Method to Take a Sauna

1. First of all one should disrobe completely before entering. It is also important to remove watches, rings and all other jewelry because the heat of the sauna (סאונה) may distort the metal and burn the flesh that wears it. Contact lenses and glasses should also be removed, as should dental plates and the like. It is common to wear kick-off sandals to walk into the sauna though these are usually left on the floor and never used when on the benches. In the old country, sandals were not used, but instead a bowel of water is placed inside the sauna on the floor and the feet are dipped in this as one enters.

2. Hikoilu - When entering the sauna for the first stage, it is important to remember that there will be at least two levels of benches - the high bench is always the hotter, and the corner of the room diagonally opposite the stove is always the hottest.

3. Vilvoittelu - When a heavy sweat has been reached - one can hear the perspiration dripping down to the floor - this next phase of "vilvoittelu" has been reached and one can then leave the sauna. Traditionally users have sought a cool place of any kind like a swim in the lake or pool, maybe a cold shower, a roll in the snow, or just a bucket of very cold water. Some people simply sit down in the cool outside air.

4. Vihtominen loylyssa - This is the second session inside the hot sauna (סאונה) room. Traditionally birch twigs were heated in a bowel of warm water near the stove and the bathers sitting on the benches would use them to beat their bodies back and front to release the oil from the leaves and to open the skin's pores.

5. Peseytyminen - One brings a bucket of cold water, soap and scrubbing brushes into the sauna and scrubs the body. Traditionally, people would pair off to scrub each other's backs.

6. Huuhtelu - This is a longer session outside, rolling in the snow, a long swim or a washing with shower or buckets in the coldest water available.

7. Jalkilammittely - A fairly short warm up in the sauna which is usually followed by another short swim, dip or shower. Always finish with the cold, but not for a long exposure.

8. Jaahdyttely ja kuivattelu - This is an air bath for cooling and relaxation. Generally, except in harsh winters, one dries with a towel only the hair and back of the neck; after a good sauna (סאונה) the body can dry itself and adjust naturally to any temperatue without difficulties or harm.