How to Enjoy the Sauna

Switch on the sauna heater. It will take about 10 minutes to reach the desired temperature.

Disrobe and prepare to enter the sauna. Since the heat makes you perspire profusely, you might check your weight before and after you go in.

Check the temperature. The sauna is thermostatically controlled. The humidity should be between 40 and 65 grams of water vapour to each kilogram of air. The humidity is raised be throwing water on the sauna heater rocks. You will be comfortable in temperatures of 80^oC or more. You will breathe freely and easily while the warmth invigorates your body by increasing blood circulation.

Perspiring

Relax and enjoy it. The first bath should last about 10 to 15 minutes. As you become more accustomed to the sauna, you might want to stay in longer. Throw a little water on the hot rocks, but gradually to begin with.

Time for a shower and swim. The sustained heat of the sauna raises your body temperature. The perspiration will clean your pores and skin in depth. Please ensure that you take a shower before entering the pool.

Back in the heat

One more time. Now that your body is attuned to the heat, re-enter the sauna room and relax completely. Perspiration will break out almost instantaneously. In this second exposure, you can stay inside the room for 10 to 20 minutes to receive the maximum benefits. Again, throw a little water on the rocks, but again, gradually to begin with.

Cooling off

After your final shower, which should be long and cool to bring down your body temperature, it is time to relax again. This is the favourite for many sauna bathers. You will experience a feeling of well being only enjoyed in the sauna.

Relaxing

Relax for about 15 minutes and feel your cares float away. You should dress warmly after the sauna.

Recommended Sauna Temperatures

60-65 ^oC This is a good temperature if you want to stay in the sauna a lot longer. At this temperature, the experienced sauna bather uses the ladle to throw water on the rocks quite frequently to provide a moist or wet type of sauna. The old wood-fired saunas of the Finnish countryside were often this sort of sauna, know as the Russian style of sauna bath these days.

70-75 ^oC A very comfortable sauna temperature that the majority of those newly introduced to saunas will appreciate, particularly women and children. This particular setting is the best and most suitable temperature for beginners. Steam, only when enjoyed, is often used during the stay, but only in small amounts.

80-85 ^oC The normal and most recommended temperature for the great majority of sauna bathers. At this temperature you can generate some steam towards the end of your stay if you desire it but go easy at first. Wait until you are about to leave before you ladle water onto the rocks at this temperature.

90-95 ^oC This is the temperature for the very experienced sauna bather who really enjoys dry heat. Be very careful with the water ladle at this level, and never the ordeal on others, for it can be dangerous if overdone.