Discover the benefits of saunas and cold plunges in the health and wellness world, an ancient practice with cross-cultural significance. Learn how to integrate these practices into your daily life.
Sweat Lodges - “The Sweat”
In Native American culture, sweat lodges or purification ceremonies, also known as "the sweat", held a spiritual significance. These ceremonies were strictly overseen by an elder who possessed knowledge of the language, songs, traditions, and safety protocols necessary to guide participants in prayer and healing.
The ceremonies took place inside structures made of natural materials such as trees and animal hides. At the center of the lodge, a fire pit was used to heat rocks, creating a thermal effect within the dome. For many Native tribes, this dome symbolized the womb of Mother Earth and served as a space for prayer, purification, and spiritual contemplation. Sweat lodges were not merely a place to work up a sweat; they were profound spiritual experiences that demanded the utmost respect.
Hot Springs - “Onsen”
Hot springs form when water is heated by magma beneath the Earth's surface. Essentially, a hot tub powered by geothermal energy from the Earth rather than electricity! This natural phenomenon has been enjoyed by humans for millennia.
The presence and utilization of hot springs, known as “Onsen” in Japan, can be traced back to the 6th century. They were considered a cleansing ritual in the ancient Shinto religion and a place of relaxation for the emperors.
Over time, the tradition of bathing in onsen spread throughout Japan, becoming accessible to people from all walks of life. Today, Japan boasts nearly 30,000 onsen hot springs, drawing in numerous tourists.
It is believed that onsen water's healing properties stem from its mineral composition. Depending on the specific onsen you visit and its mineral content, you may experience various health benefits. Many Japanese people attribute their longevity to onsen bathing (along with their diet), highlighting its importance in their culture.
Steam Saunas
While Greek philosophers discussed the importance of their therapeutic baths, it was the Romans who popularized and spread the concept of steam baths across Europe, although they borrowed the idea from the Greeks. Roman steam baths, known for their grandeur, featured various amenities such as swimming pools and relaxation areas. These bathhouses served as social hubs where individuals from different social classes could gather to socialize and unwind. Access to these facilities was either free or very affordable, ensuring that they were accessible to all. The Romans understood the health benefits of steam, particularly when infused with salts, herbs, and oils, a practice that is echoed in modern treatments like halotherapy and essential oil diffusion. Rome's extensive use of steam in its architectural designs aimed to maximize the therapeutic effects for the well-being of its people.
The Finnish Sauna
There are about 2 million saunas in Finland - a lot for a country of only 5.5 million. So you could say sauna culture in Finland is quite strong. The Finnish Sauna is likely what you think of when the sauna comes to mind, being a small wooden room, heated by either wood or steam that is created from thro throwing water on hot stones (löylyä).
In the early days of Finnish Sauna culture, the small rooms didn’t have a chimney, so when wood was burned to heat the room, the soot and smoke would stay inside. As you can imagine, this could be quite dirty. Over time, chimneys were installed to allow the smoke to escape while the wood would burn.
In Finnish culture, you would typically bring in birch twigs or branches – called vihta or vasta, and whip yourself with them. It sounds strange, but this practice is believed to be good for your skin. Fins will also mix tar, pine, or birch oil with the water that is used to pour on the rocks to elevate the experience.
Finnish culture believes, that sweating in a sauna cleans your skin and your body of toxins, helps your muscle pains, increases the quality of your sleep, and relieves stress. These benefits are the ones that are most closely tied to our modern-day use of sauna, so they’ve definitely stood the test of time.
Interestingly, the Fins would also take an ice bath right after the sauna because they believed (rightly so in our opinion) that it would increase your energy, improve your mood, reduce blood pressure, and decrease stress in the body.
The Rise of Infrared Saunas
The concept of the infrared sauna is a recent addition to the traditional sauna practice. Unlike traditional methods that heat the air or water surrounding an individual, an infrared sauna directly warms the body using light, rather than heating the surrounding air.
Essentially, an infrared sauna can produce comparable outcomes to other sauna types but at a lower temperature, as it heats the body internally.
Time to Act:
Today, with the advantages of modern technology and the internet, we can easily share the knowledge and therapeutic techniques from different cultures for our own well-being. The use of saunas has gained popularity in North America, with almost every gym offering one, and the amenities varying depending on the gym's level of luxury.
Therefore, it is simple for you to start enjoying the benefits of sauna sessions, such as purifying your skin and body from toxins, alleviating muscle discomfort, improving your sleep quality, and reducing stress.
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