For most people in Finland, it's not really Christmas without a sauna. That is especially true for Laura Foon, a traditional sauna healer and host.
For around five years, she has hosted sauna-related events for newcomers as well as those well acquainted with the Finnish tradition. Foon (pronounced fawn) also offers clients well-being services in the sauna's heat.
"I offer folk healing treatments, using massage and whisking — with different plants and different types of herbs," she told Yle News.
Foon hosts clients at her own sauna in the southern municipality of Sipoo but also travels to provide therapies, ceremonies and organises guided forest walks throughout the year. The rituals are inspired by folklore traditions.
But, to Foon, the very most important sauna event of the year is at Christmas, and she is not alone. An estimated 70-80 percent of Finns sweat it out at some point over the festive holiday period.
"Christmas sauna is the core of Finnish tradition, you know? Even people who don't regularly use the sauna do it at Christmas," she said.
The tradition has continued for centuries, as Christmas is considered a time for eating, relaxing and getting cleaned up.
According to Foon, Christmas sauna is all about the calming effect that the experience has on the rest of the holiday, and it should be taken during the day on Christmas Eve, after cooking, gift wrapping and cleaning chores are complete.
"You wash all that stress away in the sauna and then start the Christmas peace. It's always done in the morning or during the day at the latest, and always on Christmas Eve. That tradition has continued until these modern times," Foon said.
But is the tradition more spiritual or simply a way that people cleaned up for the holiday?
"It's both. Sauna has always been very, very practical. We live in the cold here, so having a place to sweat and recover has been important for practical bathing reasons, but it is also a ritual and carries an emotional weight," she explained.
The All Points North podcast looks at what's right and what's wrong with Finnish Christmas. Listen here:
Fingrid: Christmas saunas OK
Most of the residential saunas in Finland are heated with electric stoves but given the ongoing energy crisis, should people really be using their saunas this year?
According to Fingrid, the country's grid operator, they can.
"Unless there is no disruption in the electricity system, we won't begrudge anyone to take a Christmas sauna or to roast a Christmas ham," Marjaana Kivioja, Fingrid's communications chief, told Yle News.
Kivioja noted that a good deal of the country's industry shuts down over Christmas, so electricity demand will be lower than normal.
"We hope that Finnish Christmas can also be celebrated this year," she said, adding that if it's not windy outside, electricity prices might be high.
Fingrid's power system operations manager, Jonne Jäppinen said people can expect "normal" electricity prices over Christmas, "if nothing special happens."
Naked heat and whisks
Laura Foon also said sauna whisks are very commonly used during Christmas sessions, even by those who don't normally lash themselves with branches.
Sauna whisks, known as vihta or vasta in Finnish, are bundles of tree twigs and leaves used as a massage implement to increase blood circulation and clean the skin. After dipping the leafy branches into warm water, bathers lash themselves and others, bringing out summer aromas into the steamy room. Whisks can be made from various trees, including birch, oak, linden and even eucalyptus.
Studies have shown that regular sauna use has a broad range of health benefits, both physical and mental.
As a sauna educator, Foon has noticed that the experience can be a little intimidating, or even frightening, to the uninitiated.
"The idea of shutting yourself into a hot room, if you've never done it, can be scary. Also, of course many people are worried about the lack of clothing, so it is a bit of a scary concept for them," she explained.
"I always tell them they can wear swimsuits, if they want," Foon said.
Lack of humidity does not make for a pleasant sauna experience, according to Foon, who encouraged sauna-goers to make sure to splash a bit of water on the room's surfaces to keep the air from being too arid — particularly in electric-heated settings, which can become very uncomfortable.
It is also key to keep the sauna's humidity high with "löyly," or steam from water gently poured on the sauna stove's heated rocks. According to Foon, no one should be intimidated by löyly, either.
"Don't be afraid of the löyly, or steam, because it is the soul and spirit of the sauna. Don't be scared of pouring water on the rocks," she said.
The proper method for attaining ideal steam is to gently pour — not throw — scoops of water on the stove's hot stones, "so you can really experience it," Foon explained.
Newcomers to the sauna experience may want to start with a slightly lower temperature, like 75 degrees Celsius, rather than the normal 80 degrees, she added.
Another tip Foon offered was to try to experience the sauna in as relaxed a state as possible, even suggesting sauna-goers lie down on the bench, rather than sit.
"Finding a very relaxing position helps. And don't be afraid to close your eyes," she advised.
Also, if it gets too hot, sitting on a lower bench can make a big difference.
While the sauna has been known as a place for business and political negotiations in a daily setting, according to Foon, talking should be kept to a minimum during a Christmas sauna.
"Christmas sauna is usually very quiet, although talking is of course a very important part of sauna culture."
"It's not only physically, emotionally and spiritually healing, but it's also very healing socially," Foon explained.
"So you can talk, but Christmas saunas are meant to be silent," she said.
Foon said she was drawn to her sauna healing career because of the benefits the ritual has brought her, as well as the people around her. She also thinks the experience brings nature closer to people.
"It's a very beautiful thing to bring others to it."
"All the elements are very much present in a sauna — the heat, the fire, the air, the water, the basic elements within the human body, and nature, everywhere.You can harmonise with the elements," she said.
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