Ask any Finnish person the secret to health and happiness and they will probably mention the sauna. A Scandinavian tradition that is now popular all over the world, sauna culture, whether in homes or public places, involves much more than simply bathing. In a sauna, people cleanse their bodies and minds, embracing a sense of inner peace. Traditionally, the sauna has been considered a sacred space to rejuvenate and reset. Saunas come in many forms but are basically cozy wood-lined buildings or rooms heated by wood, electricity or infrared.
Said to aid in metabolism, weight loss, pain reduction, skin rejuvenation and mood—as well as improve immune function, sleep, stress management and relaxation—the sauna may not be the only reason that Finland has repeatedly ranked first in the UN’s World Happiness Report, but it is certainly a factor worth exploring.
In addition to the heat, punctuating the sauna sessions with cold plunges is a great way to help your lymphatic system work more efficiently. Popularized by modern health guru, Wim Hoff, the cold plunge has become the new celery juice. It hurts, but there is almost nothing it can’t cure. Called “the method” by Hoff enthusiasts, the cold plunge lifestyle has 3 pillars: commitment, breathing and cold therapy. There is a very dedicated group of plungers that I have joined when the spirit moves me that gather to breathe and submerge every Saturday, all year, in Eben G Fine in West Boulder.
Three minutes in Boulder Creek can feel like an eternity, but when you read the list of benefits it all feels worth it.
Putting sauna and cold plunge together basically makes you superhuman. Or at least puts you in a really good mood.
If you are ready to commit, there are many local, custom sauna builders. Kaleb from Suomi Saunas offers a sauna questionnaire on their website that helps a client hone in on build and budget. If custom is overwhelming, there are a lot of cool pre-fab options including Nootka barrel-style saunas that allow you to select dimensions and whether you want electric or wood-fired heating. If you want a simpler version of all of it, Higher Dose offers an infrared sauna blanket that packs up like a yoga mat and can travel with you.
If you don’t have access to a home sauna or want to explore the community through sauna time, there are several wonderful options including having one come to you. Bathe Sauna does sauna pop-ups and will even come to your house, complete with cold plunge and sauna hats you can borrow.
Portal Themaculture, founded by friends Rory MacMurdo and Will Dresher, recently opened in Boulder bringing a beautifully designed pair of saunas paired with a chill resting space. They offer drop-in, or a variety of different membership options. These two met through a sauna club in Minnesota and wanted to share the many benefits with more people. In addition to the Boulder location (originally planned as a 3-month pop-up but now working on plans for a permanent stay), the duo is also planning on bringing the concept to ski towns around Colorado. Sessions at Portal are generally one hour and Dresher recommends three 15-minute sauna sessions (these babies are hot! Both over 200 degrees Fahrenheit) with 2-3 minutes in their custom-designed cold plunge pools in between. Come for the heat, stay for the tunes. Macmurdo comes from a music background and the whole place is designed to feel like a Khruangbin album. Leave feeling smooth, vibrant and spacious inside.
For more information or booking contact: PortalThermaculture.com
Wim Hoff meetup: Meetup.com/Wim-Hof-Breathing-and-Cold-Water-Immersion-Denver-Boulder/Events/