Finlandia Saunas
Discover the relaxing world of a Finlandia Sauna.

Sauna - A Healthy Ritual
Saunas are relatively new in the United States. Early Finnish and Swedish colonists made their own Saunas right from the start of this country but Sauna usage did not grow much beyond those immigrants until the late 1950's and '60's. Whether early Finns knew it or not they had discovered a very healthy ritual. Saunas were rediscovered in America for their relaxation and many health benefits.

The Benefits of a Sauna
The main benefit of Sauna is that it opens the pores and flushes out the body's toxins and impurities. It is the deepest cleaning bath in the world. The Sauna soothes and relaxes tired muscles, helps maintain clear, healthy skin, provides a cardiovascular workout, burns as many as 300 calories in a session, increases metabolic rate and improves circulation.

Why Choose a Finlandia Sauna?
Finlandia Sauna is one of the oldest Sauna companies in the U.S. and has been manufacturing the highest quality Saunas since 1964. Our president is a native of Finland and grew up in the Sauna culture. He strives to promote the authentic Finnish Sauna in America. Finlandia prides itself on its quality and does not cut corners when it comes to using the best material. We are the only manufacturer that still uses the original industry standard of true 1"x 4" (3/4" thick) wood paneling. Our company has everything for your Sauna needs. We make precut and prefabricated Sauna rooms. We manufacture custom precut Sauna packages to fit any size room. You provide the room dimensions and we cut it to size. Our modular prefab Saunas are built with an exclusive locking system for easy installation. These rooms can even be taken apart and moved to a new location. Our Sauna heaters are imported directly from Finland and provide the best, most dependable heat and humidity. Finlandia offers a wide variety of Sauna accessories and beautiful door designs as well. Use Finlandia's expertise and let the Sauna experts design and build your Sauna today.

The History of Sauna

SAUNA, correctly pronounced "sow (rhymes with wow!) nah," is the only Finnish word in the English dictionary; it means "bath" and "bathhouse." Sauna has been a way of life in Finland, where it was invented, for over 2000 years. One of the first written descriptions of the Finnish Sauna was in 1112. The earliest Sauna was dug into an embankment in the ground. Later Saunas were built above ground with wooden logs. The rocks were heated in a stone stove with a wood fire until the rocks were super hot. This room did not have a chimney but a small air vent in the back wall. The smoke was allowed to fill the room while it was heating. It was a half-day process to heat this type of room. When the Sauna reached temperature, the bathers entered after the smoke cleared. The walls and ceiling would become dark black. This original Sauna was called "savu" (Finnish for smoke) Sauna. The name Sauna it thought to be a derivative of the word savuna, literally "in smoke". The Sauna later evolved to the more typical metal woodstove heater with the chimney. Wherever Finns traveled they brought their Sauna culture with them. It was first brought to America by Finns who settled in the current state of Delaware in 1638. Modern day life and electricity evolved the Sauna again. Saunas became more accessible in the U.S. after the electric Sauna stove was developed in the 1950s. Some Americans that lived near Scandinavian communities may have been lucky enough to discover Saunas early on. After 360 years in this country, the Sauna has become an established tradition for many Americans as it has been for the Finns.

SAUNA-WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Soothes and relaxes tired muscles
Helps to relieve mental fatigue
Relieves tension and stress
Provides a cardiovascular workout--Helps condition heart
Increases metabolic rate
Improves circulation
Provides temporary relief for arthritic pain
Promotes healing and releases natural pain killers, Beta Endorphins and Norepinephrines
Increases resistance to illness
Burns as many as 300 calories during a normal Sauna session
Helps maintain clear, healthy skin--and provides an after glow of a rosy complexion
Promotes a wonderful feeling of well being and a total body experience that no bath can duplicate
Adds luxury and value to your home
SAUNA is the only bath in the world in which both dry and damp air is present at the same time. It is the body's natural way to cleanse itself through perspiration. The high heat (average of 180° F) and the low humidity (about 25%) create an environment which promotes over-all perspiration and the deep cleansing of pores. The body's impurities are flushed away (even nicotine from a smoker's body). This total perspiration helps maintain clear, healthy skin and provides a rosy afterglow. Saunas are first and foremost a place of relaxation. The soft heat and humidity soothes and relaxes tired muscles, relieves stress, and promotes a wonderful after Sauna feeling of satisfaction and well being. The body's natural painkillers, beta-endorphins and norepinephrines, are released to provide a feeling much like the runner's high. During a Sauna, the rate of blood circulation increases, the rate of breathing increases, and the pulse rate quickens. Saunas are like mild exercise, or a cardiovascular workout for your heart. Calories are also burned in a Sauna session. A Sauna should be used in conjunction with a proper diet and exercise program.

Experience the sauna at its best

Reserve enough time.

• Begin by taking a shower.
• It is recommended to use something to sit on, a towel for example.
• The temperature should not be more than 80 to 90 degrees Celsius (100 at the most). Adjust the humidity by throwing water on the heater.
• When you've warmed up yourself, go to cool off for a while.
• Return in the heat, throw some water. Now is the time to use the vihta. (see below)
• Heat and steam competitions are unhealthy and do not belong in the sauna.
• Return to the heat according to your liking. Spend as much time in the heat as you feel comfortable. A fast transition from hot to cold surroundings is not recommended. Those worried for their health should consult a doctor.
• Warm up before washing yourself. After washing, one can still return to warm up a bit.
• Finish by rinsing yourself clean. Rest a while and enjoy a refreshing drink. Put on your clothes only after the sweating has completely stopped.
• Leave the sauna in a tidy condition.
• Avoid alcohol and heavy meals before the sauna. After the sauna, light snacks and refreshing drinks in good company are the way to go

   
 Typical interior of a sauna                                             Description: Finnish "vasta" (also called "vihta")                                                                                           made of birch. It is used as a whip in traditional                                                                                           sauna-bathing for massage and stimulation of                                                                                           the skin