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When you are in a hot steam room, the bloodstream close to the skin intensifies to produce sweat that keeps the body temperature stable. In order that the blood circulation could support the body’s cooling processes, it would be good (strongly recommended) to not eat anything substantial at least for two hours before going to the sauna. Digestion is among the three priority functions of the body (survival, reproduction, nutrition). When you sit yourself on a sauna bench on a full stomach, your body starts a race: the blood circulation needs to choose whether to support digestion or cooling. Such a dilemma may lead to a compromise that is unsatisfactory for both parties and the sauna goer may have feelings of heaviness and spoil their entire sauna experience. However, you should not also suffer from pangs of hunger. When you stay in the sauna for long or if your blood sugar tends to drop rapidly, you should take breaks between sauna procedures and have some easily digestible snacks. Fruits and vegetables would be the best option.Also, when in sauna you should be aware of loss of fluids and to compensate it you should drink a moderate amount of liquids. Excess consumption would cause excessive sweating and loss of minerals. Alcoholic beverages are not good for the self-control needed to “dose” sauna procedures and, if consumed at all, their drinking should be reserved for the time after having a sauna.Dosing of sauna procedures In order for a sauna experience to be one of enjoyment and beneficial to health, you should proceed from and observe your well-being. It is the only reliable yardstick to dose all sauna procedures. Humans have strong instincts of self-preservation and when we listen to and obey our gut feelings, we are guaranteed good and beneficial sauna experiences. Thus, introducing new procedures to broaden your sauna experiences should be based on how you feel and be gradual. For instance, those whose routines do not include body-strengthening dips in icy water and/or cold showers should first try cooling down after a good steaming session in the sauna with cool (ca 16–19 ⁰C) water. After you’ve grown accustomed to bathing in cold water, you may start lowering the temperature of the cooling water, if you wish, or even contemplate diving into a pit of ice and rolling in snow.The functions of body in sauna compensating for the alternation of cold and hot are comparable to an average training load. But even when exercising, you do not start with rapid spurts or heavy weights. Thus, it is only sensible to warm up before whisking or a serious heat session. To this end, you may want to sit/lie in the steam room, refraining from throwing too much water on the stones, and wait until you start sweating more profusely or your gut tells you to take a break and cool down a bit. Start your Iglusauna experience here: <a href="https://iglucraft.com/en/outdoor-saunas/">https://iglucraft.com/en/outdoor-saunas/</a>

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How to prepare for sauna and ensure a worthy experience?

