Any one that has used a sauna will tell you that it is a great way to rejuvenate and clean your body. The aches and pains just seem to melt away along with all the days stress. The sauna technology has been used by many cultures for thousands of years. Probably the most famous sauna traditions were developed in Finland and were brought to the US by its immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Finnish sauna tradition was adopted by many of the different cultures that settled in America.
These days it is really easy to purchase and install a sauna in your home. The new infrared sauna technology is incorporated into sauna kits that are manufactured for self installation. Sauna sales data indicate that many Americans are installing infrared saunas in their homes. You can install a 3 person Sauna in your home in just a few hours. The use of far infrared energy allows you to enjoy most of the benefits of a traditional sauna. The dry sauna heat that comes from ceramic or carbon fiber far infrared emitters produces its heat within the body. Far infrared saunas do not develop the high heat that is found in a traditional Finnish sauna. This feature can be a blessing or a curse depending on the user.
Many people cannot stand the high temperature that is generated by a Finnish sauna. An infrared sauna air temperature seldom reaches 130 degrees. Many people feel that this allows them to enjoy a good dry sauna without heat stress. However it you have become accustomed to using a Finnish sauna then you will want a high temperature sauna necessary to get all the cleansing and therapeutic value a sauna can provide.
If you are lucky enough to have the use of a wood fired Finnish sauna you have the opportunity to make your sauna as hot as you can possibly stand. A word of caution to those who have medical problems especially those with cardiovascular disease including heart disease a hot sauna can cause you problems. A very hot sauna is also not a place for a sauna neophyte who is not used to high Finnish sauna temperatures. Drinking beer or any form of alcohol is also not a smart thing to do in a very hot sauna. Granted the tradition of beer and sauna is an old one but caution should be used if the temperature exceeds 150 degrees.
Many people have plumbed a cold water line into their sauna for the purpose of wetting the rocks on the sauna stove. This practice will increase the apparent or felt heat levels in the sauna. Having a bucket of cold water to quickly cool down is a good idea. In many parts of the North Country a UP sauna is placed near a lake or river for the purpose of a quick cool down once you have reached the maximum temperature you can stand.
Another practice that is used in deep snow country along the shores Lake Superior is to take snow sauna. Once the temperature reaches the extreme point you simply open the door and jump into the snow. Just be sure that you have at least 24 inches of settled snow before you take that flop. More than one snow sauna enthusiast has broken a bone on the hard ground when jumping into snows that are shallow or unsettled.
A traditional high temperature Finnish sauna is something that is enjoyed by the seasoned sauna users. It also does a much better job of cleaning your body of all sorts of toxins. There really is no better way to relax and heal the body and mind.