Latest news with #OliverBeryl
South China Morning Post
17-03-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Public sauna reinvented in UK with DJs, poetry. ‘The best' for mental health, one fan says
It may be winter and there may be a biting chill in the air, but the dozen men and women who have packed a small sauna room in East London are happily sweating away in their swimwear. Advertisement It is more than 90 degrees Celsius (194 degrees Fahrenheit) inside – and it is 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. Visitors enjoy their sauna session at the Community Sauna Baths in Hackney, London. Photo: AP Sauna bathing has taken London and the rest of the UK by storm, particularly among trendy twenty- and thirtysomethings interested in trying a new pastime that is healthier than nights out in pubs and bars.
South China Morning Post
17-03-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Public sauna reinvented in UK with DJs, poetry. ‘The best' for mental health, one fan says
It may be winter and there may be a biting chill in the air, but the dozen men and women who have packed a small sauna room in East London are happily sweating away in their swimwear. Advertisement It is more than 90 degrees Celsius (194 degrees Fahrenheit) inside – and it is 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. Visitors enjoy their sauna session at the Community Sauna Baths in Hackney, London. Photo: AP Sauna bathing has taken London and the rest of the UK by storm, particularly among trendy twenty- and thirtysomethings interested in trying a new pastime that is healthier than nights out in pubs and bars.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
HEATING UP: Gen Z, millennials ditching bars for sauna hangouts
Sweat is the best bet for many Gen Z and millennials, who are ditching the bars in favour of saunas and other communal health-centric hangouts. Communal spaces for relaxation, physical and mental therapy, and socialization have been staples in many cultures around the world, including Scandinavia's saunas, Indigenous sweat lodges, Japan's onsens and Turkish baths. The steam is rising elsewhere these days, the New York Post reported. 'Now try finding someone and sit back-to-back with them,' sauna-master Oliver Beryl suggested from a small sauna room in east London where a dozen men and women recently congregated in 90C conditions, as lavender-infused ice blocks melted over hot stones. 'Or, if you want, maintain eye contact with the person sitting next to you.' Sauna-bathing has taken London and elsewhere in the U.K. by storm, fashionable among trendy 20- to 30-somethings more keen on health than getting wasted at the bar or pub. Among the more popular saunas offered are those emphasizing community and 'connectedness,' or something a bit more unique. 'I loved the feeling of losing yourself. It's a 15-minute detachment from normal life,' said Jess Carmichael, per the Post, while emerging from her first 'aufguss' at Community Sauna Baths in Stratford, east London. She said the exhilaration she felt was like 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. Community Sauna Baths co-founder Charlie Duckworth said the group started in 2022 when he and other 'sauna nutters' installed a pair of small saunas, including one in a horse box in a former parking lot. The not-for-profit's social experiment proved so popular that it has expanded to four sites across the capital. Two more are slated to open soon. A major part of the appeal for participants 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.' The British Sauna Society said the number of public sauna sites has jumped from 45 in 2023 to 147 this year. Unlike elsewhere where tradition plays a bigger role, the booming sauna culture in the U.K. has a clean slate of sorts, allowing providers to 'have a bit more fun with it and be more creative,' Duckworth said. At Peckham Sauna Social in south London, for instance, weekends feature relaxed ambient sauna nights with resident DJs and a non-alcoholic cocktail bar. Aside from reducing stress and igniting ideas, some swear by saunas and cold plunges for helping sooth joint inflammation and improving heart health and sleep. '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. Blood flow in legs may help predict heart disease: U of T study Toronto strikes out as a party town: Study
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.'
