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ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION OF THE SAUNA BATH
The Sauna bath has its secular origins in the Baltic areas. Its initial objective
was to combat the consequences of the low temperatures suffered by the
inhabitants of the area, especially in winter. As time passed and there was
no longer such a strong need to be protected from the local climate due to
technological advances, the sauna was converted into a ritual or type of
family ceremony that was very effective in reaching the state of well-being
and physical and psychological relaxation necessary in any modern society.
Today, in the countries of this area, especially FINLAND and SWEDEN, the
sauna is considered an essential element of all activity whose goal is to
arrive at the state of physical well-being. Likewise, it is considered a
fundamental therapy for mental relaxation.
Given this, in these countries and in others with high levels of social
development, the use of saunas has expanded dramatically, reaching the
point that, in certain areas, a large number of homes are equipped with this
therapeutic element.
As we have seen, the objective of the sauna is relaxation and physical and
mental well-being. Although it has numerous positive effects on the body, its
principal effect is not weight loss, though is always aided if accompanied by
an appropriate low-calorie diet.
Effects of a sauna bath on the body:
Relaxing the nerves. Relaxation.
Dilation of respiratory branches. Oxygenation.
Peripheral vasodilation.Stimulating blood flow in the extremities.
Elevating the heart rate. Stimulating the circulatory system.
Removing toxin from the pores. Sweat glands.
Improving the elasticity of muscular tissue and joints.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SAUNA CONCEPT
At the beginning, the saunas was a simple caity made in the surface, into
whiche were placed stones previously heated in the fire to produce the heat.
Later, with technological advancements, people began to build saunas in little
wood huts, always outside. The heat was produced via a tradilional chimmey
within the sauna that, when heating the stones, expelled the smoke through a
direct output.
Nowadays, Finnish saunas have evolved with the technological advances
and have undergone important variations in construction, which are explained
in this manual.
Currently, Finnish saunas are "vertebrate" constructions with modular wooden
structures, insultaing material in the interior and covered in tongued and
grooved paneling. It is equipped with bunks or benches and the interior
accessories may be freatly vaired and sophisticated.
The essential element of a
sauna is the electrical
equipment that generates
the heat, warming the air
to very high temperatures
inside the sauna, while
maintainin a very low level
of humidity due to the
wood's absorption.
The sauna is built separate from the home or other building where it is
located. At the same time, the majority of saunas are interior, although they
may also be exterior.
Of course, the sauna generates completely dry heat, reducing the humidity in
the air while heating due to absorption. Because of this, it is erroneous to
accosiate suanas with steam, a phenomena that is unique to "STEAM
BATHS", whose effect and conception are essentially different.
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