What Is an Aufguss Ritual? Experience It at Ikaalinen Spa, Finland

– Paid collaboration with Ikaalinen Spa & Resort –

In this article What Is an Aufguss Sauna Ritual? Experience It at Ikaalinen Spa, Finland, we explore a unique sauna experience at Ikaalinen Spa & Resort in Finland.

What is Aufguss?
What happens during a sauna ritual?
Where can you experience this in Finland?

You’ll find all the answers below.

What Is an Aufguss Sauna Ritual?

Aufguss is a guided sauna ritual that goes far beyond a traditional sauna session.

During the ritual, water is poured onto the hot sauna stones to create steam (löyly, as Finns call it). What makes Aufguss special is the addition of essential oils, natural scents, and carefully choreographed movements using towels or fans to circulate the heat and aromas around the room.

Often, there is also music, which adds an immersive element to the experience.

An Aufguss session stimulates multiple senses:

Sight (the performance)
Sound (music)
Smell (essential oils)
Sometimes even touch (through heat waves or treatments like scrubs or honey masks)

Where Does Aufguss Come From?

Although Finland is famous for its sauna culture, Aufguss actually originates from Germany.

It was originally developed for practical reasons: large sauna rooms and relatively small heaters meant that heat didn’t circulate evenly. Sauna masters began using towels to “push” the hot air down to bathers.

Today in Germany, only trained sauna masters are allowed to perform Aufguss rituals. These sessions are typically scheduled once per hour, and guests are expected to follow specific rules—like not throwing water on the stones themselves.

Read more: What does a German sauna master do

My Personal Experience with Aufguss

I’ve experienced many Aufguss rituals in Germany over the years—some amazing, some… not so much.

There are themed sessions inspired by artists like Michael Jackson or AC/DC, and even Oktoberfest-style performances. While these can be entertaining, I personally feel that overly theatrical shows don’t always fit the calm, mindful atmosphere of a sauna.

That said, the best Aufguss sessions I’ve attended have been absolutely unforgettable—leaving you with a true wow feeling.

My very first experience was over 14 years ago. I remember sitting on the lower bench, trying not to burst out laughing, wondering what on earth the sauna master was doing with a towel. It felt surreal—like, “Is this really happening?”

UTU Sauna World at Ikaalinen Spa & Resort

In summer 2025, a new sauna area called UTU Sauna World opened at Ikaalinen Spa & Resort.

I was invited to visit and finally made it there in March 2026 with a friend—who had never experienced Aufguss before. So this was a perfect mix of perspectives: a first-timer and someone more experienced.

What Happens During the Ritual?

The sauna doors opened about five minutes before the session to allow the sauna masters to prepare. This also ensures safety and comfort for all guests.

Our sauna master, Jura, welcomed everyone and explained the guidelines:

Silence during the ritual
Focus on the experience
You are free to leave the sauna at any time if the heat feels too intense
You can also move to a lower bench for a more comfortable temperature

He also mentioned that the ritual would last approximately 11–14 minutes.

Almost everyone present was experiencing Aufguss for the first time.

The ritual included:

Buckets of water
Essential oil-infused ice balls
Towels, fans, and even flags

As the music started, Jura performed a perfectly timed sequence of pouring water, releasing scents, and creating waves of heat. It was mesmerizing.

And something truly special happened:
Even though Finns usually chat in the sauna, everyone sat in complete silence—watching, listening, and simply enjoying the moment.

A New Way to Experience Sauna

One thing I deeply appreciate about German sauna culture is the idea of mindful silence.

Taking a moment to just sit, breathe, and listen to your body is something we could embrace more in Finland too.

Even those who initially seemed skeptical—like a group of middle-aged men quietly joking before the session—became completely silent during the ritual.

Later, I spoke with other guests, and everyone was excited about the experience. Many had already attended multiple sessions—and planned to come again.

My friend, a complete beginner, described it as “mind-opening” and incredibly relaxing. It made us both wonder: would a regular sauna have created the same level of relaxation?

Meet the Sauna Masters

I also had the chance to speak with the sauna masters, Jura and Enni.

Both have deep knowledge of natural ingredients and plant-based elements, which they incorporate into their rituals.

One highlight was a whisking ceremony (similar to the traditional Finnish vihta ritual), performed using eucalyptus instead of birch—thoughtfully adapted due to a guest’s allergy.

Their passion and authenticity truly stood out. Even with less than a year of experience, their rituals felt professional and heartfelt.

Aufguss in Finland – A Growing Trend

Aufguss is clearly making its way into Finnish sauna culture—and it’s here to stay.

The key is not to copy Central European styles directly, but to adapt them into something uniquely Finnish.

In today’s fast-paced world, people are craving moments of calm, presence, and connection. Guided sauna rituals offer exactly that.

At UTU Sauna World, the sessions are included in the entrance fee—no extra cost.

Each ritual lasts about 11–14 minutes, which is the perfect amount of time to disconnect from everything else and just focus on yourself.

Final Thoughts

The Aufguss sauna ritual offers a completely new way to experience sauna—combining tradition, performance, and mindfulness.

If you’re visiting Finland and want to try something truly special, this is absolutely worth experiencing.

Have you ever tried an Aufguss sauna ritual? Would you like to? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

I was invited to experience the resort, including accommodation and access to the sauna world, in exchange for this What Is an Aufguss Sauna Ritual? Experience It at Ikaalinen Spa, Finland -article.

With love,

Sauna-Kati