Sauna Reflections
This monthly newsletter is dedicated to my Brother Brad and Sister Carrie. They both sat bedside with my Mom for her last breaths recently. She was 91 years old, and lived a colorful, inspirational, full life.
Kimmo summarizes sauna as 3 components, a holy trinity. And since her passing, reflections on the bench for us include:
Heat: Family. Consistent, ever present, everywhere. Warm love.
Steam: Friends. Waves of joy. Will come and go.
Ventilation: You. Your breath, consciousness. And how you interact with above.
Sauna Tourism
My Mom’s last words to me were: “you have to go” and it was likely double meaning. As hard as it is to take, we all have an expiration date. We all have to go. And also, the context was whether to go on my Euro trip or cancel to be with her. Like a heavy wave of löyly, I soldiered on.
UK and Norway are two exciting places in the world of sauna. Whether or not sauna tourism is in your future, I am pleased to offer you my travelogue here.
Sauna Days
Close to 200 thermal enthusiasts converged in Northern Minnesota this past month for three days of peace, heat, and cold plunging during the 4th Sauna Days at Larsmont Cottages. 13 saunas along the world’s largest freshwater lake (by surface area). Let’s check in with some of the sauna tourism attendees here.
Sauna Talk: Jake Newport
On the Larsmont Cottages brick and mortar sauna bench, we sit with Jake Newport from Finnmark Sauna. Let’s check in on how the Great Britain sauna scene is full of collaboration and shared endorphins between rounds here.
Sauna Talk: Homecraft Saunas
Have you ever met an impolite Canadian? On the ice in overtime: maybe. However, on the bench with the father and sons of this emerging family owned electric sauna heater manufacturer from British Columbia: no chance. Let’s visit with Stew and his sons David and Kyle Wilson here:
Mikkel Aaland
My Sauna travel journey took me to Olefos, Norway. Here I got some invaluable one on one time with my long time friend and mentor Mikkel Aaland. His documentary series Perfect Sweat is now available for viewing, and you can use coupon code: PSST2024 to access this 7 episode exploration of the world of saunas. We also discussed Sauna Aid, and lämpömassa enhancements of “Mikkel Mass” for our hot rooms. More here.
Sauna Help Wanted
I’d love to connect with someone to help shore up SaunaTimes within the social medias. It could be a fun side gig for someone who knows how to like and tag and share some of the increasing goodness that I just don’t have bandwidth to tackle. Interested or know someone who may be a fit? Please reply to this newsletter.
Next month
We’re getting on to the heat of summer, and we will be sharing several cool podcasts with a collection of wonderful guests. The Sauna Talk podcast is approaching its 100th episode! Who would you like to see on Sauna Talk? Rick Rubin is on my short list. If anyone you know is connected with him, please help ambassador!
Sending hugs to you and your family. Yes, Rita had a colorful and inspirational life and you three carry on her tradition. And if you snag Rick Rubin make sure he saunas at Lake Vermilion.