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In the article “What is sauna therapy?” I tell you everything you ever wanted to know about sauna therapy. How do you become a sauna therapist? Where does the training take place? What do you learn and how long does it take to graduate? I share my own experiences and my personal path to becoming a sauna therapist.

Welcome to the world of sauna therapy!

Sauna therapists and sauna masters are among the oldest professions. Already in the 17th century, in France, sauna masters and their skills were highly respected. Each master had their own specific approach and fields of expertise.

Some made their own soaps and sauna hats which were included in the price of admission. Not everyone could become a sauna master: there were times when even knowledge of Latin was necessary to learn the profession. And of course, impeccable behaviour was also a requirement.

In the Middle Ages, European bathhouses had sauna attendants, scrubbers, cupping practitioners, heaters, masseurs, bath masters and administrators.

What exactly is sauna therapy?

In short, sauna therapy is a form of therapy specializing in sauna care that upholds and values an old Finnish tradition. Pure and natural dried and/or fresh herbs are used in therapy.

This type of therapy is performed in the sauna, shower or sauna area, or outside.

Body and mind are the two most important aspects. This is what we concentrated on in the training to become sauna therapists. Nutrition is of great importance for personal well-being and is also an essential part of the training.

The training is divided into different teaching forms and parts. The entire training takes 1.5 years. There are eight contact teaching phases spaced two to three months apart. Between these courses, there are self-study and practical exercises, which are to be reported on regularly.

The degree is obtained with a thesis and a practical test.

Mervi Hongisto and Merja Pihlajamäki designed this training, and they are also lecturers. Both have many years of experience and corresponding expertise in different treatments, such as cupping.

Mervi Hongisto runs Forum Sauna in Turku and Merja Pihlajamäki runs Hyvän Olon Keskus Wellness Center in Parkano.

With the help of the training, you can work in this field or even become self-employed. Please remember that this training does not include traditional medical training. You should always refer your clients to a medical specialist if necessary.

I personally believe that it’s great that there is official, formal training for this profession. Many Finns are born with the basic knowledge of the sauna. With training like this, we can preserve and pass on the deep knowledge and wisdom of the Finnish sauna tradition.

Sauna therapy training includes:

Washing, massages, different types of sauna whisks and their therapeutic use.
Peat, salt, ash, and earth saunas as well as cleansing saunas.
Wraps, baths, upper/lower body treatments and full-body treatments.
Cupping and the special features of blood cupping as well as the cupping massage.
Water and heat treatments as well as special water care treatment.
Herb pharmacy.
Various wellness treatments.
Bride and groom saunas.
Chocolate, Chaga mushroom, nettle, sea buckthorn and herbal care treatments.
Bamboo massage with sauna bamboo sticks.
Power washes with herbs from SaunaMamma.
Nutrition.
Additional hygiene training.

Source: Sauna therapy training materials

My own experiences

I started training as a sauna therapist at short notice in the spring of 2020. What inspired me to start was that the training could be completed remotely at the time. When I first heard about sauna therapy, I found it fascinating.

The more I dealt with the topic, the more interested I became in the training. But the long distance between Germany to Finland and the trips I would have to take to participate in the individual modules, not to mention the special challenges of the Corona period, made me reconsider my plan at first.

So, in this case, I definitely benefited from the changes the pandemic brought with it. I was able to take part in the training and as soon as the opportunity for distance learning was created, I took it. Between and during the courses I was able to practise the treatments in my own sauna.

Herbs, plants, trees, and other healing resources have always interested me. I finally had the opportunity to delve deeper into the topic and learn new things. The best thing about the training is the focus on the sauna. You can say that I’m in the process of learning my dream profession.

My dream is to organize Finnish sauna evenings in Germany. Luckily, I have been able to do this already a few times! I am not allowed to use the addition “therapy” or “care” in Germany because I am not a medical professional.

The two terms are protected by law here in Germany. Therefore, I offer traditional Finnish sauna treatments instead. I am convinced that there is a demand for traditional Finnish sauna wisdom here. Germans are interested in saunas and especially in Finnish sauna traditions.

