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.