HISTORY
The exact origin of the sauna have been lost in the mists of time, but it a virtual certainty that its history goes back at least 1000 years. Nomadic peoples of Finland used a primitive type that was made by building a fire inside a tentlike structure. When the heat built up and the fire had gone out, people would enter the sauna to bathe. This was very similar to the sweat lodges used by American Indians.
These first types evolved into the smoke sauna -- a small building with a stone fireplace inside. There was a hole in the roof that let out the smoke, and the fire had to die down before the building could be entered. This type of sauna was commonly used up until the 1920s when it started to be replaced by more modern versions that we know today. However, the smoke type has enjoyed a recent revival in Finland. Many people consider them to be a great cleansing experience.
By the 1930s, a new type of sauna stove was introduced that allowed the rocks to be heated without being placed directly over the flames of the fire. This meant that the fire could burn while the sauna was being used. The earliest stoves of this type used wood as a fuel, and later models used electricity.
TYPES
Saunas are built in many styles and shapes. They can be constructed as separate buildings or installed in a house or apartment. Traditional saunas are made of wood and are beautiful as well as functional. They can be heated with an electric or wood stove. Wood stoves are common in rural areas while electric heaters are used more in urban settings. The sauna provides a dry heat between 70°C and 100°C. From time to time water is thrown on the rocks, creating a cloud of steam that immediately raises the temperature of the room.
The worldwide popularity of this ancient form of bath has spurred innovative new designs. One of the most unusual of these are the portable, folding models that can be used almost anywhere. They are one-person units with a head hole and arm slits that allow the user to read or talk on the phone.
Another unusual design is the barrel type. This is a small cabin constructed using barrel making techniques and can hold six to eight people. These can be installed either inside or outside the house with wood or electric heat.
Infrared saunas have been used since the 1960s. As the name suggests, the heat source is an infrared heater. Unlike traditional heaters that heat the air, infrared heaters heat objects and people. Infrared is a type of light, and proponents of infrared models claim the health benefits are superior to traditional types.
MATERIALS
Almost every type of sauna is made of wood. The walls, ceilings, floors and benches are all made from wood such as cedar or hemlock. The stove and rocks are usually the only non-wood materials.
by Mike Hirn
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The Infrared Sauna Heater A Hot Way To Health | All about Infrared Saunas | TYPES OF SAUNAS | Infrared Vs. High Heat | What is an infrared sauna? | The Infrared Sauna Kit | The Infrared Sauna Story