So, if you should be in the south of Germany and are interested in sauna treatments, please get in touch. I don’t currently have my own sauna where I do treatments, but I collaborate with different saunas. My sauna treatments and evenings can also be combined with an overnight stay. So, you are more than welcome to send me a message if you are interested in a trip to the Allgäu!

Of course, the pandemic situation is a big challenge for sauna masters. I will surely expand my treatments as soon as the situation gets better! I cannot wait to get back to my work as “an ambassador” for the Finnish sauna!

Tee se itse Hunajasauna — *Honey Sauna* *treatment*

Sauna treatments

Do you like honey? Then the honey sauna is the right choice for you. Did you know that honey has many amazing and effective ingredients? It does not only taste good but is good for you inside and out.

Did you know that in the past, people used birch to clean themselves? Birch contains bitter substances that cleanse the skin. With a birch whisk, you can help to soothe your aching muscles and enjoy deep, whole-body relaxation. This ancient knowledge has been handed down from generation to generation, we should make use of it!

Rose has a calming effect; it can help prevent depression and reduce stress. A rose sauna is therefore the best means of physical and mental relaxation. The rose smells enchanting both in the sauna and in the shower area. A peeling salt with wild rose jojoba oil nourishes the skin and leaves it wonderfully soft and delicately scented. After the relaxing rose sauna, you can simply sink into the bed.

Maybe you are interested in a cleansing sauna where plants, trees and bushes can unfold their effect? Take certain plants, herbs, and trees with you into the sauna and you will notice how the sauna tells you what you need!

Sauna therapist / sauna master

The sauna therapists adopt the knowledge of different treatments and traditions and make them part of their own repertoire.

The training can also be completed to strengthen one’s own connection to the sauna.

As I mentioned, diet also plays an important role. Plant-based and low-carbohydrate foods are particularly good for you post-sauna. After the sauna, your metabolism gets an extra boost- that is one of the qualities of the sauna. Eating heavy foods can prevent this and should therefore be avoided.

The training is holistic, so it includes much more than just saunas!

After training, one can perform basic treatments such as wraps, poultices, peat, water, and heat treatments. In the past, water treatments were used to sink fever, for example.

The training also conveys the deeper meaning of a sauna whisk. Birch is not the only alternative; different tree species have different healing effects.

You also learn how to apply hygiene measures correctly during the course of the training. Hygiene is of particular importance when cupping.

Once you have completed your training, you can become a self-employed sauna therapist!

I hope the article “What is sauna therapy?” was of some help to you. If you are interested in the training, feel free to ask me any questions. Of course, I am also happy to tell you more about my sauna treatments!

Read more: Sauna therapist training

Love,

Sauna-Kati

In the article “Tips for taking a sauna in winter”, I will share my favourite winter sauna ideas. Your kids will love these tips!

If you live in a country where it gets cold in winter, you should embrace the snow and make it a part of your sauna routine. In this article, I will share some really fun tips for a winter sauna. Can you guess what they are? Do you use them? Or do you have other tips you would like to share? Let me know in the comments.

Snowball sauna

No, I do not mean you have to build a sauna made of snowballs! My idea is to bring the snowballs into the sauna. Prepare the snowballs and add one drop of sauna scent or essential oil to each snowball. Place the snowballs one at a time on the sauna stones.

The snowball slowly melts away and spreads a wonderful scent into the sauna.

If you feel the snowball doesn’t want to melt away (fast enough), you can pour some extra water on it.

Warning: Sometimes a snowball melts a bit too quickly and a huge amount of steam gets released at once. If that happens, you might want to cover your ears as it gets pretty hot. This has unfortunately happened to me before and I almost burnt my ears!

You can also dip the snowball in water and then put it on the sauna stove. I think the snowball sauna is a wonderful idea and one we have done for many winters. My son loves it; it’s hard to get him out of the sauna!

Always remember to supervise and help your child. The snowball doesn’t start producing hot steam right away, so it’s safe to try with children.

