Latest news with #CommunitySaunaBaths
USA Today
3 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
I went to a social sauna for a party, and it was nothing like I expected
I went to a social sauna for a party, and it was nothing like I expected Show Caption Hide Caption Mobile Saunas on a roll at Rhode Island beaches Kayla Sibilia, the main steward of Altaer Sauna, brings her mobile saunas to Rhode Island LONDON — When I received an invitation to a birthday party at a social sauna, my first thought was: "Do I have to be naked?!" The answer (thankfully) was no, although some sauna traditionalists would prefer otherwise. All I needed was a swimsuit, sandals and two towels to attend a 90-minute session at Community Sauna Baths, a nonprofit communal bathing site in London's Hackney Wick neighborhood. The community is among a crop of social thermal experiences that have opened in recent years abroad and in the U.S. And, as people look for low-cost, high reward summer fun, these saunas are reporting a boom in popularity. Sauna as you've never steamed it before Following a hectic 6 p.m. commute on public transit, the tranquility of Community Sauna Baths was welcome. Approachable attendants had our group sign a waiver (saunas may not be safe for those who are pregnant, have low blood pressure or some heart conditions) while we sipped a rose-infused tea. We traded sneakers for flip-flops and professional clothes for swimsuits and dipped in a quick cold shower before entering one of the wood-fired saunas. Coming from 65-degree temperatures, the heat was stunning at first. The community keeps its chambers around 175 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (note to monitor your body for signs of heat exhaustion). While I had tried a sauna before, it was usually a smallish closet tacked on to a gym or hotel locker room. I'd never experienced this kind of setting — a place where sauna was distinctively the main event. Larger chamber design is key factor of the social sauna movement, widening the physical space to invite more individuals to collectively feel the heat. "It's the only place in London I can think of where I just strike up a conversation with a complete stranger," said Charlie Duckworth, one of the directors at Community Sauna Baths. It's "bizarre" for Duckworth to imagine this level of intimacy possible at a fitness class, where people typically rush in and out of the studio. Here, strangers sit on rows of wooden benches, no phones, sweating together. "It's the intersection of community and recovery," said Evan Galante, co-founder of LÖ-LU Nordic Sauna in Nashville, Tennessee. When he works the front desk, he says he has "no idea" what conversations are happening inside the chamber but loves to hear business partners, parents, neighbors and friends streaming out mid-conversation. And this formula is working: Community Sauna started in late 2021 and now sees about 400 visitors per day on a weekend, and 2,500 per week and has six locations with a seventh opening later this summer. Galante said LÖ-LU was born out of a "few friends" meeting in his backyard that is now a 40-person sauna, a 20-person cold tub, a relaxing lounge area, a coffee shop, an outdoor courtyard, and more. Importantly, sauna is nothing new, said Emma O'Kelly, author of "Sauna: The Power of Deep Heat." "It seems like it's everywhere now," said O'Kelly. These spaces replicate a Finnish sauna model, which dates back thousands of years, she said. Jumping between extremes I would describe myself as "not a heavy sweater," but the lemongrass-infused steam did me in. Dripping, I made my way back to the showers (this rinse keeps salty sweat out of the fresh baths) and then to an array of cold plunges, varying between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. With as much gumption as I could muster, I stepped into the cold water. I felt my neck constrict and shoulders seize to my ears. The trick was to have a buddy. My friend, the birthday girl, and I counted "1,2,3" and submerged. I immediately proclaimed "Nope!" and jumped out, but contrasting hot with cold is an important tool for sauna practice, Galante later explained to me. In order to work our bodies out of "fight or flight," the cold aids regulation. Drawing deep belly inhales and exhales helps the parasympathetic nervous system tell our bodies not to panic, he said. "You have that initial shock, but long term, it's actually calming you down." "It almost forces you into a meditation," said Myles Farmer, co-founder of The Othership, "a new age bath house" with locations in Canada and the U.S. "Before this ... I couldn't meditate. It has changed my whole attitude and my happiness has gone up ... I can't see it being not part of my life at this point." This hot-to-cold routine has major benefits, Famer said, from reduced risk of dementia to increased brain efficiency. 