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Telegraph｜Why your next winter break must be to Estonia?

Mary Teras

I learned how relaxing a sauna can be when I was already a child, as my parents took me to the sauna weekly, which in our family took place on Saturday nights. That also enabled me to experience first-hand the respect my parents had for our sauna tradition, which we followed religiously and hardly ever missed. However, long after, when I was a teenager, my friend had the joy of receiving a crash course in sauna rituals from my uncle-in-law. Till today I call that my first &#039;serious sauna experience&#039; since we could never have imagined that this would set us up for a trip to the &#039;cosmos&#039;. The interstellar flight culminated with a &#039;centrifuge&#039; sensation. The gradually slowing rotation ended with a landing back in our bodies and a true experience of bliss and an ineffable stillness as if filled with everything.What happened? How? Why? Where are the boundaries of our perceptions? Do they even exist? What is real? Since the late 1980s&#039; &#039;Soviet socialist realism&#039; available sources couldn&#039;t answer those questions, we were left in the dark for quite some time. Answers could only be sought by experimenting on oneself repeatedly and inviting friends to the magic land of sauna bathing. However, 35 years fast forward, I could not wish for nor recommend a better way of discovery. Everyone is best experienced in the inner and outer cosmos through their journey to feel themselves. The travels of all the other &#039;fellow astronauts&#039; serve as inspiration for their trips and act as a point of comparison, which aids in piecing together a common mosaic of the possible multiplicity of realities.My colourful sauna journeys full of special effects were soon enriched and later replaced with more profound self-discoveries, which increasingly found their way into my night dreams. At the same time, towards the end of the 1990s and the dawn of the new millennium, with the &#039;coming out of the closet&#039; of my sauna rituals, the circle of sauna-goers expanded considerably, whose feedback provided more points of reference which confirmed my hunches of my what was happening and what I was discovering. A whole separate book could be written about the experiences of saunas (and it will hopefully once be in black and white). Still, if I could have an opportunity to find a way how to summarise them, I would emphasize the following bullet points:- Changes in physical sensations. At a reposting state after whiskering, birds can be heard chirping miles away; colours appear more vivid, rich or intense; and time and space feel mouldable. Add image flashing and &#039;merry-go-round&#039; effects whilst remaining entirely in touch with reality, with the immediate environment remaining largely the same.- Eureka moments. It is common, as if out of nowhere, to have quick realizations or closures of your daily concerns or issues that have been sitting on your back for quite some time. A sailor once summed up this rubric during our sauna ritual in a straightforward yet simple way: &#039;Jan, your sauna is hot for me, but then again, good thoughts come to mind, so let&#039;s keep going.&#039;- Creative flashes of unearthly beauty, both in image and sound, I can confirm at least two musicians who have left the sauna with a new melody. It is clear sauna channels its magic differently to everyone. - Journeys in the inner/outer cosmos. Intermediate self-discoveries, i.e. encounters with oneself and the different parts of the consciousness. Games with the subconscious mind, during which it is also possible to carry out self-suggestion, i.e. the programming of changes in behavioural patterns and attitudes that are important or necessary for oneself. Trips to the far and wide. Visits to the unknown and the known.- Perceived concentrations of the effects practised by the sauna users. Be it breathing techniques, meditation, or yoga practices, sauna&#039;s effects produce more intense yet shorter-lived manifestations of these effects.- &#039;Pure&#039; emotions: encompassing bursts of bliss, joy, and a feeling of freedom – all of which can be defined as distinct yet extremely immediate simultaneously. - Visions. Very personal, meaningful and extraordinary events. Visions of both the past and the future. I recall a Finnish sauna-goer who was able to experience meeting his little daughter, who had grown up all during his sauna experience. They had a long conversation!- Experiences of unity. On the one hand, they are like journeys, changes in perception and cognition. At the same time, they can be very distinct. For example, you could feel oneness with water extending over the entire body of water, after taking a cold dip in the water after the sauna. In most cases, the saunas experience a combination of &#039;special effects&#039;. For example, changes in perception or journeys have involved pure emotions - joy, a sense of freedom, and bliss.... You name itFurthermore, shamanism deserves a different discussion as an independent dimension within, above, and around psychic sauna activities.

