A sauna aficionado shares the skinny.
In the lush landscape of southern Austria’s Styria, at the renowned Rogner Bad Blumau spa resort, I find myself liberated from the constraints of clothing. Here, I’ve happily embraced the nudity culture, wandering freely without a bathrobe or swimsuit for hours. Joyfully, I navigate through various saunas, embodying the spirit of the Austrians, who embrace such experiences with confidence. It’s a delightful scene where individuals of all ages, shapes, and sizes indulge in this wellness ritual, fostering a sense of community and relaxation.
With a resurgence in cold plunging and other wellness practices, saunas and steam baths are once again trending, particularly among the Gen Z demographic. This younger generation is drawn to innovative facilities like New York City’s Othership, an immersive sauna and ice bath experience that combines modern aesthetics with ancient practices. Regardless of the location, participants are united in their quest for wellness through this time-honored ritual, contributing to the ongoing wellness renaissance.
Rogner Bad Blumau © Hundertwasser Architekturprojek
At Rogner Bad Blumau, I immerse myself in the retreat’s extensive selection of 11 diverse saunas, a rejuvenating journey that occupies my entire morning. One standout experience is a sauna infused with the rich scent of local Styrian birchwood, which envelops the rustic, wood-paneled room in a comforting musk-like aroma. A fellow sauna-goer shares that this unique atmosphere is excellent for toning the complexion. After indulging in a refreshing cold plunge and a playful session of patting my body with ice cubes, I eagerly make my way to the Herbal Sauna, where the aroma of locally grown lavender fills the air—renowned for its calming properties. My morning continues with explorations in the Garden Sauna featuring an IKI stove, a Finnish Outdoor Sauna, a Turkish Steam Bath, a meditative Roman Sweat Room, and a reconnection with nature in the Rock Sauna—each experience more invigorating than the last.
Some of my sauna experiences are enhanced by the expertise of sauna masters. These trained “coaches” lead participants through aufguss sessions designed to motivate, entertain, and deepen the sauna experience. These sessions are both challenging and quirky, reminiscent of an energizing Peloton class led by an inspiring instructor. Aufguss sessions distract me from the intense heat, allowing me to fully engage in the experience. These leaders often sing, narrate stories, or artfully whip towels in synchronized movements, distributing herbal-scented steam to each participant. These popular sessions, lasting between 10 to 20 minutes, attract a crowd of like-minded wellness enthusiasts. Afterward, filled with endorphins and a profound sense of harmony, I float toward the coldest water available. Exiting the humid sauna environment, I feel grounded and euphoric. My body is detoxed, revitalized, and alert, achieving a unique balance of relaxation and invigoration. My senses have sharpened, and I feel mentally, physically, and spiritually rejuvenated—a much-needed reset for my overall well-being.
Rogner Bad Blumau attracts wellness seekers not only for its renowned healing mineral waters and the striking architecture of celebrated artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, but also for its comprehensive spa treatments, regional hiking opportunities, and wholesome local cuisine. However, it is the extensive sauna area that truly captivates visitors. This facility exemplifies traditional Austrian sauna culture’s importance to community wellness and personal well-being, not just in Austria but throughout much of northern Europe. The “sauna land-scape” at Rogner Bad Blumau is a vital component of the spa resort’s holistic offerings.
“I exit the clammy sauna milieu feeling grounded and euphoric. Detoxed, invigorated, and alert, my body feels both limply relaxed and charged with vivified energy.”
— Becca Hensley
Bürgenstock Waldhotel Spa salt grotto | Photo courtesy of Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne
Exploring the Rich History of Sauna Culture: From Caves to Modern Retreats
Modern Austrian saunas embrace a multitude of traditional features, yet the roots of sauna culture extend globally, dating back centuries. The origins of saunas may trace back to early humans who fashioned them within caves, secured with animal skin doors or thatched roofs. These sacred spaces, equipped with stones heated by a central fire, not only provided warmth during cold nights but also generated soothing, steamy air when water infused with herbs was poured over the heated stones. Cultural echoes of this ancient sauna practice persist in various forms, such as the Mayan Temazcal, Japan’s Mushi-Buro, and Navajo sweat lodges.
