Sauna Culture Around the World

Typically a small room, sauna is designed to be a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions. Sauna bathing is a well-loved ritual throughout the world, and its many variances have evolved over time and in different cultures… and we have Finland, the sauna country, to thank.

Sauna culture in Finland

Did you know that Finland has 5.3 million people and 3.3 million saunas? That’s almost one for every two people. In Finland, sauna is a part of the daily life, and they’ve been used in the Finnish culture for several thousand years. Sauna is seen as not only a bathhouse or winter dwelling in Finland, but also as a place for birth, death, and taking care of the sick — some call it a “poorman’s pharmacy”. It is said that if you don’t experience sauna, then you don’t experience Finland.

The oldest type of Finnish sauna are smoke saunas (no chimneys), which take about five to six hours to heat up. These types of saunas use a stove, where the smoke escapes through a hole in the ceiling. Smoke saunas produce a soot that covers the wood walls and leave a smokey aroma. Nowadays, the most common ones are electric and wooden saunas, which typically use a stove known as a ‘kiuas’ to heat the space. Löyly is the heat and steam that surrounds you in the sauna as water is poured on the hot rocks.

In Finland, it’s typical to warm up in the sauna and then jump in the sea/lake or roll around in snow in the winter to cool off… or even enjoy a chilled beer afterwards. The Finns also like to include a practice called ‘vasta’—or ‘vihta’—where a bundle of birch branches are whipped on the skin. It’s said to increase circulation and soothe sore muscles.

Sauna culture in Turkey /the Middle East

Called a Hammam, this type of treatment is considered a form of public bathing, cleansing, and relaxation. Traditionally, you begin in a room to warm the body. Then, a second room to wash a cleanse the body. Thirdly is a room for cooling down the body since it is set at a lower temperature. After completing the bathing procedure, one can then go to a masseur.

Sauna culture in Mexico/Central America

Held in a stone, igloo-like structure, Temazcal, is a traditional Mexican sweat lodge. This type of steam bath is designed to clear your mind and body of negativities and impurities. While the body benefits from detoxification through sweating, the spirit is also renewed through a ritual and spiritual practice. Traditionally, hot river rocks are on a wood fire then brought inside the lodge. Today, more modern structures are heated with gas. Inside the Temazcal, people are encouraged to participate in a ceremony, rub their bodies with aloe, or hit themselves with herbs. As a post-ritual cool-down, you might be invited to take a dip in the ocean or a pool, or take a cold shower.

Sauna culture in Laos

An herbal steam sauna—‘hom yaa’— is very popular in Laos, especially with women. Various mixtures, such as yogurt and ground coffee, are applied on the skin as a beauty treatment. The sauna is heated by wood fire, and herbs can be added directly to the boiling water or as part of the steam. A steam can be infused with fresh herbs and spices, such as lemongrass, basil, mint, rosemary and eucalyptus. It’s typical that Bael fruit tea—muktam—is served.

Sauna culture in Russia

A Banya is a Russian steam bath with a wood stove, where sauna rocks are used to warm the space. In Russia, public saunas are strictly single-sex. Similar to Finland, Russians use bath brooms—‘venik’—made from a collection of soft tree branches to gently beat and clean the body. The Banya is a special place where people come together to have more conversations about life and share their ideas or beliefs with one another. It’s typical to take a break from the heat and relax by sipping on an aromatic or herbal tea before heading back in.

What are some benefits of regular sauna use?
+ Enhances mood and combats SAD (seasonal affective disorder)
+ Detoxification — drainage and elimination of toxins/waste products
+ Promotes a healthy immune system
+ Assists in fat loss and increases metabolism
+ Promotes heart health
+ Provides chronic joint and muscle pain relief and speeds injury recovery
+ Promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and improves sleep

References:

Barbezat, Suzanne. “Temazcal: Traditional Mexican Sweat Lodge". Retrieved from https://www.tripsavvy.com/temazcal-traditional-mexican-sweat-lodge-1588898

“Finish sauna culture”. Retrieved from https://taigatimes.com/blog/finnish-sauna-culture/.