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People find in the sauna what they are ready for.All the experiences mentioned above, recognitions, and &quot;special effects&quot; of the saunas can be summarized as having been, at least, very pleasant, moving, or even exhilarating, even if the experience was something unexpected. I can count the exceptions on one hand of my 34 years of practice. One Icelandic rapper claimed to have re-met demons in the sauna. In his own words, it wasn&#039;t an exceptional event, which leaves me wondering if he had used before the session. This brings me to reaffirm that alcohol and externally administered psychotropic substances don&#039;t add but likely mar your journey. On one occasion, the positive spinning feeling, which I mentioned above as one of the positive side effects in the sauna room, paralleled the merry-go-round overdose sauna goer had experienced as a child. And on two other occasions, the alterations in perception have induced a mild and a severe panic attack. In the latter case, I let my former co-worker vent his feelings of insecurity and help translate the confusion into words. After two or three minutes, he was back to his usual self. He then claimed he took positives out of that experience despite initially unwanted experience. In the context of psychic saunas, where &quot;special effects&quot; are the cherry on the cake of relaxation, it is important to note that they may not and need not be to everyone&#039;s taste. Only some people will necessarily go &#039;tripping&#039;. It&#039;s as if one finds oneself on these paths at the right time with the gentle permission of the constellation of the stars. Many like to go with the flow like old fish, with an exact purpose. In any case, it is not ethical to push the experience and respect and feel everyone&#039;s boundaries at that time – one must enjoy the experience to their limits. Should anything disturbing happen, speaking up, I will immediately bring you back to your comfort zone with the familiar world once again taking over. Most of us will naturally and spontaneously regulate their sauna dosage. And it&#039;s true - everyone knows exactly what and how much they need to nourish their body and mind.It&#039;s also essential to bear in mind that, in addition to the psychological effects, the cold-hot alternation can also change the sense of coordination, which is why I never let anyone dip into the cold water on their own. I am proud to say this precautionary method has paid off, for which I can boast with only safe experiences up until now.The reasons sensations play tricks on us in saunas have only begun to emerge from a scientific perspective relatively recently. Since the 1970s hippy movement went dormant, the study of psychedelics has been consequently deemed taboo.It was only in 2019 that Jon G. Dean&#039;s paper &quot;Biosynthesis and Extracellular Concentrations of N,Ndimethyltryptamine (DMT) in Mammalian Brain&quot; (published in the magazine &#039;Nature&#039;) confirms the long-held assumption that the mammalian body itself is capable of &quot;producing&quot; dimethyltryptamine (DMT), the most potent psychedelic known. In addition, the study revealed that DMT is present in the human body in quantities comparable to serotonin and dopamine, without which normal body and mental functioning would be disrupted. In addition, the study found that DMT levels in the cerebral cortex of rats increased by 600% after cardiac arrest. On the one hand, it is natural to want to protect neurons from dying from oxygen deprivation, one of the known functions of DMT. On the other hand, the flood of psychedelics can explain changes in consciousness in the pre-mortem state. A similar process (possibly in smaller volumes) occurs under severe stress situations and in simulated situations. Such as sauna bathing, in which the heating in the steam room is followed by an abrupt transition to an entirely new set of conditions for the body, even when tempered with cool water (not to mention bathing in ice), to which one must react in any case to ensure homeostasis.It&#039;s up to interpretation to decide what was before, whether it was an egg, a chicken, or an idea of both. Still, perceptual changes (and their corollaries) are already built into the basic post-natal package by default through human physiology, neurochemistry and the functioning of the psyche.Humans are cunningly constructed, whereby playing with the internal switches and triggers of one&#039;s body chemistry, we are likely to unleash unbounded combinations of ways to experience ourselves and the world at any given moment… and, perhaps, find THE answer.  Wishing you glorious self-discoveries and a pocketful of sunshine!

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The magic and spirituality of going to the sauna

Jan is a human geographer who grew into the sauna culture already in early childhood, being constantly involved in the traditional sauna and healthcare rituals by his grandparents, parents, and later his education as well as a deeper personal interest towards the sauna. Today, he is valued for his almost shamanic sauna rituals and amazing effects on sauna indulgers’ mental and physical health. He has worked with people from all over the world – Estonia to Finland to Belgium to Brazil – and earned the unofficial title of Jan the Sauna Shaman. This name was coined last spring after a visit to a sauna ritual at Iglupark by journalists of CNN, Reuters and EuroNews. Ever since nobody wants to miss Jan’s sauna experience

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Read more about Jan here:I consider the summer of 1988 to be the first time I got to experience the true sauna tradition. It happened when my aunt and uncle shared the basics of two-hand whisking massage. Later in the same year, on a summer night in August, I tried out the newly-learnt skills on my childhood friend. I got it right: beginner&#039;s luck, enthusiasm, the joy of discovery, &#039;good&#039; stellar positioning, and God knows what else. After the sauna, diving into Lake Peipus, beneath the light of a billion stars, we tasted an unforgettable cosmic&#039; trip&#039; of post-sauna-effects - something I have been in constant search and practice for since then. My quest to discover the further benefits of sauna will never seize to exist.At first, I only shared my newly developed sauna skills with a small circle of friends. However, as some of my friends were on their way to their doctoral studies, it was important to showcase something peerless to the professors who came to visit our home country from all parts of Europe, and that is when I was put on to a spotlight. That is how my sauna ritual&#039;s well-kept secret gradually became international.I am a human geographer by education. I majored in innovative environments, institutional economics and project management. Thus, the starting point for my search for sauna activities has been the link between direct practice and a scientific outlook. However, the feedback from sauna aficionados, my own personal experiences, and the post-sauna dreams and feelings I experienced manifested more questions, more than the answers from scientific literature could satisfy me. Sauna sessions have played an increasingly important role. When a saunateour returns from a self-indulgent sojourn without uttering a word (commonly, sauna trips&#039; takeaways remain with its indulger) whilst their eyes speak of an experience one cannot yet formulate, then the result is a legion in comparison to what I invested in my academic development.

