Growing up in Finland, the sauna was as much a part of my life as breathing. Now, living in New Zealand, I often find myself struggling to explain this integral part of Finnish culture to my Kiwi friends. It's not just about the heat or the steam - it's a way of life that runs deep in our veins.
During a recent conversation with my sister, I shared my difficulties in conveying the essence of our sauna culture to people who haven't grown up in Finland. Understanding my predicament, she introduced me to a song by Olli Halonen called "Synnytty Saunomaan" (roughly translated as "Born to Sauna"). This song truly resonated with me, and I plan to translate more of it in future blogs. For now, two words stood out: 'parannettu sairaat', meaning 'healed the sick'. This belief in the sauna's healing powers has been a part of Finnish tradition for centuries, and the song captured it perfectly.
My grandmother used to tell us that the sauna could drive away bad spirits. As children, we thought she meant literal ghosts, but as we grew older, we realized she was talking about stress, worry, and negative energy. It's a belief that many Finns still hold dear, alongside the more scientifically proven health benefits.
Recent research has shown that using a sauna 3-5 times a week can have positive effects on heart health, circulation, brain function, and mental wellbeing. But for Finns, the benefits go beyond the physical.
One of our most unique traditions is the use of "vihta" or "vasta" - bundles of tree branches, usually birch, used to gently strike the skin during a sauna session. To outsiders, this might seem odd, but it's an essential part of the experience for many Finns.
I remember fondly how my siblings and I used to heat the vihta on the sauna heater's rocks and playfully whack each other. We'd laugh and squeal as we took turns with the vihta, the fresh scent of birch filling the air. As we've grown older, we've come to appreciate the gentler, more traditional use of the vihta, taking turns softly striking each other's backs and recognizing the benefits of this unique custom.
The advantages of this practice are numerous:
But perhaps most importantly, it's a connection to nature and to our cultural heritage.
In Finland, sauna is a year-round affair. In summer, we might cool off with a dip in a lake and use the vihta, while in winter, a roll in the snow provides an exhilarating contrast to the sauna's warmth. Saturday and Wednesday family sauna sessions were often the highlight of the week - a time for bonding with family and friends.
As I sit here in New Zealand, thousands of miles from Finland, I can't help but smile at the memories. The sauna isn't just a vehicle to get healthier - it's a place of healing, of community, and of tradition.
We encourage people who buy our saunas to create their own sauna rituals and to embrace the social aspect of the sauna. Experience the heart of Finnish culture, right in your own home.