“Löyly Sauna”. Retrieved from https://www.kinfolk.com/loyly-sauna/.

“Top Countries Using Saunas and Exploring the Cultural Traditions From All Over the World.” Retireved from http://steam-sauna.com/blog/top-countries-using-saunas-and-exploring-the-cultural-traditions-from-all-over-the-world.html.

Protecting Your Energy

And just like that: the year is almost over… December 21st marks Winter Solstice this year. It’s when yang energy is at its lowest and when yin energy is at its highest. These are the longest, darkest, and coolest days of the season, meaning extra hours of darkness to repair, reflect, and rejuvenate.

Winter is ruled by the water element and the emotion of fear. Water is the most nourishing element, and it is essential for life. Typically this time of year, we tend to feel over-worked and are sleep deprived. Since the water element stores our energy reserves, a lack of rest will deplete this element and the kidneys, winter’s yin organ. This is why protecting our energy and resting is so crucial in the winter… for empaths and HSP’s (Highly Sensitive People), it can be especially difficult to speak up or set boundaries.

What are some ways I can protect my energy this winter and holiday season?

• Imagine a beautiful, white bubble around you… Envision it protecting you from any low vibrations (people’s negative thoughts, actions, or beliefs). Do as needed.

• A technique to start (or end) your day with… When you’re in the shower, visualize the water as white crystalline energy cleansing your body, as well as your energetic body. Visualize the soap cleansing you of any energy that isn’t for your highest good. Then, visualize the soap (the negative energy) washing down the drain.

• Ground yourself… Visualize big tree roots at the bottom of your feet going all the way to the core of the earth, which is the center of the earth.  Being in nature will help ground you s well (being by the water, playing in the garden, sitting under a tree). Energy is all intent… Try just simply saying “Please ground me now. Thank you.”

• Set an intention for your day when you wake up in the morning…When you start off with positive intentions you are bringing in positive energy to start your day in a more meaningful way.

How can I stay present when experiencing irrational fears?

• Stop and breathe... Step back from the situation to allow your emotions to get out of your way. Ask yourself, “what is really happening?” When we get our emotions out of the way, we gain more clarity of the situation that we are fearing. Look at it from an observer’s point of view, then ask yourself if the fear you’re experiencing will matter in a year from now? What about six months from now? Or even a month from now?

  If the worst happens (which isn’t often), we must trust that we will somehow handle it. It’s the fear of not knowing how to handle things which amplifies this intense feeling. Look back at something you once feared… You most likely were able to handle it better than you ever thought you could.

I’m an empath or an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person). How can I handle the heaviness of the world?

• Try a “shielding” visualization… Shielding is a quick way to protect yourself. Many empaths and sensitive people rely on it to block out toxic energy while allowing the free flow of positive energy. Begin by taking a few deep, long breaths. Then, visualize a beautiful shield of white or pink light completely surrounding your body and extending a few inches beyond it.

• Define and express your relationship needs… Knowing your needs and being able to assert them is a strong form of self-protection for empaths. Finding your voice is equivalent to finding your power – otherwise you may become exhausted, anxious, or feel like a doormat in relationships where your basic needs are unmet. Your partner isn’t a mind reader – speak up to safeguard your well-being.

• Prevent empathy overload… When you’re absorbing the stress or symptoms of others, it’s important to find an outlet to release the negative energy. Try inhaling lavender essential oil or put a few drops midway between your eyebrows (on your third eye) to calm yourself. When you can, spend time in nature. Balance your alone time with social time. Time management is key for empaths… Try not to plan too many things in one day. aIt’s ok to cancel plans when you get overloaded. This is a skill all empaths must learn so that you don’t feel obliged to go out if you are tired and need to rest.

• The “Jaguar Protection Meditation”… When you need extra protection, we recommend using this meditation to call on the power of the jaguar to protect you. The jaguar is a fierce and patient guard who can keep toxic energy and people away. This type of meditation is useful when there is too much negativity coming at you too quickly. Picture what the jaguar looks like: their fierce, loving eyes; their sleek body; the graceful, yet purposeful way the jaguar moves. Envision yourself feeling secure in the circle of the jaguar’s protection.