout their visit and who remains in the treatment room and receives a service at the same time.
Cancellations & Late Arrivals
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Your appointment is considered confirmed when it is booked, whether or not you receive or respond to a reminder or confirmation message.
We ask for at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule.
A credit card is required to hold your appointment. Cancellations made within the 48-hour window are subject to a 60% cancellation fee. Cancellations made within the day-of or no shows, are subject to a 100% cancellation fee, as we have already set the staffing for the day.
Because your appointment time is reserved especially for you, we apply this policy to all cancellation reasons, including illness. If you experience extenuating circumstances, you may request to speak with the owner.
There are no cancellation fees for Community Sauna Retreats.
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Please call us at 608.999.7558 or email us. If we are unable to answer the phone, please leave a message. Your cancellation will be considered received at the timestamp of your message (including when the spa is closed).
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We want you to receive the full benefit of your service, so please plan to arrive 15–20 minutes early.
Arrivals more than 20 minutes late, as well as same-day cancellations and no-shows, are subject to a 100% fee.
For services of 45 minutes or less, arrivals that are late enough that the service cannot be performed are also subject to a 100% late-arrival fee.
Arriving at Kosa
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Please arrive 15–20 minutes before your scheduled service. This gives you time to park, check in, complete any remaining intake forms, change, and settle in before your treatment begins.
If your service is on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, you have up to three hours using our communal steam and sauna before and/or after your service, within our hours of operation.
Arriving early helps us protect your full service time.
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Kosa is located on the mezzanine level of Garver Feed Mill. You may enter through either of the main Garver entrances and make your way upstairs. Kosa is located on the east side of the mezzanine, close to the elevators.
Our address:
3241 Garver Green, Suite 260
Madison, WI 53704Please enter from Fair Oaks Avenue
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Yes. Parking is available at no cost in the Garver Feed Mill parking lots.
Parking can get busy during Garver’s events: public ones like the Midwest Flea Market, and private ones like weddings.
Garver is proud to host the Winter Farmers' Market (the winter location of the original Madison Farmers’ Market on the Square) on Saturdays, January through April, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. During Farmers Market season, please allow additional time for parking and walking to Kosa. There is one overflow parking lot north of the building. Additional street parking can be found on Fair Oaks Avenue and Emmet Street, and is about a 5-10 minute walk.
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We strive to offer a safe space for everyone. We recognize and apologize that we are unable to provide an all-gender locker room at this time. We have a “female” and “male” locker room.
Please use the locker room that best aligns with your needs. If you have questions about our locker rooms or would like to discuss your options before your visit, please contact us and we’ll be happy to provide more information.
What to Expect
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Upon arrival, the front desk will ask for your name and check you in. You will be given a pair of slippers and a robe. Your outside shoes will be stored in the locker room, and you can lock up your personal items in your own locker.
You will head out the back door and be greeted by one of our staff with tea, then guided to our Sanctuary Lounge where you can relax, decompress, and until your practitioner comes for you.
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Most guests choose to wear nothing underneath their robe during treatments, but there is no requirement to undress completely. You are welcome to keep on whatever clothing or undergarments you prefer. Many of our treatments involve a generous amount of warm oil, which may transfer to clothing. To protect your garments, you might prefer to remove items with straps, such as bras, prior to your service.
Your practitioner will maintain appropriate draping throughout your service.
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Your Kosa treatment begins with an herbal foot bath and a brief Ayurvedic health and/or skin consultation. This gives your practitioner an opportunity to understand what you need that day and personalize your service with appropriate oils, pressure, and techniques.
Depending on the nature of your visit, this consultation may take up to 10 minutes of your scheduled service time.
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Kosa treatments are designed to be slow, intentional, and restorative. Our treatment rooms are quiet spaces filled with the sounds of fountains and white noise rather than music.
If you prefer a darker room, please let us know when booking. We are happy to accommodate this whenever possible.
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Yes. After your treatment, you are welcome to spend up to 30 minutes in our Sanctuary Lounge.
The Sanctuary is a quiet space with comfortable couches, blankets, books, tea, herbal-insued water, and space to simply be.
If you are visiting with friends or a group, we ask that you remain mindful of the quiet environment so that all guests can enjoy their retreat.
To learn more about what to expect during your service, visit our Services page:
What Should I Bring?
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Not much!
We provide everything you need for your visit, including:
A locker with a lock
Robes in inclusive sizes
Towels
Slippers
Kosa’s locally made organic soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Lotion
Hair dryer
Swimsuit bags
We do not provide facial cleansers, so if you prefer to wash your face after your treatment, we recommend bringing your own.
Hair brushes are also not provided in the locker rooms. We offer high-quality hair brushes and neem combs for purchase at Kosa if you’d like one for your visit and to take home.
