The history behind sauna bathing – from ancient rituals to modern wellness

Sauna bathing is one of the oldest traditions of health and recovery that still lives on in modern times. For thousands of years, people have used heat, steam and silence to cleanse the body, strengthen the soul and create community.

The first sauna-like rooms

The oldest traces of sauna bathing date back to the Stone Age. In various cultures, earthen caves or simple stone huts were built where stones were heated and water was poured over them to create steam. These were used both for ritual purification and as a place to strengthen health.

Finland and the soul of the sauna

The country most associated with the sauna is Finland. There, sauna bathing plays a central role in the culture and is closely connected to both everyday life and traditions. The sauna became a place of birth, death, purification and healing. It is even said that Finns have “sauna in their blood” – a tradition that is still strong today.

Sauna bathing in different cultures

Although the sauna is often associated with the Nordic countries, similar traditions have existed around the world:

• Turkey – Hamams, the grand Turkish bathhouses, became social meeting places with a focus on purification and well-being.

• Russia – Banya, the Russian sauna, combines heat with birch resin which is used to stimulate blood circulation.

• Japan – Onsen, the natural hot springs, have attracted people for centuries for relaxation and recovery.

The sauna today – a modern wellness ritual

Today, sauna bathing is part of wellness culture worldwide. Science has confirmed many of the health benefits that people have intuitively known for centuries: improved circulation, reduced stress, strengthened immune system and faster recovery from physical activity.

The sauna has gone from being a simple hut to becoming a designed experience – a place where tradition meets modern lifestyle.

Mana Sauna – the sauna of the future with the soul of tradition

At Mana, we carry on the legacy through the Mana Sauna – an exclusive outdoor sauna built in cedar wood with a reliable and powerful Harvia heater. The sauna combines all the health benefits of traditional sauna bathing with modern design and comfort.

For those of you who want to invest in your health, create a routine for recovery and experience the thousand-year history of sauna bathing in your own home, Mana Sauna is the perfect solution.

👉 Pre-booking is now open - secure your unit and become part of the sauna's next chapter.

Read more about Mana Sauna here