The book “Sauna – The Essence of Finland” presents the Finnish Sauna with its meanings and traditions and makes it understandable to foreigners. Sauna is Finnish Wellbeing, but it is by no means a spa experience. In the book our strange and very strong connection to the sauna is well described, in words and with pictures. There are for sure many surprising things you will learn about Finnish Sauna, e.g. that even dogs love it, there are concerts held in a sauna and that the sauna tradition includes also the things you do after the sauna.
Another fascinating thing is that a sauna is not a fixed, defined space, there are many, many different saunas in Finland. The mother of all saunas is the smoke sauna, the most traditional one, these exist since “the beginning of times”. Finns living abroad miss the sauna and I have heard about a tent sauna being put up on a beach in Thailand as well as in a suburb in South Africa. We are also very good at reinventing the sauna, time and again. The ice saunas have become quite popular and it is a surreal experience to have a hot bath in a building made of cold crystal clear ice.
Picture is from Isokenkäisten Klubi Seven Stars Smoke SaunaThe Finnish Sauna is a way too wide and important thing to write only one entry about. Therefore we will share a series of sauna experiences with you, reflecting on how Finns and foreigners feel about the sauna. You are most welcome to share your sauna experiences and thoughts, comment and ask questions!
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Indeed, saunas are part of the Finnish culture and tradition. They regard this practice as part of their health regimen, an ancient form of bathing. It is said that the Finns usually soak in these baths the night before any festivity or celebration, as part of their preparation. But the main benefit of saunas is the complete relaxation of both mind and body, and the feeling of well-being after being exposed to dry heat.
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