'In the sauna, inhibitions are lowered' At the phone-free sauna, I thought about how many times I would have checked social media had the party been at a bar. Instead, my friends and I laughed and spoke candidly. Achieving satisfying levels of connection is a common reason people return to saunas, Farmer said. Duckworth recalled this "delirious" feeling of intoxicating bliss after an 8-hour day of sweating with strangers last month at The Saunaverse, the UK's first sauna festival, hosted by Community Sauna Baths. "In the sauna, inhibitions are lowered similarly to drinking," he said. These social saunas offer a gamut of sessions to find friends and fun, from sauna for diverse identities to DJ Fridays (LÖ-LU is even hosting a wedding party in coming weeks). "We've been in the [saunas] on a Friday or Saturday night and the energy is quite akin to a local dive bar," Galante said. "People are laughing, it's loud, music is playing." However, traditionalists might reject sauna going mainstream, said O'Kelly, including the requirement to wear swimwear instead of going nude (neoprene "mutes" the steam cleanse, she said). "If you mention this party stuff to Fins, they're horrified," said O'Kelly, adding it's important to take such events as an "entry point," but not to lose the "deep contemplative" elements the practice provides. Low spend, high personal reward This delirious-in-a-good-way-fun comes at a range of price points, too, attracting an array of customers at a time when many Americans want cost-effective recreation with high personal reward. For roughly $29.90 each, my group spent about half the money per person we would have at a typical restaurant birthday party. "It should be accessible to as many people as possible," said Duckworth. After dousing and dipping, it was time for one final rinse off. I left waving at the attendants who had aided us. I would definitely go back, maybe with more buffer time before to get my breath prepared. As I tucked into bed that night, I remembered something Duckworth told me: "You'll sleep like a baby after your first sauna." He was right. What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping it Together newsletter.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
I went to a social sauna for a party and it was nothing like I expected
I went to a social sauna for a party and it was nothing like I expected Show Caption Hide Caption Mobile Saunas on a roll at Rhode Island beaches Kayla Sibilia, the main steward of Altaer Sauna, brings her mobile saunas to Rhode Island LONDON — When I received an invitation to a birthday party at a social sauna, my first thought was: "Do I have to be naked?!" The answer (thankfully) was no, although some sauna traditionalists would prefer otherwise. All I needed was a swimsuit, sandals and two towels to attend a 90-minute session at Community Sauna Baths, a nonprofit communal bathing site in London's Hackney Wick neighborhood. The community is among a crop of social thermal experiences that have opened in recent years abroad and in the U.S. And, as people look for low-cost, high reward summer fun, these saunas are reporting a boom in popularity. Sauna as you've never steamed it before Following a hectic 6 p.m. commute on public transit, the tranquility of Community Sauna Baths was welcome. Approachable attendants had our group sign a waiver (saunas may not be safe for those who are pregnant, have low blood pressure or some heart conditions) while we sipped a rose-infused tea. We traded sneakers for flip-flops and professional clothes for swimsuits and dipped in a quick cold shower before entering one of the wood-fired saunas. Coming from 65-degree temperatures, the heat was stunning at first. The community keeps its chambers around 175 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (note to monitor your body for signs of heat exhaustion). While I had tried a sauna before, it was usually a smallish closet tacked on to a gym or hotel locker room. I'd never experienced this kind of setting — a place where sauna was distinctively the main event. Larger chamber design is key factor of the social sauna movement, widening the physical space to invite more individuals to collectively feel the heat. "It's the only place in London I can think of where I just strike up a conversation with a complete stranger," said Charlie Duckworth, one of the directors at Community Sauna Baths. It's "bizarre" for Duckworth to imagine this level of intimacy possible at a fitness class, where