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The earliest known saunas were primarily just pits. These were dug on elevated ground. They were used as a place of abode in the winter. The sauna comprised of a chimney. Then the stones were heated. Water was thrown on top of the heated stones to produce vapor. The temperature increased to such a level that that people could remove their clothing.
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It is a ancient Finnish word. It refers to the Finnish traditional bath and to the bathhouse.When the Industrial revolution came, the sauna used a metal wood stove with a chimney. Temperatures in the air averaged around 80-70 degrees Celsius.
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When water splashes on hot rocks it creates steam vapor known as Loyly.It can also refer to the following. - Heat, moisture and the temperature in the sauna in general
- The spirit in the sauna, which impregnates your heart after the launching of water on the stones.
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The Finns also had the practice of vihta or the vasta. A bunch of birch twigs that have fresh leaves is gathered. Then this is slapped on the skin gently to create more stimulation of the cells and pores.
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Now this concept sounds darn crazy right? Well while the rest of Europe seldom bathed or never bathed, the Finns cleaned themselves in Saunas once a week at the very least. The first thing people did when they moved was build a Sauna. - You could live in it
- You could make food in the oven
- Take care of personal hygiene
- Give birth in an almost sterile environment
How is this possible?This was possible because the smoke contained tannic acid, an anti-bacterial polymer. For many centuries the sauna was built separately to one's home, largely because of the risk of fire.
The sauna is and was a big part of everyday life. The families bathed all together in the sauna at the house. The sauna was in the beginning supposed to be a mystical place of nature where differences sexes did not exist.
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The sauna culture today is related to the Finnish culture. The development of the sauna occurred about the same time in Finland as well as the Baltic countries. They shared the same philosophies about the importance of the sauna in their daily life. They still share the same sauna customs to the present day. The Finnish immigrated to other places taking their traditions as well their sauna designs with them. As other cultures sat up and took notice the sauna evolved.
The evolution included the electric furnace of the sauna, which appeared in the Fifties along with infrared saunas.
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