 So - what is löyly and where does the word come from?
The etymology of the word "löyly" is linked to Old Finnish and Finno-Ugric roots. In Finnish, the verb "löylyttää" means to throw water on the hot stones to produce steam. The concept of löyly goes beyond just the physical act of creating steam; it embodies the entire sensory experience of sauna bathing, including the heat, the steam, and the atmosphere within the sauna. Why is löyly important to an authentic Finnish sauna experience?As a Finn, I (Juho) was raised to understand löyly as critical to sauna and holding a similar meaning to spirit, life or a "really good vibe." The word has no English-language equivalent. Quite often, after I have gotten out of the sauna, friends or family in Finland will ask "How was the löyly?" or "Was the löyly any good today?" I describe "optimal löyly" as that which lowers down on you softly from above and surrounds your body in a smooth but intense embrace of heat. Not-so-nice löyly hits you hard from the front to back and can make you wince. Also, you can actually be in a sauna with what you might normally describe as a poor löyly, however if you are perhaps with a friend you haven't seen in a long time, the löyly can still be described as "amazing!" So, for me, löyly is not just the steam but the OVERALL SAUNA EXPERIENCE. Everyone has a different answer to what löyly they like and resonate with! For every human personality, there is a löyly personality to match. More than a physical sensation, löyly can embody a spiritual and communal ritual. It contributes not only to sensory delight, creating a warm atmosphere that can be both invigorating and calming at the same time. Löyly is a cleansing experience - for the body and also an opportunity for mental, emotional and even spiritual clarity and renewal. In communal saunas, the act of throwing water on stones becomes a shared, bonding experience, fostering social connections and conversations. The quality of löyly reflects the sauna host's hospitality and is a point of pride (at Kamu Sauna, we take this hospitality seriously!). As a cultural cornerstone, löyly preserves Finnish identity, connecting individuals to a deep-rooted heritage and making it an indispensable part of the broader sauna tradition. We Finns are so happy to share this tradition with the world! Everyone has a different answer to what löyly they like and resonate with! For every human personality, there is a löyly personality to match. Some tips to create optimal löyly:
We feel there's a löyly for everyone and that sauna is a global experience! We will leave you with some final questions: Where have you experienced optimal löyly? and How is löyly good to you?! Feel free to comment below.
0 Comments
 We love talking sauna, and we love listening in on others talking about sauna too! We've done a round-up of our FAVORITE sauna podcast episodes, to date, talking about sauna and the captivating stories within. Please comment below if there's other episodes you think we should review or check out.
10. Stuff You Should Know - Saunas: More Interesting Than You Think! (2009): Listen here. This is a basic "what are saunas" episode for all sorts of beginners. A great start and entertaining listen! 9. FoundMyFitness - Sauna Use and Building Resilience to Stress with Dr. Rhonda Patrick, PhD (2015): Listen here. Here's the old school podcast of Dr. Rhonda Patrick where she lays down all the science of sauna and its effects on essentially elongating your life and supporting brain health. 8. Kivia: The Spirit of Sauna - International Movie Star, Environmentalist and Sauna Enthusiast, Jasper Pääkkönen (2021): Listen here. We love Jasper Pääkkönen's work and what he's done to bring authentic sauna tourism to the masses. Jasper recently opened Löyly Helsinki, which is architecturally stunning in Helsinki, Finland. 7. Huberman Lab - Dr. Susanna Søberg: How to Use Cold & Heat Exposure to Improve Your Health (2023): See/listen here on YouTube. Here, Dr. Susanna Søberg discusses how deliberate hot and cold therapy is essentially the elixir to an incredible human existence! We joke, no really - Dr. Søberg's work provides the science to what Finns have known for generations - hot + cold = health + happiness. 6. The Sauna Twins Podcast by Finnmark Sauna - Mika Meskanen (British Sauna Society) (2020): Listen here. We had to put an episode from The Sauna Twins on here. They have some great episodes and we really enjoyed this conversation they had with Mike Meskanen where they talk about sauna culture and World Sauna Day. 5. Huberman Lab - The Science & Health Benefits of Deliberate Heat Exposure (2022): See/listen here on YouTube. Huberman discusses the science behind ALL the health benefits of sauna and heat exposure. We don't always pay too much attention to the rigidity of sauna protocol however, love the deep dive into the various studies and body physiology as it relates to sauna benefits. 