You can also use the snowballs for other purposes. Personally, I like to rub the snow on my hot skin. It cools me down and lets me enjoy the sauna a little longer.

Watch this video: Snowball sauna

There is no danger to you or the sauna heater from putting cold snow or ice on the stove. Sure, the stove will have to use a little more energy to melt the ice/snow, but stove stones will not crack or get damaged in any way.

Snow sauna

There are saunas made of snow in Finland, but I’m not talking about them here. Although, if you have a lot of snow, why not build a snow sauna?

What I mean here is bringing the snow into the sauna. You can make snowballs out of the snow or throw the snow on the stove as it is. It also feels lovely to rub your face, hands, and feet in fresh snow whilst sitting in a hot sauna. You can even put your feet in the snow for a “foot bath” and enjoy snow’s cooling effects.

Children like to stay in a sauna longer when they can play with the snow. We often have cups and mugs with us in the sauna so the kids can “cook” us all kinds of things using snow. With kids and snow, only the sky’s the limit!

Snow Angel

I think every Finn should make a “snow angel” at least once in their life. (Making a snow angel means lying in the snow and waving your legs and arms so that an “angel” is created on the surface of the snow). Doing it naked is as liberating as going ice swimming. If you visit Finland, you have to give this a try.

Just check that there is enough snow, so you don’t hurt yourself.

Snow alone can cause minor “injuries” to the skin, especially if it is not quite fresh. A snow angel is best made in fresh, powdery snow.

Running around the house naked

OK, I know this might sound strange to my non-Finnish readers. Running around the house naked in the winter falls into the category “you have to do this once in your life”. And most Finns have done it at least once. It might feel a bit extreme if nudity is taboo in your country. In that case, you should try it when you are in Finland!

But, if your neighbours love people watching, this is your chance to give them something to talk about. 😉

Running around the house is done without shoes and clothes. However, be careful not to slip and fall into the icy snow. That can really hurt and leave nasty marks on the skin.

I have some fun memories of these “runs”. It is much more fun to run in a group than alone. My brother, for example, used to do this with his friends. First, they warmed up in the sauna and then cooled down by running and screaming outside.

I think shouting and screaming is an important part of the experience; it is oddly liberating!

Winter swimming

This is something you should do in Finland. It might be more challenging to find safe winter swimming places in other countries. However, if you cannot find an ice swimming location near you, you can try the cold baths in your local spa.

At least in German sauna worlds, there is always one small pool that is really cold, around +7 degrees.

There are some things you should keep in mind when going winter swimming. If you have cardiovascular disease, you should be especially careful. The cold-hot combination can be hard on a heart that is not completely healthy. Never jump into the freezing cold water directly from the hot sauna.

Many winter swimmers wear hats, special gloves on their hands and special slippers on their feet.

You do not necessarily need them, but they can help make the experience more enjoyable. I went winter swimming once when it was -16 Celsius and I would have loved to have some slippers with me. My feet got cold before I even went into the water. I have only been winter swimming this one time, but I do like the cold pools in our spa. I love the feeling that I get. I feel a lot less sweaty afterwards and my hair feels soft and amazing too!

Ice water

If winter swimming is not possible or your thing, this next tip might be a good substitute. Bring a bucket of icy cold water (you can add actual ice cubes to make sure the water stays very cold) with you to the sauna. At the end of the sauna, take a wash glove and wash your skin with ice-cold water. It is refreshing but not as shocking to your body as ice swimming. Repeat several times and your skin will feel soft and smooth.

Ice cube sauna

If there is no snow in your country, you can use ice. You can for example try my first tip and replace the snowballs with ice. Put big ice cubes on the stove and enjoy the steam. The steam will be much slower and gentler than normally because ice melts slowly. You can also rub a piece of ice against your hot skin.

Last winter, I tried this, and it was a great success. I used old yoghurt jars for ice-making so the cubes were big enough to place on the sauna stones. When the biggest piece of ice melted there was so much steam that I had to leave the sauna for a moment. So you do not have to go crazy with the ice cube size.