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The Jan behind Iglucraft sauna rituals

We seem to concentrate too much on our body’s physical health. Although significant, some of the strongest factors in living a long healthy life are often neglected, i.e. our mind’s health, especially in the turbulent and unexpected times like these. Sauna is an essential method for relieving tension that can help enhance your mental health in turn. So, how can sauna help with more healthy emotional wellness?The effects of sauna are based on the physiological and psychic reactions of the body. These are expressed as a response to heating as you sit or lie or whisk in a heated room. And also to the drastic alternation of the hot and cold when you cool yourself in the water, shower, snow, or cold air. Research even shows that because of the sauna, you can feel euphoric. Saunas are kind of stressful on the body, but to deal with it the brain creates and releases more euphoric hormones. There will also be a fast and strong antidepressant effect triggered by a single session, so if you use a sauna daily, you will end up being consistently happy. Therefore, the alteration of the temperatures in the sauna can really support people who fight depression. Regular sauna sessions are also found to contribute to relaxation and impact on mental health by allowing you to avoid the external world’s uncertainties and complexities. When speaking of anxiety and stress levels, regular sauna decreases cortisol levels, the main stress hormone in your body. The excessive sweating induced by the sauna often decreases the level of frustration and enhances relaxation.Sauna also induces better sleep. Having well-rested sleep is the most important thing you can do to increase your memory and cognition. Having high-quality deep sleep is vital to optimum brain function and mental health and one way to experience is to use sauna regularly. With soothing heat that penetrates deep into the skin, sauna sessions help relax the body tremendously. You will find that sleep comes easily and will last throughout the night.At the same time bear in mind that you should go to the sauna only when in good company. The effects of sauna derive from relaxation and we can relax in a situation where we do not have to hide behind roleplays and masks and hence the importance of the sauna company. This is the origin of the saying that in sauna all are equal, be you a king or a pauper. And once you step over the threshold of the sauna door, all the hatred and ill blood must be left behind. Just as important is the mood you have when preparing to go to the sauna. Thus, it would be perfect that you were not pushed for time to be somewhere else both while in sauna and after having a sauna.The intensity of the sauna experience and the very humanity of both its invigorating effect on body’s defence systems and broadening effect on the mind are the reasons why sauna traditions are timeless and known all over the world. Sauna has been enjoyed by indigenous people as well as very different civilisations in the Orient, Europe, and Central America. And although every tribe and nation has their own sauna traditions and each sauna goer in turn has their own practices, based on the universal physiological and psychic properties of the human body and mind, some things can be underscored that one should pay attention to in the sauna.Also, traditionally, after-sauna time was taken to spend with yourself, guests and family. It is an old folk’s belief that after sauna no work should be engaged in. Those who broke that rule could expect to suffer ill fate and their toil would have no blessing. If you take the time and give yourself an opportunity to enjoy a “new reality” stemming from the relaxation of the body and tranquillity of the mind, then sauna offers relief to stress for sure and some wow experience from time to time. Just as you start hearing the sounds of nature once you have left the noise of the city behind, this change in pace offers a chance to notice what goes on in your mind and consciousness. This also explains the new ideas and magical experiences of those that participate in sauna rituals.All in all, emotional health isn’t going to cure itself at the end of the day. In order to reinvent yourself as a better, more optimistic, and more grateful human, you need to take action. In preserving and creating well-being, <a target="_blank" href="https://iglucraft.com/en/outdoor-saunas/">saunas</a> are a must. It can be difficult to sort out mental health, but you can accomplish it in your daily life with the right actions, though.

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Iglusauna is not just about the design and craftmanship. Iglusauna can be the landmark in your garden or an expression of your mindset. The steam of Iglusauna is famous at home and abroad. Due to it&#039;s curved shape steam travels upwards to the ceiling, drifting softly downwards and filling the entire room and enveloping those relaxing on the bench.<a href="https://iglucraft.com/en/outdoor-saunas/">View all Iglusaunas</a>