people typically rush in and out of the studio. Here, strangers sit on rows of wooden benches, no phones, sweating together. "It's the intersection of community and recovery," said Evan Galante, co-founder of LÖ-LU Nordic Sauna in Nashville, Tennessee. When he works the front desk, he says he has "no idea" what conversations are happening inside the chamber but loves to hear business partners, parents, neighbors and friends streaming out mid-conversation. And this formula is working: Community Sauna started in late 2021 and now sees about 400 visitors per day on a weekend, and 2,500 per week and has six locations with a seventh opening later this summer. Galante said LÖ-LU was born out of a "few friends" meeting in his backyard that is now a 40-person sauna, a 20-person cold tub, a relaxing lounge area, a coffee shop, an outdoor courtyard, and more. Importantly, sauna is nothing new, said Emma O'Kelly, author of "Sauna: The Power of Deep Heat." "It seems like it's everywhere now," said O'Kelly. These spaces replicate a Finnish sauna model, which dates back thousands of years, she said. Jumping between extremes I would describe myself as "not a heavy sweater," but the lemongrass-infused steam did me in. Dripping, I made my way back to the showers (this rinse keeps salty sweat out of the fresh baths) and then to an array of cold plunges, varying between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. With as much gumption as I could muster, I stepped into the cold water. I felt my neck constrict and shoulders seize to my ears. The trick was to have a buddy. My friend, the birthday girl, and I counted "1,2,3" and submerged. I immediately proclaimed "Nope!" and jumped out, but contrasting hot with cold is an important tool for sauna practice, Galante later explained to me. In order to work our bodies out of "fight or flight," the cold aids regulation. Drawing deep belly inhales and exhales helps the parasympathetic nervous system tell our bodies not to panic, he said. "You have that initial shock, but long term, it's actually calming you down." "It almost forces you into a meditation," said Myles Farmer, co-founder of The Othership, "a new age bath house" with locations in Canada and the U.S. "Before this ... I couldn't meditate. It has changed my whole attitude and my happiness has gone up ... I can't see it being not part of my life at this point." This hot-to-cold routine has major benefits, Famer said, from reduced risk of dementia to increased brain efficiency. 'In the sauna, inhibitions are lowered' At the phone-free sauna, I thought about how many times I would have checked social media had the party been at a bar. Instead, my friends and I laughed and spoke candidly. Achieving satisfying levels of connection is a common reason people return to saunas, Farmer said. Duckworth recalled this "delirious" feeling of intoxicating bliss after an 8-hour day of sweating with strangers last month at The Saunaverse, the UK's first sauna festival, hosted by Community Sauna Baths. "In the sauna, inhibitions are lowered similarly to drinking," he said. These social saunas offer a gamut of sessions to find friends and fun, from sauna for diverse identities to DJ Fridays (LÖ-LU is even hosting a wedding party in coming weeks). "We've been in the [saunas] on a Friday or Saturday night and the energy is quite akin to a local dive bar," Galante said. "People are laughing, it's loud, music is playing." However, traditionalists might reject sauna going mainstream, said O'Kelly, including the requirement to wear swimwear instead of going nude (neoprene "mutes" the steam cleanse, she said). "If you mention this party stuff to Fins, they're horrified," said O'Kelly, adding it's important to take such events as an "entry point," but not to lose the "deep contemplative" elements the practice provides. Low spend, high personal reward This delirious-in-a-good-way-fun comes at a range of price points, too, attracting an array of customers at a time when many Americans want cost-effective recreation with high personal reward. For roughly $29.90 each, my group spent about half the money per person we would have at a typical restaurant birthday party. "It should be accessible to as many people as possible," said Duckworth. After dousing and dipping, it was time for one final rinse off. I left waving at the attendants who had aided us. I would definitely go back, maybe with more buffer time before to get my breath prepared. As I tucked into bed that night, I remembered something Duckworth told me: "You'll sleep like a baby after your first sauna." He was right. What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping it Together newsletter.
