The Sanctuary Experience - Sauna
Location - DUNYA CAMP in Summerville, Georgia - featuring a barrel sauna experience
THE WORD “SAUNA” MADE ITS FIRST APPEARANCE DURING THE 1800’S IN FINLAND. EARLY FINNISH DESIGNS CONSISTED OF A HOLE IN THE GROUND THAT ACTED AS A SHELTER, AND WAS FILLED WITH HOT STONES FOR WARMTH DURING THE FRIGID SCANDINAVIAN WINTERS.
THE CONCEPT OF A SAUNA DATES MUCH FURTHER BACK TO THE NEOLITHIC PERIOD IN GREENLAND, WHERE STRUCTURES BUILT FROM STONES WERE USED AS HEATED BATH HOUSES.
IN THIS ARTICLE WE’LL EXPLORE THE ORIGINS OF SAUNA, AND HOW ITS EVOLVED INTO WHAT WE KNOW IT TO BE IN MODERN TIMES. WE’LL ALSO EXPLORE THE HEALING EFFECTS OF THIS WELLNESS PRACTICE, AND HOW A SAUNA CULTURE HAS DEVELOPED AROUND THE WORLD.
AND AS ALWAYS, WE’VE INCLUDED OUR BUCKET LIST OF GLAMPTUARYS THAT FEATURE AMAZING SAUNA EXPERIENCES IN CASE YOU WANT TO SWEAT IT OUT.
THE HEAT IS ON!
Function and form without the glamour - an early Finnish Sauna built into the hillside
It’s said that there are more saunas in Finland than cars.
I’ve also heard there are more alligators than people in Florida.
I’m not sure which is true, or if either are true. I do know which one I prefer to be true though…
Finland may be the sauna capitol of the world, but they can’t claim to have invented it. The earliest known practice of sweating it out seems to date back to roughly 4000 B.C. Archaeological sites in Greenland and Newfoundland have uncovered structures very similar to traditional Scandinavian farm saunas, some with bathing platforms and enormous quantities of badly scorched stones.
The Finns definitely can claim credit for devising some of the first plans for constructing a sauna.
The basic concept of early saunas was to dig a hole into a slope side hill, fill it with rocks, heat the rocks, and then splash the heated rocks with water to create steam. And while hillside saunas are still built today, most modern saunas are designed to be a bit more aesthetically appealing.
Near the end of the Industrial Revolution, the sauna evolved from a pile of heated rocks to a wood-fired metal stove. And in 1938, the first electric sauna stove was introduced by Metos Ltd.
Over the years - many iterations of sauna have been introduced. These include options like an INFRARED SAUNA, where temperatures and humidity are typically much lower in the room and the heat is focused on the body. Infrared saunas are typically meant for relaxation, as well as improved circulation, reduced stress and pain relief.
Another type of sauna that’s grown in popularity at more luxurious locations is the SALT SAUNA. Also known as Halotherapy, taking a steam in a Himalayan salt sauna can help people who are suffering from respiratory and dermatological conditions.
The modernity of the infrared and salt saunas is certainly impressive, but my favorite is the FINNISH SAUNA. I’m old school like that and when I say “old school,” I prefer wood-fired stoves, heated rocks, and a sauna built from oak. I’m fine with skipping the hole-in-the-ground part…
Finnish saunas are known for high heat and humidity, with temperatures ranging from 150 - 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Health benefits include detoxification, improved immune function, and muscle relaxation.
All saunas have cross-over with the aforementioned health benefits, and it really comes down to personal taste and finances when choosing which sauna may be best for you.
Sometimes the exterior surroundings come into play. Take SAUNA CAMP in Excelsior, Minnesota for example. This location, set on Lake Excelsior, offers its guests a steam in a Barrel Sauna overlooking Lake Excelsior, combined with a cold plunge in the lake during the winter months.
Minnesota seems to be a hotbed (pun intended) for other sauna programs as well, like Saunable located on Schulze Lake in the Twin Cities.
There’s also a floating sauna on Lake Superior in Grand Marais, MN called Sisu + Löyly.
The list goes on and on for sauna in Minnesota which has a deep Finnish heritage, so it’s no surprise it’s a popular and growing movement up in the northern United States.
Sauna is popular outside of the state of hockey, too. With an increasing focus on wellness and self care, the sauna market in the U.S. is estimated to grow by $151.3 million from 2025-2029.
Sauna is growing globally as well. Europe has always been popular for sauna, and places like Japan have claimed to have grown by 1 million sauna enthusiasts in the last year alone.
Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked as the best sauna of the year in 2024.
There’s even podcasts dedicated to sauna life like The Upper Bench. There are also sauna blogs like Almost Heaven, which highlights their sauna products and industry trends.
And of course, there are Glamptuarys who are offering sauna as part of their sanctuary experience. Which brings us to our bucket list. I hope I get to sweat it out at each of the gorgeous Glamptuarys listed below that offer a premiere sauna experience.
DUNYA CAMP - Summerville, Georgia
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
SAUNA, CULINARY, MASSAGE, YOGA, WELLNESS
NORTHERN LIGHTS VILLAGE - Levi, Finland
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
SAUNA, HUSKY, REINDEER, AURORA BOREALIS, CULINARY, NORDIC SKIING, SNOWSHOEING, SNOWMOBILING, ARTS & CULTURE
GLAMP GOOD - Wetaskiwin County, Alberta, Canada
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
SAUNA, HIKING, CULINARY, AURORA BOREALIS, CANOEING
SMITH LAKE FARM - Merville, British Columbia, Canada
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
SAUNA, FARM TOURS, CULINARY, ANIMALS, BEES, WELLNESS, LAKE ACTIVITIES
ELK ISLAND RETREAT- Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta Canada
EXPERIENCES OFFERED:
SAUNA, HIKING, CULINARY, MASSAGE, WELLNESS, AURORA BOREALIS
Whether you’re a pro at sauna, or a first-timer, the Glamptuarys listed above offer world-class service and an opportunity to experience sauna wellness at your own speed.
Pro tip from when you sauna… stay hydrated. And I mean drink water… :)
Namasté.
I truly appreciate your time and if you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read - please share with your network.