Archaeological findings indicate that fire-burnt, stone-filled pits were discovered in regions like Finland, Sweden, England, Russia, and Latvia, leading experts to believe that the earliest saunas could date back as far as 10,000 years to prehistoric times, specifically the Neolithic and Bronze Ages in Europe. These primitive saunas likely served both practical and ceremonial functions. Viewed as mystical settings, they were places for enlightenment, healing, and marking significant life stages, thus holding profound significance in various cultures.
In subsequent centuries, the Romans, renowned for their love of baths, developed advanced techniques for creating steamy environments through intricate systems of perforated floors. Heated water circulated underneath, creating a humid atmosphere that enveloped bathers in therapeutic warmth. The Roman influence on bathing culture persisted throughout the Middle Ages and potentially inspired the Turkish and Moroccan hammams, which are steam bath-style saunas originally utilized for religious purposes in the Islamic world.
Today, Finland is widely recognized as the birthplace of modern sauna culture, where saunas are so prevalent that they reportedly outnumber the population. The Finnish people are credited with inventing the electric sauna during the mid-20th century, a revolutionary development that transformed sauna experiences worldwide. The introduction of electric saunas made the ritual more accessible and sophisticated. Presently, both traditional wood-fired saunas and modern electric models coexist, with the former often associated with nostalgia and authenticity. While saunas began primarily as spiritual practices, they have evolved into essential components of healthy lifestyles for many, also serving as social hubs, particularly in northern Europe where friends gather to connect and discuss, albeit under the etiquette that conversations remain discreet.
Arab baths of Ronda, Spain
Steaming at 100 to 110 degrees can open airways, hydrate and deep clean the skin, and restore tired muscles.
Unlocking the Health Benefits of Saunas and Steam Rooms for Holistic Wellness
Saunas and steam rooms serve as the cozy companions of wellness self-care, providing therapeutic environments through heated, enclosed spaces. While a sauna offers dry heat with higher temperatures, steam rooms envelop participants in warm, humid air, often enhanced with aromatherapy scents like eucalyptus to amplify the healing effects. For optimal results, it is recommended to use these facilities after workouts. The temperature range of 100 to 110 degrees in steam rooms can effectively open airways, hydrate the body, purify the skin, and rejuvenate fatigued muscles. The soothing atmosphere of a steam room can also alleviate stress, promote circulation, and even assist in burning calories.
In contrast, traditional saunas, which can reach temperatures between 150 to 195 degrees, are associated with a wide array of health benefits. These benefits include reduced stress levels, clearer skin, weight loss, and relief from muscular pain. Research suggests that frequent sauna use can enhance heart health, improve blood pressure and circulation, detoxify the body by removing heavy metals, aid respiratory function, lower the risk of dementia, alleviate joint pain, boost the immune system, elevate mood, and promote better sleep quality. Interestingly, in Northern Europe, it is often considered healthier to sauna in the nude, as clothing can sometimes trap harmful toxins.
Top Sauna and Steam Room Destinations We Adore for Ultimate Relaxation
Photo courtesy of Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa
Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa: A Cliffside Wellness Oasis in Switzerland
This breathtaking cliffside resort overlooking Lake Lucerne features a luxurious three-story spa spanning 100,000 square feet, replete with diverse wellness offerings. The sauna complex and aufguss program at Bürgenstock stand out as among the best in the world. After indulging in the sauna area, guests can float in a saline bath designed to mimic the Dead Sea, unwind in a nap pod, or rejuvenate in an infrared cabin. A post-sauna facial is a perfect finishing touch to this relaxing experience.
burgenstockresort.com
Preidlhof: Merging Austrian and Italian Healing Traditions
Nestled in the picturesque Dolomites, Preidlhof embodies the rich healing traditions of the region, where Austrian and Italian cultures harmoniously blend. This luxurious spa hotel offers transformative healing programs for the mind, body, and spirit. Whether seeking solace from grief, detoxification, or simply a sanctuary to unwind, this northern Italian retreat promises a profound transformation.
preidlhof.com
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