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SAUNAS

An encounter with a high temperature                                  

Sauna annex
In the Water Park one can relax in the sauna annex, where one can choose out of a number of saunas of varying features and temperatures – steam bath with lots of water steam, where the temperature reaches 45-50 degrees Celsius, dry Finnish sauna, aromatic dry sauna made of cedar wood and the newest saline sauna, where owing to the proper choice of temperature, humidity and the use of salt, that negatively ionizes the air and fills it with priceless minerals and creates the unique micro-climate.

The sauna has a very beneficial effect on the cardiac system. It increases the speed of bodily purification and strengthens the immunity system.

One can access the sauna only from the pool hall. For the duration of the stay in the sauna the meter of the stay in the pool hall is turned off switching on at the same time the timer in the sauna unit.

Northern Lights most popular sauna is the traditional clear western red cedar sauna room. Western cedar is renowned for it’s high impermeability to liquids and it’s natural phenol preservatives. It is ideally suited for exterior use where humidity is high. The cellular composition of cedar – millions of microscopic air filled cells – provides a high degree of insulation. Cedar’s natural oils are the reason it is decay-resistant and rich in colour. This makes Northern Lights saunas the best of it’s kind and most durable.

All saunas come with our 100% surgical Stainless Steel sauna heater with a life time warranty.

Our pre-cut material packages are available in any size or to any custom modification. Material packages are equipped with everything you will need to finish the interior of the sauna room. Pre-arrangements of stud framing, insulating, and electrical wiring must be completed.

Indoor kit with corner mount heater		Indoor kit with wall mount heater

Wood Fired	Traditional Electric	Infrared

Northern Lights Cedar Tubs and Saunas provide three different sauna heating methods: 1 ) electric, 2) infrared and 3)wood fired.  Each has its advantages!  With our Hybrid^tm Sauna you can combine both infrared and electric!

For a traditional ‘wet sauna’ or ‘steam saunas’, we use our stainless steel electric sauna heaters. This type of heater provides maximum heat output 150- 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and can either be used as a dry heat or water can be added to the rocks to produce a steam heat that will rapidly open the body’s pores and cause the body to sweat. The steam generated by the sauna improves the respiratory system. These heaters require 220 VAC power and usually draw 40 amps so you should ensure your electrical panel can handle this power requirement.

The Infrared sauna heater operates at a much lower temperature 120-150 degree Fahrenheit.  Some people find this a more comfortable temperature to handle.  The Infrared uses a light wave that can deeply penetrate the bodies’ surface of up to 1.5”.  The Infrared Sauna is great for muscles and is used heavily in sports injury recovery.  Very little heat up time is required and the power requirements are  usually 120 VAC with a 15-20 Amp breaker being required.  Because no steam is produced these sauna heaters can quickly be installed in any household location without the need for drainage or a steam venting system.

The wood fired  sauna heater is the power house of all traditional Finnish saunas.  It is the best type of heater for generating and retaining maximum heat and can heat much larger areas than electrical or infrared heaters. Its large body of rocks, allow it to produce a larger amounts of steam. It’s only draw back is that it is only suited for exterior sauna applications. The glass door on the fire box provides a warm and pleasant ambiance. It is very efficient and requires very little wood to operate, making it the most cost effective of the 3 heater types.

SAUNA is the only bath in the world in which both dry and damp air is present at the same time. It is the body’s natural way to cleanse itself through perspiration. The high heat (average of 180-190F) and the low humidity (about 20%) provide an environment which promotes over all perspiration and the deep cleansing of pores. The body’s impurities are flushed away (even nicotine from a smoker’s body). This total perspiration helps maintain clear, healthy skin and provides a rosy afterglow. Saunas are first and foremost a place of relaxation. The soft heat and humidity soothes and relaxes tired muscles, relieves stress, and promotes a wonderful after Sauna feeling of satisfaction and well being. The body’s natural painkillers, beta-endorphins and nor-epinephrines, are released to provide a feeling much like a runner’s high. During a Sauna session, the rate of blood circulation increases, the rate of breathing increases, and the pulse rate quickens. Saunas are like mild exercise, or a cardiovascular workout for your heart. Calories are also burned in a Sauna session. A Sauna should be used in conjunction with a proper diet and exercise program

Let’s start with precautions and general sauna behavior


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• Avoid alcohol and drugs. Consult your doctor if you are on medication or in questionable health.
• Leave the sauna anytime you feel light-headed, dizzy or ill.
• Rest at least 15 minutes after strenuous exercise before using a sauna.
• Begin slowly to see how you react to the sauna environment. Err on the side of caution when starting out. Don’t go more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time to start and keep the temperature low (160°-170°F or 70°-80°C).
• the sauna should be like a warm, comfortable, protective womb. Avoid swearing, loud noises, and negative conversation.