Liis Ots

As in lots of families in Estonia, we had a certain day during the week – Saturday when we had a sauna, whenever it was possible. Since we did not have a sauna, we went to our grandpa’s and grandma’s who were owners of a sauna, or visited public saunas. In my home town, Tartu, with its 100,000 population, there were five such communal sauna establishments.When I was 17, one August evening my aunt’s husband gave me a bundle of birch twigs and showed how to whisk – the proper sauna treatment. It is from him that I got my basic knowledge from, as well as the understanding that slapping your skin with birch twigs is more like a massage and not the vociferous, at times even heroic whipping I had seen in movies and often in communal saunas. Having received a basic training in whisking, I started polishing my skills on friends. During my very first sauna night, I accidently managed to do everything “right” (as it emerged later, after years of practice) and my friend and I experienced such a show of lights and such a sauna trip that has kept me disseminating and promoting sauna experiences to this day. However, over the years the thrills of sauna have made a way deeper into my psyche and “special effects” are no longer the most important outcome.During my studies in the university I became familiar with the students’ tradition of sauna with its main emphasis on drinking beer. I hid deep into underground with my sauna practices and organised sauna rituals only for a few select friends.It was also during the university that I became interested in why and how sauna procedures work. I was assured of what I had experienced from practice: that all effects of the sauna – relaxation, removal of residues, training of body’s defence mechanisms as well as potential sauna trips – are based on human physiology and psyche. Based on the reactions of our body and senses to the heating of the body and rapid alternation of the hot and cold environments. Through this, the benefits of sauna are accessible to all, irrespective of their origin or the climate zone in which they live. Sauna bathing practices with their variations are known to have existed all over the world: besides the habitats of Fenno-Ugric tribes also in Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Japan, and Turkey. Moreover, American Indians as well as the inhabitants of Central American high civilisations had their own sauna practices.After the university, friends and colleagues started to invite me – to further the academic network of communication – to introduce the living sauna tradition of Estonia. This is how my “underground” sauna practices found a way to the international arena where the sauna communities were mainly comprised of doctor’s students and professors from almost every corner of Europe. Later, when I worked at the Viljandi Culture Academy, I became interested in sauna heritage. I was surprised to discover that old folk traditions were extremely practical and complemented by a dose of the world view of bygone times and some spice from the then way of life. The mood in which people went to sauna and stayed in sauna was a central factor in sauna practices. The whole sauna procedure, oneself, family, other sauna goers, sauna spirits, ancestors were appreciated. Focus was on the outcomes of sauna procedures, healing. Exploration of the sauna heritage has opened the doors of the magical side of the sauna to me. And behind this door is the world like Alice’s in the rabbit hole. With its own characters and associations of which a majority still needs to be discovered. Even now, after almost 30 years of conscious sauna practice.Of recent, I have been introducing the effects and traditions of sauna within the framework of in-service training provided by the Viljandi Culture Academy of the University of Tartu and performing sauna rituals at Tartu Barge Yard as well as in saunas in Estonia but also in Latvia and Finland. There are people all over the world who are interested in sauna procedures and sauna magic. And they have been satisfied or very satisfied with the relaxation, stress relief and, in many cases, alleviation of back and joint pains as well as spiritual experience – irrespective of the nationality or race of the sauna goer.Satisfied sauna visitors keep me occupied with organising sauna rituals and away from my acquired speciality and applied research into the impacts of different policies of state whose results end up gathering dust on the infinite shelves of ministries.

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How did I become the sauna master

Having a sauna is one of the best ways to keep your body healthy and strong. Dosages of sauna must always be based on your health status. While it suffices for a healthy person to proceed from how he or she feels (*1), caution must be exercised both in case of high and low blood pressure.In such a case, you should take into consideration that the heat from sauna dilates vessels, causing the blood pressure to drop. However, in cooling processes the blood vessels contract and the blood pressure rises. Thus, in case of hypertension cooling processes should be limited to cool water (about 18 degrees or warmer), and in case of hypotension more caution should be exercised on the sauna bench.If you have low blood pressure, you might want to spend less time in the steam room at any one time and instead take shorter trips. In times between, cool down properly. You could take a cool/cold shower, submerge yourself in water or roll in snow, whatever is the best for you. In case of high blood viscosity (if the blood is “thick”) and varicosis (multiple varices), you should be aware of additional temporary loss of fluids and a potential risk of thrombosis. In such cases, consult with your doctor regarding any sauna procedures. A specialist should be consulted about sauna practices in aggravation phases of heart and chronic diseases. If you have fever, having a sauna is not recommended. Pregnant women should follow a “lighter” version of their sauna habits.Throughout millennia sauna has been a temple of health and a venue of magical rites in very different regions from Japan to Central America. And the tradition of sauna lives and continues to develop. Everyone has a chance to discover the part of sauna procedures they want to make their own. You just need to pay attention and listen to your body. This guarantees proper relaxation, relief of stress and cleansing. And there may be a bonus: a quick visit to the world of good thoughts, new ideas and magical moments.*1 Katriina Kukkonen-Harjula &amp; Kyllikki Kauppinen (2006) Health effects and risks of sauna bathing, International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 65:3, 195-205

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How does sauna affect your body?

