The Spirit of Community Sauna: The Kamu Sauna ethos and what to expect on the bench

At Kamu Sauna, we practice sauna in the spirit of the traditions we’ve been taught. Sauna has deep cultural roots, particularly in Finland where it has long been part of everyday life. Because of this lineage of which we are a part, we feel a responsibility to host sauna with care and respect for the practices that have shaped it.

At the same time, sauna is remarkably universal. It is often described as life culture - something that can be practiced across generations, stages of life, and cultures. Babies and children experience sauna. Elders continue to sauna well into old age. Families, friends, neighbors, and strangers gather together.
Sauna belongs to everyone.

Practicing sauna well simply means paying attention to the rhythm of the space, the people around you, and the place you are in. Sauna is always rooted in its surroundings - the landscape outside the door, the water used for cooling, the wood that heats the stones, and the people gathered on the bench.

Here in the East Kootenays, most of the sauna experiences we host take place in ʔamak̓is Ktunaxa, the homeland of the Ktunaxa people. Practicing sauna here means being mindful of the land and the communities that gather around it - and of the many beings, seen and unseen, that share these places.

At times we also host sauna outside the region, and wherever we go, the same principle applies: sauna is always practiced in relationship - with the landscape, the waters, and the people who share the bench.

A Shared Orientation

Before entering the sauna, we always offer a short orientation.

Many people joining us are experiencing sauna culture for the first time, and part of good hosting is helping everyone feel comfortable moving through the space safely and respectfully, no matter where they are at in their sauna journey. In this orientation we share a few key aspects of sauna practice - the rhythm of heat and cooling, how to care for the shared space, and how we approach löyly.

For those who have joined us before, you may have heard this orientation more than once. And yet, something beautiful happens: the people who return help carry these teachings forward. They welcome newcomers, share the bench generously, and help create the atmosphere that makes community sauna work.

For that, we are deeply grateful.
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Community sauna only works when the people in the room help shape the experience together. The good news is that when everyone participates, the sauna tends to take care of the rest. People settle in, conversations unfold, and somewhere along the way it often becomes a lot of fun!

Löyly - “That’s the spirit.”

One of the most important ideas we share during our sauna orientation is löyly.

Löyly is a Finnish word that doesn’t translate neatly into English. It is often translated as steam, but that translation doesn’t quite capture what people mean when they use the word. You can read more here.

Steam is simply the physical byproduct of water touching hot stones. Löyly refers to the living atmosphere that fills the sauna when that happens. Becky often says, “Steam is the byproduct of life. Löyly is the creation of life itself.”

When water meets the stones and rises into the room, something shifts. The heat softens, the air moves, and the space begins to feel more alive. Many Finns describe this as the spirit of the sauna.

Juho often says, “To a Finn, a sauna without löyly is simply a hot room.”

While heat alone can offer physical benefits, we see wellbeing as part of a whole system - one that includes atmosphere, rhythm, and the experience shared between people. When the löyly is good, people naturally settle into that rhythm together.

Löyly brings vitality to the sauna - and often to the people in it as well.

What to Expect at a Community Sauna Session

If you are new to sauna, these items help you move comfortably through the traditional hot-cold-rest rhythm of sauna bathing. When you arrive at a Kamu Sauna session, you are stepping into a shared experience. Community sauna works best when everyone helps create the atmosphere together.

ARRIVING

Please plan to arrive on time. We begin each session with a short orientation, and arriving together helps everyone settle into the rhythm of the experience together.

If something unexpected happens and you are running late, please communicate with us as soon as possible. Integrity and consideration for others are important in community spaces, and the sauna works best when we respect each other’s time.

WHAT TO BRING

For your comfort, we recommend bringing:

• Two towels - one to sit on in the sauna and one for drying off
• A bathing suit, preferably under your clothing in advance
• Sandals or easy slip-on footwear
• A water bottle for hydration
• Warm layers for cooling off outside between sauna rounds
• A fuzzy robe if this is your vibe!

​We provide the heat, the fire, and the space. You bring your presence and willingness to share the experience with others.

MOVING THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE

Sauna follows a simple rhythm:

Hot. Cold. Rest. (Rehydrate). Repeat.