Euronews
13-03-2025
- Euronews
The hottest wellness trend in the UK? Communal sweating in saunas
By AP with Euronews Sauna-bathing has taken London and the rest of the UK by storm. But it's got a twist. ADVERTISEMENT It may be winter and there may be a biting chill in the air, but the dozen men and women who have packed this small sauna room in east London are happily sweating away in their swimwear. It's more than 90 degrees Celsius in here – and it's about to get even hotter. As ice blocks infused with lavender oil melt over sizzling hot stones, releasing fragrant steam, 'sauna master' Oliver Beryl turns on some ambient music and starts to vigorously wave a towel in a circular motion above his head to spread overpowering waves of dry heat around the room. 'Now try finding someone and sit back to back with them," Beryl suggests. 'Or, if you want, maintain eye contact with the person sitting next to you'. A brief hesitation, but most gamely oblige for a few minutes. Sauna-bathing has taken London and the rest of the United Kingdom by storm, particularly among trendy 20- and 30-somethings interested in trying a new pastime that's healthier than nights out in pubs and bars. Sweating it out in communal spaces for relaxation, physical or mental therapy, and socialising has long been a staple of many cultures around the world, from Scandinavia's saunas and Native American sweat lodges to Japan's onsens and Turkish baths. But the most popular saunas now are those that emphasise community and 'connectedness," or offer something novel alongside sitting in a heated box. Think sauna club nights featuring DJs, saunas combined with a poetry workshop, or 'aufguss' (meaning 'infusion' in German) rituals like the one hosted by Beryl – an intense session blending heat therapy, music, and scent. Many sites also offer open-air ice baths next to the saunas so people can cycle between hot and cold. 'It's exhilarating' 'I loved the feeling of losing yourself. It's a 15-minute detachment from normal life,' said Jess Carmichael as she emerged from her first 'aufguss' at Community Sauna Baths in Stratford, east London. She likened the exhilaration she felt to the experience of running into the freezing sea with hundreds of others on New Year's Day. 'I think people need this right now – this warmth coming from the outside and feeling that you're sharing an experience with others,' she added. Charlie Duckworth, a co-founder of Community Sauna Baths, said it all started in 2022 when he and fellow 'sauna nutters' installed two small saunas, including one in a horse box, in a disused parking lot in the trendy neighborhood of Hackney. The not-for-profit social enterprise proved so popular that it has since expanded to four sites across the capital, with two more opening soon. ADVERTISEMENT A large part of the appeal for many fans is that saunas serve as "a place of communion,' much like a pub or a church, Duckworth said. 'Sauna lowers inhibitions and also gives you a feeling of mild euphoria," not unlike the effects of social drinking, he said. 'I think it's an excellent place to socialise'. Around the UK, the number of public sauna sites has jumped from 45 in 2023 to 147 so far this year, according to the British Sauna Society. 'Have a bit more fun with it' Compared to countries where the practice is steeped in tradition, one benefit of the UK's sauna culture being so new is that providers can "have a bit more fun with it and be more creative,' Duckworth said. ADVERTISEMENT At Peckham Sauna Social in south London, weekends feature relaxed ambient sauna nights with resident DJs and a non-alcoholic cocktail bar. One of its most popular monthly sessions is the 'creative writing sauna,' a short poetry reading followed by a chai tea and writing workshop afterward in the lounge. 'Reading in the sauna was something I'd never done before – just being hot and sweaty and dripping onto the page was challenging at first,' said Caroline Druitt, a writer who leads the workshops. Something about sharing a chat with other semi-clothed strangers in the sauna seemed to encourage participants to be more open about sharing their ideas and writings, Druitt said. 'Besides, I know that many of my best ideas have come out of the bath,' she added. ADVERTISEMENT Reported health benefits Besides reducing stress and getting ideas flowing, some swear by saunas and cold plunges for soothing joint inflammation and improving heart health and sleep. Some studies go further, with one suggesting a link between going to the sauna at least four times a week and a reduction in the risk of psychosis among middle-aged Finnish men. 'Authentic sauna done well should be as regular as the gym, and doing it regularly is what offers the reported health benefits,' said Gabrielle Reason, secretary at the British Sauna Society. While those health benefits aren't yet well established – and those with high blood pressure or heart conditions should check with their doctors before going to a sauna and ice bath – many converts return regularly for the mood boost. ADVERTISEMENT 'It just resets your brain in a really lovely way,' said Callum Heinrich, submerged in a barrel of frigid water, his skin still steaming from the sauna. He says he attends twice a week when he can. 'For your mental health, it is the best thing in the world'.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Communal sweating in saunas is the hottest wellness trend taking over the UK
