The Portable Home Sauna

Sweat baths have been used for hygiene reasons since the Stone Age. Many cultures around the world have their own versions of the sweat bath, but the most famous and widely known of them all is the Finnish Sauna.

The first wooden Saunas were built around the 5th century, when northern European tribes ceased their nomadic lifestyle. By the Middle Ages, the sweat bath had become so common in Scandinavia that foreign visitors wrote that "these people are the only peasantry in Europe who take a bath every week". To the Finns, Sauna is for every occasion. Its social nature and relaxing effects make Sauna an excellent place for negotiations and exchange of ideas.

Sauna is a national icon for Finland. Sauna is more than just a hygiene habit, it is a passion. With about 2 million saunas in the land, Finland is the only country in the world where there are more Saunas than cars. The Finnish word "Sauna" is the only one to breech the world vocabulary.

Sauna was originally connected with spiritual and religious ceremonies, healing and superstition. Sauna is, above all, a place to relax. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to enjoy the Sauna.

Enter the Sauna only when the room has reached the proper bathing temperature, between 80°C and 100°C. Always take your Sauna in the nude and lying on a towel.

For a wet Sauna, pour some water on the hot stones of the Sauna stove to produce air moisture. The steam makes the room feel hotter and will aid in perspiration. Finns use leafy birch whisks to gently tap against their bodies and further stimulate the skin. The birch creates a natural and pleasant aroma in the Sauna.

Exit the Sauna only when you feel ready, normally after 10-20 minutes of sweat bathing. Cool down by swimming in a lake or by taking a shower. (In winter, many Finns make a hole in the frozen lake and dive into the icy water or simply roll over the snow if there is not any lake nearby.)

Health Benefits of the Sauna

• Cleans your skin: a good sweat followed by a shower cleans the skin better than just taking a shower. Your skin will become soft, tender and healthy. The effects will be noticed almost immediately.
• Relaxes your body: the heat and humidity of the Sauna relaxes tired muscles. An extended Sauna session will leave tense muscles completely relaxed. Sauna also gives temporary relief for arthritic pain.
• Relaxes your mind: Sauna is first and foremost a place to relax. It is widely agreed that Sauna helps to relieve mental fatigue and stress.
• Blood circulation: Sauna improves blood circulation and breathing.
• Loose weight: Sauna burns about 300 calories per average session. Regular Sauna-going combined with a proper diet and exercise will help you to stay healthy and to loose weight.

A home sauna can be a great way to relax, rejuvenate and improve your overall well-being in a convenient and affordable way. Baltic Leisure offers do-it-yourself, pre-cutsauna kits that can be built and ready to use in a day, right in your own home! These sauna kits are made of clear western red cedar for interiors and use an electric heater and controls imported from Scandinavia. They offer a low-cost, practical way to get the health benefits of both dry and steam heat.