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IGLUSAUNAS

The surprising effects of sauna on your mental health

In order to be sure that all of the systems are in working order and operating as they should, it is recommended that you get the chimney of your sauna cleaned at least every 6 months. Consider the do’s and don’ts below to understand the more specific safety requirements of your sauna. <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/vh0s5kknwc1y8cf/Stoveman%2013_SAUNA%20HEATER%20INSTALLATION%20AND%20OPERATING%20MANUAL_ENG.pdf?dl=0">In case of any doubt consult the Sauna Stove User Manual</a>DO have your chimney cleaned by a professional sweeper twice a year or more often if it sees heavy use. This eliminates soot and creosote buildup that can easily catch fire. DO take extra caution in case the sauna hasn’t been used for a longer period – check the condition of the ash box, the chimney and the smoke flue, and ask for a professional opinion in case of doubt. DO burn resin-free woods like alder and birch as they produce less creosote.DO make sure your wood is seasoned (at least six months to one year) as it will burn better and leave less creosote residue. DO use a proper fire starter like crumpled paper / newspaper, birch bark or a special wood fire starter to ignite the fire as the use of wrong substances can easily cause chimney fire. DO empty the ash box each time before heating the stove and put the ash in a metal container. As the removed ash may contain hot embers, do not keep the ash container close to combustible material or the sauna. DO keep the ash box slightly open when heating the stove, but close it when the sauna room is heated to decrease wood consumption. DO take measures to lengthen the life span of your stove:  - Excessive draught to the fire will cause the stove body to become red-heated, which will shorten its life span considerably;  - Burning large amounts of wood of high thermal value will shorten the life span of the stove;  - Excessive heating (several full loads in a row, for example) will make the sauna room, stove and chimney overheat, which shortens the life span of the stove and may cause a fire;  - The use of seawater will corrode the stove very rapidly;  - Empty the ash box before heating the stove so that the combustion air would cool off the fire grate and lengthen its life span. DO rearrange the sauna stones once a year as the large variation in temperature disintegrates the stones in use. Remove any pieces of smaller or cracked stones from the stone space and replace disintegrated ones. DO check the stove once a year as to the wear and tear of the metal parts of the stove. DO take time to heat up your sauna and do not try to get the sauna hot quickly as overheating might cause a fire. If you do feel that the sauna takes longer than usual to heat up, conduct a thorough inspection of the sauna as this might indicate a serious problem. DO wipe dust and dirt from the stove with a damp cloth every month. DO get acquainted with the instructions in case of fire: • Close the ash box and stove door; • Call the fire department; • Do not try to extinguish fire using water, but a special fire extinguisher. DO NOT start fire with flammable fluids, such as gasoline, lighter fluids, solvents or anything else not labelled as wood fire starter as this will cause chimney fire. DO NOT ever burn the following materials in the stove: • materials of high thermal value like chipboard, plastic, coal, brickets, pellets • painted or impregnated wood • any waste (textiles, leather, rubber, disposable diapers, PVC plastics, etc) • garden waste (grass, leaves, etc) • liquid fuel that might seem like an easy way of starting the fire DO NOT leave the door of the stove open when burning wood in the stove. The amount of draught can be adjusted by opening the ash box. DO NOT let the fire burn unattended.DO NOT leave the firewood, matches, or any other combustible material in the hot room of the sauna. DO NOT keep the ash container close to the sauna as the removed ash may include hot embers and catch fire.

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Iglusauna is not just about the design and craftmanship. Iglusauna can be the landmark in your garden or an expression of your mindset. The steam of Iglusauna is famous at home and abroad. Due to it&#039;s curved shape steam travels upwards to the ceiling, drifting softly downwards and filling the entire room and enveloping those relaxing on the bench.<a href="https://iglucraft.com/en/outdoor-saunas/">View all Iglusaunas</a>

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When was the last time you had your sauna chimney cleaned?

No one knows exactly when and where did this sauna tradition start, but being naked in the sauna is something that true sauna lovers would never question. In the Fenno-Ugric languages, the word „leil“ (the water vapour rising from a sauna heater or hot stones) has been used since at least the 3rd millennium BC. Originally in cave saunas, but also in the still quite common chimneyless smoke saunas, there was no bigger source of light than just a door and later also a small window. So being naked would not have been an issue :)Going to the sauna was a very sacred act and it was done only together with the most close ones. It is likely that the whole act was ritualized, as is indicated by the preserved sauna customs, beliefs and general respect for the sauna, which clearly runs through the entire verbal tradition.Nowadays, the most important arguments - whether to be naked in the sauna or not – are first and foremost the physiological ones. The fact is that the body needs the possibility to actively skin-breathe to cool down and sweat, which is why clothing is a distracting factor. It is also ideal for full enjoyment of the sauna when you are free from the need to play every-day social role-play games. In other words, in order to achieve the best relaxation, it is good to go to the sauna in the company of those who don&#039;t see nakedness as a problem.However, such conditions might not always be perfect and therefore cultural-traditional-habitual differences might not allow us to feel good completely naked. In such cases, the following principle can be followed: cover yourself as little as the situation and the company currently allows, so that everyone could focus on relaxation in the sauna. However, it is highly recommended to use a bath towel made of natural materials or a light bathrobe for this purpose, and to avoid synthetic swimwear and bikinis, which significantly inhibit the skin&#039;s breathing.For decades, I have been organising sauna rituals for people from very different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, and mostly, after hearing the explanation of why and how, people tend to either trust the tradition and be naked or cover their groin area with a sauna towel. In the rest area a sauna towel or a bathrobe is used, so that everyone would feel comfortable.

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Iglusauna is not just about the design and craftmanship. Iglusauna can be the landmark in your garden or an expression of your mindset.The steam of Iglusauna is famous at home and abroad. Due to it&#039;s curved shape steam travels upwards to the ceiling, drifting softly downwards and filling the entire room and enveloping those relaxing on the bench<a href="https://iglucraft.com/en/outdoor-saunas/">View all Saunas</a>

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Iglusaunas

Should you be naked in the sauna?

