“Sauna the Finland way”.
Saunas date back to thousand years or more in Finland. Earlier it was used for bathing as it was the only source for bathing with clean waters and it was also used for delivering babies and curing the sick. Finnish sauna has been an integral part of the Finnish culture. Sauna is treated as a place where people can relax with their friends and families, a place where they can relax.
There are two million saunas in Finland and with about five million population there is on an average one sauna per household. Saunas are regarded more as a necessity rather than luxury in Finland. Nearly every home has a sauna in Finland. Saunas can also be found in public places like gyms, swimming pools in Finland.
Most of the Finns have a summer cottage near one of the thousands lake with a sauna. A sauna bath in Finland is not complete without a swim in the lake. Finns also use a vasta or vihta which is a bundle of twigs mainly from Silver Birch or Betula pendula to beat themselves gently with it so that they can peel their skin with it, clean it and relax their muscles.
History of Finnish Sauna
In the early days the sauna used to be wooden hut near the lake and it represented a clean place which was also used for child births, operations besides cleaning themselves. Today it may be used only for bathing but the tradition of using a sauna has not faded even today. The traditional saunas consisted of benches for sitting and stoves for heating the stones.
As regards cleaning to be done it was done at the lake. Modern saunas have shower and dressing rooms. The average saunas can accommodate 3-6 people at a time. Finnish sauna is used for relaxing the body and mind.
Way to bathe in a finnish sauna
Although there is no set standards for bathing in a sauna but a good company is necessary to enjoy it. Although people go nude in a sauna but if you are not comfortable with it you can wear a bathing suit or wrap around a towel. The temperature in a Finnish sauna is usually between 60 degrees to 110 degrees although the ideal temperature is 85 degrees
- First of all take a proper shower so as the sauna room remains clean.
- Go to the sauna and make use of a towel to sit on the upper bench.
- Sit for a few minutes so that your skin pores open because of the heat.
- The moisture in the air can be adjusted by putting water on the stores of the heater so that the room becomes hotter.
- After enjoying the sauna go to the changing room to cool down and then take a shower to remove the body of the sweat.
- Dry yourself and let the body temperature come down before you dress yourself. After the sauna take some rest and follow it with a drink.
Tips to have a good sauna
- You should have ample time preferably an hour so that you can relax and enjoy the sauna A bathrobe while cooling off.
- A large towel for the purpose of drying your body.
- A good moisturizing cream or lotion to be used after the sauna.
- A small towel for sitting on the bench.