You may also want to bring any personal toiletries or hair products you prefer to use.
Many of our treatments use a generous amount of warm oil, so if you plan to shower afterward, we recommend allowing extra time to wash and style your hair. When receiving a scalp oil treatment, apply a generous amount of shampoo directly to your hair before adding water (water and oil repeal each other), rinse, and then wash again.
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We encourage you to leave digital devices at home or in your locker. Exceptions include reading devices like Kindles. If you have an overriding exception and need to have your device, please indicate that in your appointment notes or intake paperwork
Kosa is intentionally designed as a space to disconnect, slow down, and turn inward. We ask that phones and other devices remain in your locker during your retreat.
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You are welcome to bring a journal or book if you’d like something to support your quiet time. There is a curated mindfulness library that is intended for our guests to make use of.
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We recommend leaving valuables at home whenever possible. Kosa is not responsible for lost or misplaced items.
Sauna, Steam & Retreats
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Our Personal Retreat and Community Spa experiences include time in our hot stone sauna, hydrotherapy steam room, meditation space, and Sanctuary Lounge.
You’ll also have access to tea, snacks, herbal-infused water, and our wisdom library.
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For a Personal Retreat, you may wear a swimsuit or use one of our organic towels.
For a Community Retreat, swimsuits are required (under garments are prohibited) because the space is shared with other guests. While walking through the space, we ask that clients wear a KOSA robe.
Food & Beverages
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Yes. Kosa has a kitchen where we prepare nourishing food and beverages for our guests.
Throughout your visit, you’ll find a selection of teas, infused water, and other beverages available. Khichdi, a warm Ayurvedic dish made with rice, lentils, vegetables, and healing spices, is also available upon request.
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Absolutely. Guests are welcome to book a Khichdi meal as part of their visit. Meals can be added to your schedule when booking, so you can plan your time at Kosa around your treatment, retreat, and nourishment.
If you’d like to enjoy a Khichdi meal during your visit, we recommend booking it in advance so we can have everything prepared for you.
Our Khichdi is vegetarian and gluten free. Let us know the week before if you would like a vegan meal to be made for you.
Our food is made in a kitchen where nuts and soy are used.
Gratuity
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Yes. To make the experience simple and seamless, we automatically add gratuity to your service.
22% gratuity is added to services and is shared between your Therapist and Spa Guest Hosts.
18% gratuity is added to Personal Retreats and food for the Spa Guest Hosts.
Gratuity is added to the quoted service price.
Noble Silence
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Kosa is a place to step away from the noise and pace of everyday life.
We invite you to embrace quiet during your time with us. Please keep conversations to a minimum and leave digital devices in your locker so that you—and the guests around you—can fully settle into the experience.
One Last Thing
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Come as you are.
You don’t need to know anything about Ayurveda or have your visit all figured out. Our role is to meet you where you are, listen to what you need, and help create an experience that feels nourishing and supportive.
We look forward to welcoming you to Kosa.
Madison is a cultural, culinary, nature, and wellness hub with that warm midwest charm. There is so much to do, and you can build an itinerary around your time at Kosa.
Here are some of our favorite things:
Hotels (ask for 10% discount)
The Wilson - 10 min from spa, fully furnished apartments with kitchens, dining, and custom design
Hotel Indigo - 10 min from spa, eclectic repurposed paint factory downtown
Seven Acre Dairy - 20 min from spa, boutique hotel with locally sourced food, beautiful setting by a river
Covington Manor - 20 min from spa, wellness B&B on a charming Main Street in Cambridge
The Lakehouse - For larger groups. A beautifully appointed house on Lake Monona, complete with kayaks, paddleboards, a sauna, and hot tub.
Food
Ahan - James Beard winning chef Korean fusion, funky
Mintmark - James Beard nominee; small plates, fun cocktails
Sardine - Madison favorite, on water, great seafood
Garver (you could spend the whole day here!)
Perennial Yoga - take in a flow before your spa time
Ledger Coffee Roasters - roasted onsite
Ian's Pizza - high quality ingredients, famous for Mac 'n Cheese pizza!
Roll Play - Korean street food, boba tea, and games
Garver Lounge - craft cocktails, locally sourced food and brunches
Garver Patio - grab a beer or coffee and enjoy sitting outside, often live music
Things to do
Olbrich Gardens - world class botanical gardens right behind Garver
UW Memorial Union Terrace - best venue on the water with beautiful sunset! beer, brats, live music
Rutabaga - rent a canoe or kayak on one of our many lakes and rivers
BCycle - rent an e-bike through the city on the Capital City Trail right behind Garver
Read this wonderful AFAR article about how to eat your way through the city!