As with any type of training, everybody needs to progress according to how they are feeling, i.e. being moderate at first, then gradually increasing the dose. The effect that a sauna session has on your body can be compared to moderate physical activity or training, but it is still recommended that you have one &quot;regular&quot; sauna session before whisking - enjoy it in good company with family and friends or by yourself :)In case of high blood pressure you should take caution with cooling processes and keep away from sudden temperature fluctuations. In case of low blood pressure it is recommended to enjoy shorter sauna sessions and to cool your face, head, and body with water. In some saunas I have even encountered ice buckets that serve this purpose.  So, in case of high as well as low blood pressure the golden rule is that if you consider your well-being, getting steamed is a truly pleasant experience and can only benefit your health.Several longitudinal studies have confirmed the link between going to the sauna and keeping the risks of blood pressure and coronary heart disease at bay. The reason here being the training that the alteration of hot and cold temperatures has your heart and vascular system. But also the fact that sauna helps to relax and decreases the levels of stress. Start your Iglusauna experience here: <a href="https://iglucraft.com/en/outdoor-saunas/">https://iglucraft.com/en/outdoor-saunas/</a>

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Q: How does sauna affect my blood pressure?

An important golden rule about sauna is: in order for a sauna experience to be one of enjoyment and beneficial to health, you should proceed from and observe your well-being.In order for the indicators of feeling to be reliable, it is recommended to avoid consuming alcohol and other psychotropic substances as well as antidepressants during sauna procedures. Consuming beer and other light alcoholic beverages that is a popular pastime in the Baltics, Finland and Russia should be postponed until reposing after the sauna. Even though a light beer has no significant effects on the body of an adult, it also does not provide anything necessary. And often one beer is not left with another or as old folk say: third time is a charm. Such amounts, however, are not good for riding the sauna highs based on the internal regulation of the body but instead start affecting adequate self-perception. I myself promote sauna enjoyment fully free of extracorporeal substances of pleasures since even after sauna procedures / rituals it is good to pay attention to what is going about with your senses.The state of mind achieved from the cleansing and relaxation of the body is a value in itself. At least two musicians who have participated in sauna rituals have found new melodies in themselves in this a way. And a former top athlete summarised the experience simply as follows: that sauna thing is sick – I get such good ideas.

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Alcohol and sauna rituals

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.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.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.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.

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How does sauna affect your mind?

João Magalhães

Four hand-crafted Iglucraft glamping cabins in a safari in Denmark with outstanding occupancy and high nightly rates combining centuries-old Nordic shingles technology and modern craftsmanship have been thriving through the challenges of 2020. They are ready to order six more cabins for next season. What are they doing right?As there is no other industry in the world right now reinventing itself quite as dramatically and rapidly as tourism and hospitality, the sectors are adapting their ways of working by reimagining both their services and spaces offered. It is believed that most likely the attitudes, motivations, and preferences of people and tourists will have changed for the foreseeable future, perhaps forever.The new factors of success People are used to travelling and they continue to do so. It is predicted that travel and tourism will grow, not by reverting to what it was, but by adjusting to a world where all activities and everything we do in the world will have changed.“There is no question that the special circumstances in 2020 have further changed our guests’ perception of what a good holiday is,” says Thomas Hansen, the Manager of Operations in Ree Park Safari. “More and more people will stay in Denmark the coming years and the money they used to spend abroad is going to be used on “special” experiences back home. Therefore, we are expecting the glamping concept to grow and with the right combination of more individualized experiences and accommodation level of a hotel room, we are looking at a growing and profitable business. People are simply willing to pay more as the value of the experience increases.” Ree Park Safari that combines a unique setting and smart accommodation choices, fosters social distancing and attracts domestic travellers who desire to get away from the city into the nature. After the fully booked summer of 2020, Ree Park Safari has made an order for 6 extra cabins as to the growing demand for overnight stays in the safari.While offering accommodation to visiting families is something Ree Park Safari has tried before, the Iglucraft cabins have definitely shed new light on the whole idea.“It was important to us that the visitors of the safari park could prolong their stay in a way that adds value to our business. Our idea was to offer an experience, not just a place to sleep. With Igluhuts we hit the target better than expected,” says Hansen.People are expecting 5-star luxury for the 5-star prices, so the safari has designed each cabin individually to make them stand out from each other. “We have tried to make people feel like they are in a home away from home, not to make the cabins feel like generic hotel rooms. Therefore, we have added lots of finishing touches to make them that little bit special,” says Hansen.

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Glamping In A Safari In Denmark

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 organizing 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="#">View all Saunas</a>