Sauna

[Kharnynb]

kuuma means hot in finnish, i'm guessing they are at the very least from finnish origins, or pretending to be

Most sauna outside of finland is either too cold, or hot but dry, neither makes for a good sauna.

In finland we do cool down as well by going out, even when it's -30 C. rolling in the snow, or diving in the lake(even in winter, we cut out holes in the ice) is optional, but i tend to like it.

 

[itsnotrequired]

check out their website:

http://www.lamppakuuma.com/kuuma-wood-sauna-stove-heater.html

 

[Pappers_]

If we're being technical and talking only narrowly about 'sauna', then yes, that technically means the Finnish style sauna. Everything else isn't that, by definition, and if that's our only standard, then nothing else measures up to it.

But really, why should we be narrowly definitional like that? Around the world, there are so many traditions related to using heat to relax, for health, cleanliness, community, religion or fellowship. The Bania (Russia), the Hamman (Turkey), and the Temescal (original peoples in the Western Hemisphere) are just three examples.

I'd also add that in the US, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, in cities like New York and Chicago, there developed another tradition. These were communal, multi-generational saunas and lodges that usually had a variety of rooms for guests to use, using ovens and hot rocks, dry and wet 'saunas', steam rooms, and sometimes hot and cold bathing pools.

So, while I understand national pride and the 'my country's sweating traditions are better than your country's' it seems a little jingo-istic to me.

 

[itsnotrequired]

agree with all of the above. 'sauna' has somewhat come to be an all-inclusive term for any type of sweat therapy but in reality, it has a specific meaning. nothing at all wrong with a bania, schvitz, jim jil bang, etc. they each have their own unique means/methods but at the end of the day, they all kind of accomplish the same thing.

its just those defensive finns.

 

[Kharnynb]

fun site that, the wood stoves look quite similar to old-style saunastoves with waterheater, though usually we have the waterstorage inside stove "frame" instead of bolted on. these are still popular at cottages where you might not have running warm water.

The electric ones look a bit weird, very little space for rocks.

 

[podz]

 

[Pappers_]

Goodness, that is strikingly beautiful!

 

[podz]

Goodness, that is strikingly beautiful!

Only downside: electric heater.

 

[itsnotrequired]

there are some real works of art out there:

 

[podz]

 

[Mismost]

Wow...those are works of art!

My sauna is a 1997 GMC pickup truck....but it only works in the Texas summer! (I finally fixed the electric Windows and the air conditioner)