Sauna is a place for relaxation. In sauna, you are connected to the surrounding nature. In a lakeside sauna,you can hear the black-throated loon calling on the lake and the chirping of small birds outside the sauna.
The make the most of your sauna experience, take into consideration the following etiquette.
Prepare for sauna in a non-hurried mind set and with peaceful thoughts. Leave your phone and other equipment outside, strip off your clothes and your mind of thoughts, take into consideration other sauna goers and that sauna is dedicated for calming down.
Inside, conversations should be carried with a low voice while respecting the spirit of sauna. According to Finnish folklore, the sauna elf gets upset if someone behaves in a disruptive manner in sauna.
Sauna cleanses both the body and mind. Hot, pure air does you good and takes away futile worries. A sauna whisk made of birch leaves provides pleasure, deep-cleanses and refreshes the skin. However, the other sauna goers should be taken into consideration while whisking making sure to avoid the burning sensation of hot air imposed on the person sitting next to you.
Start whisking your hands, then your arms towards the heart and upwards from your feet.
Whisk the abdomen and lower back, shoulders and sides.
Be careful not to “hit” too hard with the sauna whisk.
Always whisk starting from your limbs and work your way towards the heart!
In the Finnish sauna, you always throw water on the sauna stove. Start slowly and with a small amount of water.
Enjoy the peaceful feeling and remember that you may start feeling sleepy soon after going to sauna!