  

  Directions for using a sauna: Preparation
  

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• Be sure to set aside enough time. This should be a relaxing experience, rushing defeats the purpose.
• While the sauna is heating up (typically 30-60 minutes) you should get some materials together including:
  -a change of clothes
  –towels to sit on and wipe off with
  –refreshments for afterwards
  –water for “löyly” (steam) and rinsing off
  –”vihta” (a birch whisk) if you want one.
• A light meal is OK but don’t eat a heavy meal before taking a sauna. It will preoccupy a lot of your blood for digestion. You want to circulate as much blood as possible.
• Don’t drink excess water (a glass or less is fine) before entering the sauna. It will reduce the effectiveness of the detoxification process.
• Use the bathroom. You don’t want to be diverted later on.
• Remove jewelry, piercings (metal gets hot) and as much clothing as you feel comfortable without. Any clothing worn should be light and loose fitting.
• Rinse off with a shower.

Everyone reacts differently to the environment in a sauna so there are no universal

directions for using a sauna but there are guidelines to help you find what works best for you.

The best directions for using a sauna come from the accumulated wisdom over time. Sauna use, in one form or another in many different cultures, has been documented for at least 2000 years. There must be real benefits to inspire such loyalty and longevity. If you have any doubts ask a sauna enthusiast. They will likely put a sauna very near the top of their “can not live without” list.

To get the most out of your sauna the right routine is important. A general outline can be summed up as Preparating-perspirating-”löyly”-”vihta”-rinsing-cooling-repeating-relaxing.

Directions for using a sauna differ somewhat depending on the type of sauna involved. The main difference is between Infrared and traditional saunas. Traditional saunas use rocks that are heated with wood burning, electric or gas heaters. The rocks can be used to produce steam or “löyly”. Infrared saunas are powered by Infrared emitters and don’t have heated rocks. They are “dry” saunas.
The following directions for using a sauna are for a traditional sauna. Adjustments for an Infrared sauna are identified at the end.

Quality sauna construction starts with the right custom sauna plans. With all the options how do you decide on the perfect plans for you?

One way is to look at the important components of a custom sauna separately. After making a decision about each part, they can be looked at together to see if it works as a whole package. The best way to eat an elephant (build a sauna) is one bite at a time.

Lucky for you sauna construction is not rocket science and a lot easier than eating an elephant. Coming up with custom sauna plans that are perfect for your situation will only take some thought.

The first decision is whether you want to build from scratch or get a kit. If you want a kit, check out the page comparing kit options. Kits can be very simple to construct or much more involved. Some of the panelized sauna kits require little more than joining several sections together. In a matter of hours you can be up and running. At the other end of the spectrum are the pre-cut kits. These are like building from scratch but the designing and cutting have been done for you.

When a first-time buyer thinks of sauna accessories, the usual bucket and ladle come to mind, and probably not much else. But in order to truly indulge and enjoy your new bathing experience, you should think outside the box and explore the wealth of sauna equipment that is available in today’s market.

But when talking about accessories, you should still start with the basics. Many people may think that any bucket and ladle will do in a sauna, but this is simply not the case. They need to be made with a material that resists moisture so that they do not warp or change color in the heat and steam. Think about it – if you use a plastic bucket, it could melt and stain your benches, produce an unpleasant aroma, and even scald someone who tries to touch it. This is not something that you want to happen, especially if you have guests. If you have an infrared sauna that uses no steam or humidity, then you may have more choices, and can even splurge on a fancy set with the money you save in electricity (since infrared saunas take less energy to heat).

Nothing could be simpler than a sauna. After all, it’s only heat and water. No special equipment, no extra gear, and no clothes! Despite the simplicity, though, there are a few sauna accessories that can make your sauna experience even more enjoyable.

One of the appealing things about saunas is their natural beauty. The wood lined walls, ceilings and floor are as attractive as they are functional. When choosing sauna accessories try to find objects that will complement this natural beauty. Wooden accessories fit in very well, as well as other natural materials like copper and cotton.

Every sauna needs a pail and ladle for putting water on the rocks. There are many attractive sets in both wood and copper. Wooden pails fit in naturally with the wood panels of the sauna, but copper provides a nice accent. When choosing a ladle, make sure you get one with a long handle. It will allow you to keep your hands away from the steam when you pour water on the hot rocks.