In the early summer of 2022, Iglucraft&#039;s sales team launched a game-changing solution in the world of customer relations, allowing to sell tiny houses and saunas more successfully and in a more customer-friendly fashion worldwide. &quot;The solution, developed in cooperation with AVAR Agency and with the support of EAS (Enterprise Estonia), has already been positively received by many customers. The initial three-month launch period has shown that the new solution has brought thousands of visits to our virtual showroom as well as website, and new sales of saunas and huts,&quot; Villu Valm, Sales Director of Iglucraft, revealed.This new solution, the like of which has so far only been used in Estonia in the field of selling new real estate developments, works on three levels: a 3D view of the products, a virtual showroom on the website, and a virtual reality experience through 3D glasses.

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The Virtual Showroom application on the website allows the customer, by filling out a contact form, to enter an Iglupark, a village made of Iglucraft products, whilst in the middle of nature.  In the setting one can familiarise with Iglucraft huts, saunas and offices - inside and out, as well as get a perfect idea of their actual dimensions and additional aspects. The experience can be found on Iglucraft&#039;s website at: <a href="https://showroom.iglucraft.com/">https://showroom.iglucraft.com/</a>&quot;Commonly, the customer is not able to comprehend what the feeling is really like inside the product, simply looking at a photo or a video, nor is it easy to translate the dimensions in the way we wish. We still come across situations where we have shared photos, videos, and drawings with the client, but once the client enters the house in person, they are surprised to find that everything is much more spacious than they had imagined,&quot; says Valm.  The third feature, 3D glasses, allows Iglucraft&#039;s sales team to take all the products with them to the other side of the world. &quot;Our sales managers go to customer meetings all over Europe, and as of this year, also in the US. Based on our experience, we can say that as the customer has a better understanding of the product, the sales cycle is shorter, and the need to invite the customer to Iglupark in Estonia to see the products is reduced,&quot; added Valm.While the showroom app on the website helps to reach new leads, the 3D glasses and the reality experienced there makes it easier to close sales. Without exception, the 3D experience has brought out a powerful emotion in everyone. As this is a new solution in our industry, most of the time, this encounter is also our customers&#039; first virtual reality experience of their lifetime. This excitement and the wow-effect are powerful ice-breakers and make contact with the potential client much more casual, yet stronger.Another advantage of using the virtual showroom as a sales tool is that it enables to sell interior design that will not yet be ready, for example, for another six months. Solutions created in collaboration with a designer can be made visible to the customer today, even though production has the capacity to produce the solution at a later time. So, sales-wise, we are virtually ahead of time.In addition to sales, the virtual showroom is an indispensable and innovative marketing tool. &quot;If it seems like you are hitting a wall at any point, it&#039;s not the case. The more the privacy settings of different phone operating systems inhibit advertising on social media platforms, the more necessary new clever solutions are to generate leads. A new platform is a solution for the coming years to help engage in a dialogue with important contacts, regardless of what is happening in the operating system landscape. It will also be possible to measure customer behaviour and interest in different products in the &#039;back room&#039; of the showroom, which is also a new and exciting addition, in the views of marketing and product development.&quot;

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Iglucraft sells tiny houses and saunas in a virtual showroom

Summer is the season of greenery—plants peak at their vitality and vigour in the full aromas and juices they extract. Over the millennia, humankind has developed relationships with plants, discovering their most positive effects. Likewise, we use their arsenal of chemistry for our benefit, healing, and sensory experiences.Summer is always the best time to make sauna whisks and harvest herbs, apart from conifers, which can be used to make whisks all year round. The most widely used trees to make sauna whisks are birch, oak, maple, linden, and juniper bushes, among which various herbs such as mint, angelica, blackcurrant, sage, and rosemary, amongst others whose pleasant aromas and &#039;goods&#039; can be enjoyed. For herbs that are for imminent use in the sauna ritual, it is appropriate to use any herbs that are mature enough not to fall apart at first contact with heat and the body. Whisks for longer preservation, one must select more carefully.Birch tree twigs are best to pick between the summer solstice and mid-July. Make sure that the birch leaf has not been feasted on by bugs and is not yet blooming.Linden twigs are at their best during flowering. The tantalizing fragrance of the blossom is preserved even by deep freezing and skilfully drying them. Moreover, the herb is said to have a joint pain relieving effect. Therefore, it is wise to pick it during flowering so that sauna aficionados can also take advantage of its therapeutic scent.Now, oak and maple are more resistant. The best time to collect them for preservation purposes is from the summer solstice to the end of July. Watch out for pest damage on the leaves, which becomes more frequent as the summer progresses and can significantly reduce the quality of the herb.Whisking oneself with a choice of oak will rebalance the flow of energies in the body, improving mood and sleep. Oak can also help in cases of obesity and high blood pressure.The branches of hazel trees make a fine companion to the birch twigs when one wants to invigorate the spirit or ward off skin diseases. Hazel combined with elk hemp has a powerful and zestful effect. Soak the whisks in water and brew an infusion in a sit-in bath. It has a soothing impact on prostate issues.A juniper whisk stimulates the blood circulation of the skin, and its scent is good for the respiratory system. After the juniper, you can gently stroke yourself with a compress made of a more common choice of wood (whisker) to lull the skin. Juniper must be freshly plucked for immediate use, as the thorns tend to fall off quickly, often already within a day or two.---The whisks should always be dried in a warm, dry, well-ventilated room. Avoid excessive humidity, draughts, and direct sunlight. The newly plucked plant should have all cells alive and full of water. If the water is released too slowly, the active substances may decompose or become toxic due to the ferments produced. Excessive humidity also encourages the growth and development of mould and micro-organisms, which can render the herb unusable. On the other hand, excessive exposure to sunlight causes the plant to lose its natural colouring and significantly depletes it from its active substances. The soaking process is to be done to one’s liking. If you prefer a more rough and prickly whisker with a more intense scent, you can leave it to soak in the lukewarm water for 3-4 hours. For more delicate skin, the branches can be softened by keeping the temperature of the soaking water at a level where it is tolerable to put one&#039;s hand in for a few seconds without a burning sensation.Methods of awakening dried whisks vary drastically – it depends on whom you ask. Some prefer a quicker ‘wake-up’ in hot water (about 50°) for half an hour or slightly longer, if necessary. Others prefer a milder, longer-lasting alternative, in cool or room-temperature water for about 5-6 hours, after which (before whisking) the whisk is either gently steamed over a hot stove or allowed to stand in hotter water (50-60°C) for a minute or two. In either case, it is important that the leaves are soft before use. The latter also determines the duration of the revival process.Both methods have their individual advantages. I, personally, am committed to the latter, purely based on a gut feeling. Happy herbalising! (Paraphrasing, the Estonian classic film &quot;Men, don&#039;t cry&quot;)

