What is löyly and why is it important to a Finnish Sauna experience?

So - what is löyly and where does the word come from?

"Löyly" is a Finnish word that refers to the steam that rises from hot stones in a sauna. It's an experience that happens when you essentially pour water on the rocks. The concept of löyly is deeply rooted in Finnish culture, and saunas hold significant cultural and social importance in Finland (and beyond!). It's not just about sweating it out – sauna is a cultural institution that's deeply woven into the fabric of Finnish life, and now the lives of so many from a variety of backgrounds outside of Finland as well. Saunas started as humble pits in the ground and evolved into inviting wooden structures with the iconic kiuas (stove) at their heart.

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. 

- Juho Pelkonen 

Some tips to create optimal löyly:

• Try to start off easy with one ladle or less of water on the rocks and build up from there and see what feels the best. The more water you throw on the rocks, the more it cools down the rocks. After the initial heat wave, the sauna cools off quicker. So, if you are generous with löyly, you’ll likely need to run the fire a little hotter.
• Don’t overdo it with the water. If the water makes more of a “splash” than a “hiss” the rocks have cooled off and will need to heat back up.
• Feel free to experiment with the different essential oils in the löyly water. Add 1-2 drops into a full ladle of water, never add the oils directly on the rocks as this causes the oil to burn.
• Practice gratitude with a word or gesture of thanks to the sauna!  There is a "spirit of sauna" in each sauna which requires thanks and a little care and attention for all that it gives for your well-being.

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.