LONDON (AP) — It may be winter and there may be a biting chill in the air, but the dozen men and women who have packed this small sauna room in east London are happily sweating away in their swimwear. It's more than 90 degrees Celcius (194 Fahrenheit) in here — and it's about to get even hotter. As ice blocks infused with lavender oil melt over sizzling hot stones, releasing fragrant steam, 'sauna master' Oliver Beryl turns on some ambient music and starts to vigorously wave a towel in a circular motion above his head to spread overpowering waves of dry heat around the room. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'Now try finding someone and sit back to back with them," Beryl suggests. 'Or, if you want, maintain eye contact with the person sitting next to you.' A brief hesitation, but most gamely oblige for a few minutes. Sauna-bathing has taken London and the rest of the U.K. by storm, particularly among trendy 20- and 30-somethings interested in trying a new pastime that's healthier than nights out in pubs and bars. Sweating it out in communal spaces for relaxation, physical or mental therapy and socializing has long been a staple of many cultures around the world, from Scandinavia's saunas and Native American sweat lodges to Japan's onsens and Turkish baths. But the most popular saunas now are those that emphasize community and 'connectedness," or offer something novel alongside sitting in a heated box. Think sauna club nights featuring DJs, saunas combined with a poetry workshop, or 'aufguss' (meaning 'infusion' in German) rituals like the one hosted by Beryl — an intense session blending heat therapy, music and scent. Many sites also offer open-air ice baths next to the saunas so people can cycle between hot and cold. 'It's exhilarating' 'I loved the feeling of losing yourself. It's a 15-minute detachment from normal life," said Jess Carmichael as she emerged from her first 'aufguss' at Community Sauna Baths in Stratford, east London. She likened the exhilaration she felt to the experience of running into the freezing sea with hundreds of others on New Year's Day. 'I think people need this right now — this warmth coming from the outside and feeling that you're sharing an experience with others,' she added. Charlie Duckworth, a co-founder of Community Sauna Baths, said it all started in 2022 when he and fellow 'sauna nutters' installed two small saunas — including one in a horse box — in a disused parking lot in the trendy neighborhood of Hackney. The not-for-profit social enterprise proved so popular that it has since expanded to four sites across the capital, with two more opening soon. A large part of the appeal for many fans is that saunas serve as "a place of communion,' much like a pub or a church, Duckworth said. 'Sauna lowers inhibitions and also gives you a feeling of mild euphoria," not unlike the effects of social drinking, he said. 'I think it's an excellent place to socialize.' Around the U.K., the number of public sauna sites has jumped from 45 in 2023 to 147 so far this year, according to the British Sauna Society. 'Have a bit more fun with it' Compared to countries where the practice is steeped in tradition, one benefit of the U.K.'s sauna culture being so new is that providers can "have a bit more fun with it and be more creative,' Duckworth said. At Peckham Sauna Social in south London, weekends feature relaxed ambient sauna nights with resident DJs and a non-alcoholic cocktail bar. One of its most popular monthly sessions is the 'creative writing sauna": a short poetry reading followed by a chai tea and writing workshop afterward in the lounge. 'Reading in the sauna was something I'd never done before — just being hot and sweaty and dripping onto the page was challenging at first,' said Caroline Druitt, a writer who leads the workshops. Something about sharing a chat with other semi-clothed strangers in the sauna seemed to encourage participants to be more open about sharing their ideas and writings, Druitt said. 'Besides, I know that many of my best ideas have come out of the bath,' she added. Reported health benefits Besides reducing stress and getting ideas flowing, some swear by saunas and cold plunges for soothing joint inflammation and improving heart health and sleep. Some studies go further, with one suggesting a link between going to the sauna at least four times a week and a reduction in the risk of psychosis among middle-aged Finnish men. 'Authentic sauna done well should be as regular as the gym, and doing it regularly is what offers the reported health benefits,' said Gabrielle Reason, secretary at the British Sauna Society. While those health benefits aren't yet well established — and those with high blood pressure or heart conditions should check with their doctors before going to a sauna and ice bath — many converts return regularly for the mood boost. 'It just resets your brain in a really lovely way,' said Callum Heinrich, submerged in a barrel of frigid water, his skin still steaming from the sauna. He says he attends twice a week when he can. 'For your mental health, it is the best thing in the world.'