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The know-how of making sauna whisks

I must say that when I was first asked to write about the best herbs used for saunas, it left me baffled… having an affair so close to the topic in question, I might struggle to encapsulate all my knowledge around it. I&#039;ll try. Even as a small boy, going to the sauna with my father, my grandpop, we back then used birch. That&#039;s why we had a traditional annual outing to the country when the leaves were mature and clinging tightly to the branches but had not yet been feasted to bits by insects. Depending on the spring and weather, it usually happened around or a little time before the Midsummer day in June. We handpicked just the &#039;right&#039; birch branches with good leaf density but not too fine, coarse, or bristly to get a fluffy and shaped bunch. There should not have been significant insect damage to the leaves, or they could have started to bloom.To hold the shape, a few stronger branches became the &quot;backbone&quot; in the middle, surrounded by the thinnest branches, the richest in leaves which gave the whisk its density. To wrap it up, the outer layer branches had an &quot;average&quot; coarseness to hold the shape.Now, the real trick was to find just the right coarseness and density of branches to fill in the thinnest spots that inevitably occurred, so it would be fluffy but solid enough not to fall apart. Next, the leaves had to be removed from the bottom of the whisk so that the branches would hold together nice and densely, and the wreath would sit well in the hand. A lot of practice went into getting the right fluffiness, &quot;just right&quot; tips: even length at the top so that none of the twigs stuck out too much. The bottom end was usually cut straight with an axe. Later, with practice, the cut of the lower end was such that the ends of the twigs would remain as sharp as a block of pencil, which would be a good way of &#039;puncturing&#039; the nerve endings on the soles of the feet during the whisking massage, as if &#039;touching&#039; the organs at the other end of the nerve, thus acting as a &#039;wakening&#039;, making the body more receptive to the sauna procedures.Many years later, the wicked ways of fate turned my affair with the sauna even more profound. I started to use oak and linden in my whisks. I don&#039;t remember exactly why or how, but I most probably found relevant references in literature and/or by communicating with other sauna zealots. By abandoning the inveterated pattern of birch being the central mediator of sauna massage linked to family traditions, I opened the door to a closer relationship with herbs and plants. Hereby, I can give you some advice on the use of herbs in whisks based on my 34 years of experience as a sauna devotee; here are some of my top tips:- I use juniper because its spines make it a particularly effective stimulator of subcutaneous circulation. Its juices help to relieve muscular tension and joint problems. And it also acts as a deep cleanser and therefore is an excellent daily stress reliever;- The combination of yeast and oak restores overall balance and is particularly effective as a body tonic;- The fragrance of heather is calming;- Blackcurrant adds a spicy fragrance to the green; - Hazel, rosemary, and maple branches in fresh incense according to the sensation that arises from focusing on each sauna ritual separately;All plants need to protect themselves from attack, which is why herbal essential oils have antibacterial properties.It is important to remember that each sauna session is unique because all plants are alive, and your interaction with them will be new. In addition, linden and oaks have been a gateway to the unseen world. From this respect for every branch and twig of the plant, we could learn, among other things, from the peoples of nature. Therefore it is nice to be a good gardener when picking herbs, and on the other hand, to be a naturalist: express gratitude to the plants and ask for help to succeed in your journey, be it relaxation, healing, or the need to resolve a difficult situation.Happy blooming!

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Which herbs to use in sauna whisks?