Between rounds, you may cool down outside, enjoy the fresh air, or simply sit and rest. Rest is non-negotiable. 🙂

Some people sit quietly. Some people laugh. Sometimes both happen within the same five minutes.
Listen to your body and move at your own pace. Some people take a few rounds, while others settle into the rhythm for the full session.

We’re always happy to help guide you on rounds and timing based on your comfort and experience. We also stay informed on the latest research around sauna and health and are happy to share what we know.
At the same time, you know your body best. If you have specific health questions, we encourage you to consult your healthcare practitioner. One of the great things about community sauna is that people naturally share what works best for their own bodies and we start to grow a collective knowledge.

Community sauna is built on small acts of care: making space on the bench, being mindful of the shared heat, and welcoming those who are new to the experience. The goal isn’t to get everything perfect - it’s simply to help everyone feel comfortable enough to enjoy the experience.

When everyone participates in shaping the atmosphere, the sauna becomes something so much more than a hot room - It becomes the foundation from which real relationships can grow.

​Our Core Principles for Community Sauna

Community sauna works because everyone participates in shaping the atmosphere. Over time, these simple practices have emerged as the way we care for the sauna and for one another.

1. Everyone Belongs on the Bench

The sauna bench is a place of equity. People may share their work, their stories, and their lives, but status stays outside. On the bench, everyone shares the same space.

Gossip and divisive talk are best left at the door. At times meaningful or difficult conversations can arise, but they are held with care and respect for everyone in the room.

2. Steward the Peace

The atmosphere of the sauna belongs to everyone in the room. Sauna is social, but that doesn’t mean loud - keep voices low and be mindful that conversations remain welcoming and inclusive of the group. 

Small acts of care - making space, speaking gently, and respecting quiet - help protect the peace of the sauna.

3. Offer Before You Receive

Community sauna thrives on reciprocity. Offer care to the space and the people around you before expecting anything in return - whether that means making room on the bench, welcoming someone new, or helping tend the atmosphere of the room.

4. Arrive with Integrity

Community sauna begins before you even step inside. Arriving on time — or clearly communicating if plans change — shows respect for the group and the shared experience.

5. Enter with Presence

When you step into the sauna, slow down. Leave distractions outside and allow yourself to settle into the rhythm of the space.

6. Respect the Löyly

Löyly is the living atmosphere of the sauna. When adding water to the rocks, do so thoughtfully and with awareness of those around you.

In community sauna, we pour with consent. It is good practice to ask before adding more heat. If someone isn’t ready for another round of löyly, they can step outside or move to the lower bench.

7. Share the Bench 

Make space when the room fills. Community sauna means everyone helps create a comfortable and welcoming environment.

Please don’t save spots or leave towels behind to hold a seat - the bench is shared.

8. Listen to Your Body 

Move through the rhythm of sauna - hot, cold, rest - in a way that feels right for you. Everyone’s experience is different.

9. Care for the Space

The sauna, the water, and the surrounding landscape are part of the experience. Treat them with respect. Sauna is a relational practice - with place, with the elements, and with each other.

10. Welcome and Share Knowledge

Many people are experiencing sauna culture for the first time. Help them feel at ease and share what you’ve learned along the way. Community sauna grows through shared knowledge - people exchange tips, traditions, and experiences that help everyone deepen their practice. We’re all here to learn from one another - and to listen.

Join Us on the Bench

Community sauna is something we practice together - through shared heat, cold water, and the simple rhythm of hot, cold, rest.

At Kamu Sauna, we host wood-fired community sauna sessions and mobile sauna experiences throughout the East Kootenays of British Columbia, creating welcoming spaces for people to gather and experience traditional sauna culture.

Whether you are stepping into sauna for the first time or have been practicing for years, community sauna offers a simple invitation: share the heat, respect the rhythm, and help shape the atmosphere of the room.

If you are curious to experience community sauna in the East Kootenays, explore upcoming sessions or mobile sauna bookings with Kamu Sauna.

Bring curiosity, a towel, and a willingness to share the heat. Everyone is welcome on the bench!

Learn about our Community Sauna offerings here.