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Communal sweating in saunas is the hottest wellness trend taking over the UK
It may be winter and there may be a biting chill in the air, but the dozen men and women who have packed this small sauna room in east London are happily sweating away in their swimwear. It's more than 90 degrees Celcius (194 Fahrenheit) in here — and it's about to get even hotter. As ice blocks infused with lavender oil melt over sizzling hot stones, releasing fragrant steam, 'sauna master' Oliver Beryl turns on some ambient music and starts to vigorously wave a towel in a circular motion above his head to spread overpowering waves of dry heat around the room. 'Now try finding someone and sit back to back with them," Beryl suggests. 'Or, if you want, maintain eye contact with the person sitting next to you.' A brief hesitation, but most gamely oblige for a few minutes. Sauna-bathing has taken London and the rest of the U.K. by storm, particularly among trendy 20- and 30-somethings interested in trying a new pastime that's healthier than nights out in pubs and bars. Sweating it out in communal spaces for relaxation, physical or mental therapy and socializing has long been a staple of many cultures around the world, from Scandinavia's saunas and Native American sweat lodges to Japan's onsens and Turkish baths. But the most popular saunas now are those that emphasize community and 'connectedness," or offer something novel alongside sitting in a heated box. Think sauna club nights featuring DJs, saunas combined with a poetry workshop, or 'aufguss' (meaning 'infusion' in German) rituals like the one hosted by Beryl — an intense session blending heat therapy, music and scent. Many sites also offer open-air ice baths next to the saunas so people can cycle between hot and cold. 'It's exhilarating' 'I loved the feeling of losing yourself. It's a 15-minute detachment from normal life," said Jess Carmichael as she emerged from her first 'aufguss' at Community Sauna Baths in Stratford, east London. She likened the exhilaration she felt to the experience of running into the freezing sea with hundreds of others on New Year's Day. 'I think people need this right now — this warmth coming from the outside and feeling that you're sharing an experience with others,' she added. Charlie Duckworth, a co-founder of Community Sauna Baths, said it all started in 2022 when he and fellow 'sauna nutters' installed two small saunas — including one in a horse box — in a disused parking lot in the trendy neighborhood of Hackney. The not-for-profit social enterprise proved so popular that it has since expanded to four sites across the capital, with two more opening soon. A large part of the appeal for many fans is that saunas serve as "a place of communion,' much like a pub or a church, Duckworth said. 'Sauna lowers inhibitions and also gives you a feeling of mild euphoria," not unlike the effects of social drinking, he said. 'I think it's an excellent place to socialize.' Around the U.K., the number of public sauna sites has jumped from 45 in 2023 to 147 so far this year, according to the British Sauna Society. 'Have a bit more fun with it' Compared to countries where the practice is steeped in tradition, one benefit of the U.K.'s sauna culture being so new is that providers can "have a bit more fun with it and be more creative,' Duckworth said. At Peckham Sauna Social in south London, weekends feature relaxed ambient sauna nights with resident DJs and a non-alcoholic cocktail bar. One of its most popular monthly sessions is the 'creative writing sauna": a short poetry reading followed by a chai tea and writing workshop afterward in the lounge. 'Reading in the sauna was something I'd never done before — just being hot and sweaty and dripping onto the page was challenging at first,' said Caroline Druitt, a writer who leads the workshops. Something about sharing a chat with other semi-clothed strangers in the sauna seemed to encourage participants to be more open about sharing their ideas and writings, Druitt said. 'Besides, I know that many of my best ideas have come out of the bath,' she added. Reported health benefits Besides reducing stress and getting ideas flowing, some swear by saunas and cold plunges for soothing joint inflammation and improving heart health and sleep. Some studies go further, with one suggesting a link between going to the sauna at least four times a week and a reduction in the risk of psychosis among middle-aged Finnish men. 'Authentic sauna done well should be as regular as the gym, and doing it regularly is what offers the reported health benefits,' said Gabrielle Reason, secretary at the British Sauna Society. While those health benefits aren't yet well established — and those with high blood pressure or heart conditions should check with their doctors before going to a sauna and ice bath — many converts return regularly for the mood boost. 'It just resets your brain in a really lovely way,' said Callum Heinrich, submerged in a barrel of frigid water, his skin still steaming from the sauna. He says he attends twice a week when he can. 'For your mental health, it is the best thing in the world.'