Vahet pole, kas Sa oled jalgpallur, kokk, näitleja või produtsent. Head sauna või väikemaja, kus aeg maha võtta, soovivad kõik. Tahame uusi turge vallutada, mistõttu peame nüüd ja kohe MÜÜGIMEESKONDA suurendama. Selles mõttes on lihtne, et meie turuks on kogu maailm - müü, kuhu tahad! Seega tuleb abiks võõrkeelte, kultuuride ja kommete tundmine. Soome, rootsi, norra, prantsuse, itaalia, hispaania või mistahes muu keel - mis on sinu superpower?Meil on päris tõsiselt ka head tooted. Ning et neid lihtsam müüa oleks oleme nende külge pookinud tugeva brändi ja turunduse. Reisida saab palju, töötame kõvasti, aga samas pidutseme ka ning hea sissetuleku pärast ei pea muretsema.Kirjuta <a href="mailto:personal@iglucraft.com">personal@iglucraft.com</a> või otsi meie kodulehelt Kristeli number ja helista talle.

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The sauna season is just beginning! While sauna seems like an obvious choice in the winter time, because who wouldn&#039;t like to escape the humidity and cold, sauna in the summer, on the other hand, is a very reasonable choice.The fact that the sauna is used happily both in the summer as well as in the winter, even in the Mediterranean climate, may be assumed on the basis of a historical fact that by the 3rd century, approximately 850 saunas or terme were built in Rome - the centre of indulgence of the era, or sudatoriums, were heated up to 70°C. But why on Earth? Here are 7 excellent reasons why sauna is a great choice in the summertime.1. Sweating, sitting on the sauna bench - deep cleansing of the body. In order to keep our body in the best possible condition, we must be able to get rid of residues on an ongoing basis, some of which accumulate under the skin and can only be excreted during long-term sweating. Especially in the summer. It can be successfully and pleasantly done in the <a target="_blank" href="Iglucraft sauna">Iglucraft sauna</a>, which does not require to heat the steam room too hot. To sweat properly, moderate heat (approx. 70°C) is sufficient, at which it is nice to sit on the stage for a long time or, if the dimensions allow, also to lie down. Steam could also be created by pouring water on the hot stones of a sauna stove very moderately so that condensation does not block the sweat glands. The possibility to beat yourself with the whisk of twigs is like a cherry on top of a cake, which can be applied, in order to raise the body temperature even more to activate the function of the skin and the intensity of sweating.

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2. Fresh twigs / herbs bound together in the sauna whisk, which are freely available only in the summer, fill the steam room with a pleasant aroma. Also, the active ingredients of herbs are usually the most intense in the recently collected whisks. According to the folk medicine, many different herbs may be bound into whisks, the use of which has traditionally been varied. However, it is certain that massaging the body by beating it with whisks helps to transport the heat into deeper layers of the skin, it intensifies metabolism, lymph and blood circulation and improves skin elasticity - thus, it has a rejuvenating effect on the skin. The impact is especially noticeable immediately after the sauna, but with frequent sauna visits, interaction with relaxation and reduction of stress, the duration of the rejuvenation treatment is more durable.3. Muscle relaxation after intense physical activity, effort. Traditionally, in Estonia, the sauna was heated after each working day, when the body had to put up with extreme load performing the field work. Nowadays, the source of muscle tension has become sedentary work and lifestyle, as well as physical exertions during trainings and hikes, after which the heat of sauna is a great way to relax tensions in the muscles. Once again, there is no need to try to create extreme heat. Rather, it is recommended to contribute to a longer stay in the steam room, upon which the effect will be long-lasting and relaxation more thorough. The massage performed by beating oneself with the whisks is also of a great help, especially if it is possible to entrust somebody else with the task and at the same time lie down and enjoy oneself.4. Cardiovascular training. The influence of self-heating and subsequent cooling in the sauna is like a massage of internal organs and blood vessels. In the steam room, the blood vessels dilate, the heart activity intensifies, oxygen-rich blood is directed from the &quot;reserve&quot; of the internal organs onto the surface of the body to support cooling processes, sweating. The opposite process takes place when plunging from sauna to a much cooler environment - a pool or a body of water or pouring oneself over with cold water. The blood vessels narrow, the heart activity intensifies as a result of a shock and then slows down to a considerable extent. The whole process strengthens the heart and improves the elasticity of blood vessels, which helps to prevent / alleviate hypertension, especially if you can use spring water for cooling. In summer, it is also possible to stay in the water for a longer period of time after taking a steam bath as if floating in the mother&#039;s womb, which is an extremely relaxing and sometimes even ecstatic undertaking. This sort of luxury, though, can be afforded only in a perfectly warm water, instead of plunging into an ice hole during the winter or in a water body during the autumn or spring coolness.

