Dry Heat Sauna In Scandinavia

A sauna is a fantastic way to keep healthy. Dry sauna benefits both the mind and body. Dry saunas are used around the world to rejuvenate both the mind and body. As with most heat treatments, dry saunas relax your muscles. Once heated and relaxed, it is believed that your muscles release any toxins your body may have stored.

Once released, these toxins are sweated out of the body. Additionally, a dry heat sauna is believed to increase circulation and support a healthy immune system.

A dry heat sauna is, universally, an enclosed room that has dry heat pumped into it. In the United States, one tends to think of a wood lined room filled with benches, hot rocks, and water to ladle onto the rocks. However, there are many different kinds of saunas, depending on your location and what you wish to get from your experience. Two main styles of sauna are Finnish and Swedish saunas.Once released, these toxins are sweated out of the body. Additionally, a dry heat sauna is believed to increase circulation and support a healthy immune system.

A dry heat sauna is, universally, an enclosed room that has dry heat pumped into it. In the United States, one tends to think of a wood lined room filled with benches, hot rocks, and water to ladle onto the rocks. However, there are many different kinds of saunas, depending on your location and what you wish to get from your experience. Two main styles of sauna are Finnish and Swedish saunas.

Finnish dry heat sauna is considered the original sauna. In fact, the word sauna is of Finnish origin. However, it is rare to find a Finnish style sauna outside of Finland as Sweden has all but cornered the market. The Finns are quite proud of their sauna culture and it is quite common for most households to have a sauna. Families often sauna together and do not require a special holiday or event to do so. Finns rarely wear clothing into a dry heat sauna.

Finnish saunas typically are heated to temperatures well over 100 degrees. The heat comes from heated rocks in the center of the room. Finnish saunas typically have very low humidity levels. The Finns believe that the hotter a sauna gets, the less humidity should be present. The only humidity in a Finnish sauna is generated by pouring water onto hot stones. Often, a Finnish sauna will have bundles of birch twigs with fresh leaves, called vihta. These are used to gently slap the skin to stimulate the pores to secrete toxins.

In Sweden, the sauna is known as a bastu. Although the Finns invented the sauna, it is the Swedish that have made it a global practice. Today, most US imported saunas come from Sweden. Swedish saunas did not become popular in modern times until after 1940. Swedish saunas are not as commonly used as Finnish saunas. Most Swedish families do not own their own sauna. Public saunas are more prevalent. They are used more for celebrations and holidays than the everyday use in Finland. The Finnish often criticize the Swedish for making their saunas so formal.

Swedish saunas are heated to the same temperatures as Finnish saunas. However, the Swedish use various forms of heating, including rocks, electric heat and smoke. In stark contrast to the Finnish sauna, a Swedish sauna may be humid and even steamy. These humid saunas must be kept at a lower temperature to prevent scalding. Also, most Swedish saunas do not provide a vihta.