Overheard in the Sauna

When we engage with the flame, we align ourselves with the rhythm of nature, creating a harmonious resonance. This natural rhythm possesses remarkable intelligence, enabling us to forge genuine connections with ourselves and our community. The conversations that unfold within the sauna, as well as the moments in between, carry profound depth.

Recently, a visitor shared their observation that social interactions nowadays often revolve around consumption. It is truly refreshing to engage in a social activity without the need for material goods, simply Being. This sentiment reminded me of the Law of Polarity, where we can discover elements of health, stillness, bliss, lessons, and love in both extremes. Sauna bathing, by releasing the toxins accumulated from consumed products, triggers the release of similar frequencies and chemicals in our bodies, such as serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and more.

The story behind the logo

Lemniscate is a mathematical term for the infinity sign. It is the constant feedback loop between our human consciousness + the Unified Field. For Kayla it pays homage to a childhood story which propelled her into this field. 

Since Kayla was a child she would see ‘sparkles’ similar to the stars you see right before you pass out. She’d see them all the time. The sparkles were the most prevalent at the ocean, forests, churches, yoga studios, ski mountains, libraries, and any room without textured walls.

When she went to the doctors they assured her that nothing was wrong, that it was probably just signs of low blood sugar or dehydration. This, although it sounds reassuring, just caused her to worry. Feeling that she was always on the verge of passing out from dehydration and low blood sugar, she began avoiding things she normally wouldn't. She wouldn’t go on boats, she’d excuse herself in church to the bathroom and splash water on her face, would go to the nurse to have her parents pick her up from school, always made sure she ate before the doctors and church, and constantly had a water bottle on hand. But, none of these got rid of the sparkles. In college and post-college years she partied and consumed food to help limit the vibrancy of them but they simply never went away.

It wasn’t until 2017 that she finally felt it was time to build a healthier relationship with the sparkles. She’d sit by the ocean (one of the places they were most prevalent) and watch the sparkles move into different sacred geometric shapes. The most common shape was 4 Lemniscates all meeting in the center, a double helix, and a torus.

She now uses the visual snow as a way to gain knowledge about the quantum field and incorporates them into her therapy practice.

What are Sauna Whisks?

Here are a few benefits of using sauna whisks:

• Increased circulation: Whipping the skin with the branches of the sauna whisk increases blood flow to the surface of the skin. This can help to improve overall circulation, which can be beneficial for people with conditions such as arthritis or poor circulation.

• Improved skin: The birch branches used in sauna whisks are known to have natural antiseptic properties, and when used on the skin, they can help to remove dead skin cells and impurities. This can improve the overall appearance and health of the skin.

• Relaxation: Using a sauna whisk can be a relaxing and meditative experience. The gentle motion of whipping the branches can create a soothing and calming effect on the body and mind.

• Massage-like effect: The whipping motion of the sauna whisk can provide a massage-like effect on the muscles and joints, which can help to relieve tension and reduce pain.

• Aromatherapy: Many sauna whisks are made from fresh birch branches with leaves. When used in the sauna, the birch leaves release a pleasant aroma that can help to create a relaxing and soothing atmosphere.

It's worth noting that some people may not find sauna whisking comfortable and there is no scientific evidence that sauna whisking is more beneficial than other sauna practices.

As with any kind of sauna ritual, it's important to listen to your body and not overdo it. It's also important to make sure that the sauna whisk is clean and free of debris before using it, and to be aware of the temperature of the sauna and the humidity level, to avoid any discomfort or injury.

Sauna Rituals

Sauna rituals have been an important part of a variety of cultures for centuries. In ancient times, saunas were used for both physical and spiritual purification. The Finns, for example, believed that the sauna was a place where the spirits of their ancestors lived, and that the heat and steam of the sauna could help to cleanse the body and mind. In many cultures, saunas were also used as a place to socialize and relax, and it was not uncommon for people to spend hours in the sauna, relaxing and chatting with friends and family.

Altær Sauna is a space to socialize, relax, and connect with your natural essence. There is tea, dried eucalyptus whisks, essential oils, and rhythmic sounds to create a fragrant and soothing atmosphere. We provide a cold plunge to indulge in thermal dynamic therapy.

We encourage everyone to create their own Sauna bathing ritual. Here are a few examples of sauna rituals that I found on the web:

• In Finland, sauna is an important part of the culture and is often seen as a form of therapy. Many Finns take a sauna at least once a week, and some even take a sauna every day. A traditional Finnish sauna ritual begins with a shower or a dip in a lake or pool to cleanse the body. After entering the sauna, they may pour water over the hot stones to create steam and use birch branches to gently whip themselves, which is believed to improve circulation and provide a massage-like effect. After a period of time in the sauna, participants will cool off by taking a dip in a lake or pool, or by pouring cold water over themselves.

• In Russia, the traditional sauna ritual is called "banja" and it's also a weekly or daily routine. The ritual typically begins with a steam in the sauna, then cold water or snow is used to cool down, followed by a rest period. The bathers will then return to the sauna for another round of steam, after which they will take a cold shower or plunge into a cold pool.

• In the Middle East, hammam ritual is a form of socializing as well. Hammam ritual starts with a relaxing period in a warm room, followed by a steam bath, and then a cleansing ritual that includes a full-body scrub and massage. After the hammam, participants will rest and may enjoy a cup of tea or other refreshments.

• In Turkey, the hammam ritual is similar to the Middle Eastern one, with an additional step of soaping and lathering. After the steam, bathers will sit on a marble slab and be covered with a foamy lather made from olive oil soap. After the lathering, bathers will be scrubbed with a kese (a special rough mitt) and then rinsed off.

• In Japan, traditional sauna rituals, called "Sento" or "Onsen" are often combined with hot springs. The ritual starts with a shower, followed by soaking in the hot spring, then a rest period, and a final soak in the hot spring.