4. Sauna Talk - Jarmo Hiltunen (2023): Listen here. Our hearts are in a smoke sauna! We are so happen that Glenn with Sauna Talk brought Jarmo on to talk about all things smoke sauna. Have you gotten Jarmo's book yet on "How to build a Finnish Smoke Sauna?" We sure have, and we love it. Perhaps we should do a book review soon! 3. Nordic Animism: Dalva Lamminmäki (2023): See/listen here on YouTube. Dalva is a friend and PhD scholar on Finnish folklore and traditional Finnish sauna practices. Still residing in Finland and deep into her studies and work, we love seeing her wealth of knowledge and life's work being shared more broadly. 2. Kivia: The Spirit of Sauna - Sauna w. Mikkel Aaland, Global Sweat Bathing Authority, Author & Artist (2022): Listen here. Mikkel Aaland is such a joy to listen to here. He talks about his travels experiencing and studying sweat bathing practices from around the world. 1. Kivia: The Spirit of Sauna - What Makes a Sauna? (2021): Find here. "Focus on the experience and the rest will fall into place!" We love this episode from Alan Jalasjaa with Kivia Sauna about what actually makes an authentic Finnish Sauna. He dispels myths and talks about what has made a Sauna truly authentically Finnish. So simple and easy. Thanks for sharing, Alan. We think we have a comprehensive list here that covers everything from science, a little history and some more of the diverse cultural aspects of sauna usage, offering valuable insights and expert advice. Whether you're a seasoned sauna enthusiast or a newcomer, these podcasts serve as an informative and enjoyable resource, enriching your sauna journey. As noted above, comment below on some of your favorite sauna podcast episodes out there! 
1. Happy Hormones Unleashed: Saunas aren't just about feeling warm and fuzzy; they're about bathing in happiness. Scientifically speaking, time spent in a sauna triggers a release of endorphins - those enchanting "feel-good" hormones that elevate your mood. Mikkelsen et al. (2017) found that indulging in a sauna session is your direct ticket to feeling happier, diminishing symptoms of stress and anxiety.
2. Heat Therapy is your Stress-relief Buddy: Picture stress as a pesky opponent, and heat therapy is your trusty sidekick. According to research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Teixeira et al., 2015), saunas help to ease cortisol (the stress hormone), allowing you to feel more calm and content. 3. Improved Sleep Quality: Quality sleep is closely linked to overall happiness and stress resilience. Saunas, as reported by Leppäluoto et al. (2015), can positively influence sleep patterns, contributing to better sleep quality. As we all know, a good night's sleep is definitely a membership to the Happiness Club and a cornerstone for emotional well-being and stress management. 4. Enhanced Relaxation Response: Sauna time is relaxation time. Sauna bathing induces a deep state of relaxation, promoting the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. This relaxation response is crucial for reducing stress and promoting a calm, content state of mind. The Journal of Human Kinetics (Hannuksela and Ellahham, 2001) underscores the importance of the parasympathetic response in mitigating stress. Saunas aren't just warm rooms with hot rocks! the scientific benefits of sauna bathing extend beyond physical relaxation to encompass mental well-being. By promoting the release of endorphins, reducing stress hormones, improving sleep quality, and enhancing the relaxation response, saunas offer a comprehensive approach to cultivating happiness and resilience in the face of life's challenges. So, the next time you step into a sauna, know that you're not just pampering yourself; you're scientifically boosting your happiness and reducing stress. Sources:
|
Becky + Juho PelkonenSauna entrepreneurs, sweat-bathing science students + lovers of Finnish culture. ArchivesCategories |
RSS Feed
|
COMMUNITY NEWS SIGN-UP
|
|
|
We would like to acknowledge the Ktunaxa People, whose unceded ancestral Lands we reside and work within. We deeply value the opportunity to learn, share and grow within ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa. Further, we acknowledge, support and will continue to work towards our own responsibility and collective accountability regarding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
|
Kamu Sauna Experiences are LGBTQ2+ friendly and inclusive.
|
|
© KAMU SAUNA LTD., 2024
|