the-sauna-center.com

By: Emmanuel DeFreitas

By now, I would be extremely surprised to find any individual from a civilized part of the world that does not know what a sauna is. Although the word “sauna” is in actuality a Finnish word, it can be found in the English dictionary. The word conjures up scenes of hot, humid, muggy environments and the phrase “ It is as hot as a sauna in here” is often used to describe said conditions.

The thought of sitting in a room with a temperature reaching as high as 210 degrees Fahrenheit might give the average individual a feeling of overwhelming dread. Withstanding this onslaught of enveloping, relentless heat may seem too much for even the most physically fit individual to bear.

However, Finns have been going through this pressure cooker for centuries and loving every moment. For the average Finnish citizen, the sauna is a way of life that is so embedded into their culture that the thought of foregoing their sauna sessions for more than one week could be construed as cruel and unusual punishment. In Finland, a sauna is a necessity of life, as important as food, water and air.

In Finland the sauna is a ritual where family and friends gather and reap the healthy benefits in a relaxing and enjoyable surrounding. It is a social gathering place where they can bathe and kick back to relax and interact.

Almost every home in Finland has a Finnish sauna. Current estimates figure that there are almost two million saunas in Finland, a country that has approximately five million inhabitants. Even apartment buildings have either common saunas for use, or include saunas with each apartment. The Finns not only use Finnish saunas in their homes, but also use them for social and business purposes as well. Many business and pleasure meetings actually occur in a sauna, as they are popular gathering places. There are many successful businesses in Finland that actually own company saunas for business meetings or even meetings with employees.

The Finnish Sauna is not only viewed as a place of bathing and social activity. The sauna is considered to be a spiritual place where one can find solace and meditate. Sauna bathing is very important to the Finnish people and if foreigners are invited to one of their sauna baths, it is considered a sign of respect and honor for that person.

In North America, the sauna is unfortunately considered a luxury item, not a necessity. I believe that we could use a little extra human interaction in a healthy environment, to build bonds with people that are dear to us. The health benefits derived from the stimulating, toxin-reducing warmth would ensure a longer life span to enjoy the moments over a greater time period. It is the perfect circle of benefits. Hooray for Finland, or better yet, hooray for the Finnish people…You certainly have a good thing going.

The Sauna Center gives info on health benefits, different styles and types of sauna, safe use of saunas, how to build a sauna,medical analysis,aesthetics, and the sheer beauty of it all.
http://the-sauna-center.com

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