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Finnish Steam Saunas
All About Finnish Steam Saunas
Finnish steam saunas have been in use for thousands of
years. The Finns are known the world over for owning the most home saunas
per capita, something like one sauna for every family. Authentic designs
such as the sauna cabins found on Finland’s numerous lakes use wood-fired
heaters. In the city, electric heaters are in vogue, but nothing compares to
the scent and crackling sounds of a stove heated by wood.
Home saunas in Finland are not just a place to
sweat. The Finns regard the steamy sanctuary of a sauna in the same way
others regard the sanctity of a church. It’s a sanctuary, a place to relax,
a place to get away and rejuvenate your physical, mental and spiritual self.
Since the Finnish home sauna is an important part of everyday life for over
5 million Finns, it follows that it must be good for anyone.
And indeed, home saunas are becoming increasingly popular all over the
world. In North America, more and more people are building their own sauna
or choose one of the custom designed
Finnish saunas that are available as a kit.
In-home steam saunas can be heated
with a traditional wood burning sauna room
heater or you can use a modern, energy-efficient electric heater with a
rock tray to produce the steam.
The expression “having a sauna” encompasses the whole ritual of the
traditional Finnish home sauna experience. There is a certain etiquette to
follow, customs to adhere to. The Finns have a ritual that starts with
cleaning yourself before you enter. The bathing process consists of repeated
sessions of perspiring, followed by a dip in the lake. The sauna patrons
splash water on top of the heated rocks to produce steam and whisk
themselves with birch branches to improve circulation.
The Finnish home sauna is not just a place for sweating; it’s much more than
that. It’s a ritual that relaxes body and mind. Don’t compare steam saunas
at the local gym or public pool with what you can build at home from a
kit – your own
sanctuary to escape to after a stressful day.
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