Sauna as theatre

In countries like Germany and Austria, sauna-going is a passion, and the rituals and facilities are often spectacular, with the experience being turned into a true event.

Nancy Davis of the Global Wellness Institute reports.

Saunas are often standard fare at spas, hotels, gyms, leisure centres and social clubs, but they’re often small, lonely and uninspiring.

But if you’ve visited countries like Germany and Austria, you’ll know that sauna-going is a passion, and the rituals and facilities are often spectacular, with the experience being turned into a true event: Aufguss, the German word for infusion.

Often elaborately choreographed by trained “Saunameisters” or “Aufgussmasters,” these sauna rituals often involve aromatherapy infusions, precisely controlling heat and humidity, and using large towels to circulate heat and infusions.

Their appearances in the sauna are often 15-minute performances of pure fun and drama. Towel rituals have evolved into full-blown dance routines; they don costumes and act out songs and scenes from plays or movies; they lead the audience in chanting or singing; sometimes they even introduce light, music, laser and smoke systems.

And sauna-as-theatre is becoming big business: many spas post “what’s playing” lists (in terms of infusions and performances) in saunas; special schools train Aufgussmasters; there are annual Aufguss world championships; and massive theatre-style “show” saunas for 50-300 people are now popping up not just in Germany and Austria but in countries like Norway and Poland.

The performances help people relax into, and extend, the healthy sweat ritual; they are attracting younger generations; and adding an element of fun to a professionally-overseen sauna experience, so what you feel, smell, see and hear is designed for purpose-designed for health and happiness.

They really are taking the sauna experience to a new level.

·       Nancy Davis is Executive Director at Global Wellness Institute.

www.globalwellnessinstitute.org

PHOTOS: Saunologia, Tumisu, Pixabay

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