The power of social sauna and steam

The power of social sauna and steam

Risto Elomaa, president, International Sauna Association (ISA)

President of the ISA since 2010, Risto Elomaa first experienced a sauna when he was just one month old, with his grandmother. He has been a dedicated promoter of sweat culture throughout his life.

“For spa guests to experience the many benefits of sauna, it’s first important to ensure the sauna is designed and constructed well,” says Elomaa. “This means the löyly (steam) will be good; without a good löyly there is no sauna experience. Infrared cabins cannot offer a similarly fulfilling sweat bathing experience.

“For sauna to work its magic there must be a stove with stones, heated to between 80˚C and 105˚C, with humidity controlled by pouring water onto the hot stones.”

Elomaa believes that once guests are relaxing in an authentic sauna, the community benefits begin. “Saunas democratise wellness; they are a place of equality – affordable, communal and social,” he says. “Much of modern wellness culture is focused on the individual, but in saunas people gather to collectively experience the wellness benefits of extreme heat, followed often by extreme cold.”

Because saunas are relaxed environments where it’s easy to unwind, people are more likely to engage and just start talking about their common experience. “Saunas are a place to meet, to support one another – this undoubtedly contributes to mental wellbeing and stress relief,” says Elomaa. “In the sauna, everybody there is experiencing the heat, focusing on their breathing; it’s very bonding and has powerful psychological benefits. The communal sauna experience is one you do not forget easily, it’s really special.”