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5. Stress relief, holiday travel. If, after an active day, it is possible to take a steam bath in the sauna, let the heat warm your body, sweat, massage yourself with fresh, pleasantly smelling whisks and then cool down, by plunging into a natural or artificial water body or, in their absence, taking a cool shower, the body&#039;s defence mechanisms activate. Intracorporeal hormones, which come to the rescue in a stressful situation, should ensure the stability of the body&#039;s functioning and find a solution in case of the emergence of any problems. Anyhow, since we have already relieved the muscle tension in the steam room by pleasantly massaging the body with the whisks and then only simulated a stressful situation by alternating cold and hot, we have tricked our body to obtain a lot of extra relaxation. It is also not uncommon that after the relaxation of internal tensions one reaches unprecedented peace and bliss, or in other cases be brought to ecstasy, lying and meditating alone in the sauna. 6. Improved skin, which tends to be a problem especially during hot summers. The intense and controlled heat of a sauna stimulates circulation within your body. This helps remove dead cells, relax facial tensions, improve skin elasticity, and detoxes out unhelpful bacteria. Ultimately leaving your skin refreshed, nourished, and glowing.

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7. Sauna - an enjoyable social pastime that is always special. One goes to the sauna only in a good company, leaving all worries behind so that one may feel free and unforced. Such wisdom has been shared mouth-to-mouth for centuries. By doing this, all the tensions in the body and mind may be blown off in the four corners of the world, in order to relax, to be purified. In this peaceful mood, special sensations and experiences of wow-effect have occurred that are good to be shared with friends and loved ones.This how special and trusting the atmosphere may become in the sauna may perhaps be illustrated by a memory of mine, when once during another sauna seminar that I was holding in Saaremaa, a former manager of an agricultural holding came up to me and said that all the agreements concluded in the sauna at the time worked and lasted long, thus there was no need to write them down.

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Iglusauna is not just about the design and craftmanship. Iglusauna can be the landmark in your garden or an expression of your mindset. The steam of Iglusauna is famous at home and abroad. Due to its curved shape steam travels upwards to the ceiling, drifting softly downwards and filling the entire room and enveloping those relaxing on the bench.<a href="https://iglucraft.com/en/outdoor-saunas/">View all Iglusaunas</a>

Why Sauna in the Summer?

A good sauna is an enjoyable place where rational design and magic become one. It would be easy to talk about the technical side of building a good sauna, but as strange as it might sound, we assure you that the mystical side of the sauna is equally essential. The combination of the two will define your future sauna experiences. To be more precise – we cannot emphasize enough that you must trust your gut feeling when building your own to every last detail.Below you will find some things to look out for in a ’good’ sauna design. The basics - the sauna heater must match the dimensions of the sauna room. The heater manufacturers provide the recommended dimensions of the heater compartment in the product description, but it is important to pay attention to a few critical details. Better and more powerful sauna steam comes off from large rocks, and the more, the better. So small stoves with powerful electric stoves, which seem to heat relatively large spaces quickly, are not very practical, as the steam they provide is usually fierce and short-lived. A small stove must be able to gather plenty of heat because of fewer stones and pouring water over them will cool down them quickly. Therefore, the heater should be at least a minimum capacity, as suggested by the manufacturer&#039;s specification and with plenty of large stones to ensure a greater accumulation and radiation of heat from the rocks.Should you opt for a pricier wood-burning stove, it can add some natural charm to the sauna. It starts with heating and pre-tuning your awaited sauna session. A parallel with the ancestral world, everything experienced in the sauna was like a call for contact with the unseen world. Plus an aesthetic: a log fire, the smell and sound of burning and crackling wood ... and something else. Something else looms in the far corners of our consciousness. It is activated similarly, like long expeditions into the unknown, the wilderness, the rapids, sailing the endless waterways or going foraging, fishing or hunting, almost like a distant memory of those times when we depended on and lived off seamlessly of nature and its gifts.For a satisfying sauna experience, good ventilation is a must. The oxygen-rich air during a long sauna session, together with the heat, warrants a good rest and relaxation. Ideally, regulating air circulation naturally would be the best way. This can be done by installing openings for the inlet and outlet of fresh air, depending on the location of the heater. However, if that is not an option, installing a ventilation system is necessary. A window in the sauna room is a big bonus because it provides a quick and most efficient solution to the need for air exchange.You&#039;re in luck if your sauna room can accommodate space in both length and width to lie freely on. Only sitting down in a sauna, your head will inevitably get hotter than the rest of your body, especially compared to the soles of your feet. By contrast, lying down vertically in the sauna allows you to relax properly in the even spread heat. Now a bit about safety - positioning the seating area and the heater must comply with fire safety requirements. Also, the air circulation rules must be observed so that the hot air from the heater is circulated as evenly as possible throughout the sauna. The best designs whilst designing the sauna are avoiding corners and making it as curved, convex, and oval as possible.Whilst we talk forever about how to heat the sauna, it’s essential to consider where and how to cool down! Based on the body&#039;s natural defences, the healing and relaxing effects of a sauna we are all after are particularly powerful when there is an opportunity to cool down properly. Water plays a vital role – float weightlessly and let it carry you. If there is a natural or artificial body of water or a swimming pool nearby suitable for this purpose, you’re in luck. However, in the absence of one, the best solutions are those where you can at least be able to dip yourself knee-deep in water. Indoor pools, barrels, buckets, or even inflatable pools in the garden can do the trick – we let you be creative here!Bless!