It improves circulation, detoxifies your body, relaxes aching muscles, opens blocked airways, boosts your immune system, improves your sleep and reduces stress.
Have you ever taken part in an Aufguss session? Aufguss is a German term, defined by Collins dictionary as ‘pouring of water onto hot coals’. This energising sauna ritual, in Finnish also known as löyly, is an absolute must-try! In our public baths, you can take part daily in several Aufguss sessions for free. Below, we explain what you can expect during an Aufguss session and what the health benefits of Aufguss are.
What happens during an Aufguss session?
During an Aufguss session, the Aufguss master joins you in the sauna and pours water infused with essential oils onto the hot stones. Or he or she may place ice balls with essential oils on the stones, which makes them melt. This increases both the humidity and temperature in the sauna. The Aufguss master then walks around, wafting bursts of hot air over you with a towel or fan. Expect a real adrenaline kick, quickly followed by a sense of deep relaxation.
What are the benefits of an Aufguss session?
- Improved circulation: Your blood vessels widen as a result of the heat in the sauna, which makes your blood flow faster and this in turn allows for a more efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients around your body.
- Detoxification: During the session, you sweat, helping your body eliminate waste products and your pores open up. This supports your kidneys and stimulates your lymph glands, resulting in improved detoxification.
- Muscle relaxation: Better circulation means that oxygen and nutrients are supplied to your muscles more quickly, which promotes muscle repair. Heat also reduces muscle tension and stimulates the production of endorphins i.e. your body’s natural painkillers.
- Cleared airways: The essential oils, like eucalyptus and mint, that are used during the session help open your airways and many also have antibacterial and calming properties.
- Immune system boost: The alternate exposure to heat and cold strengthens your immune system, increases the production of white blood cells and reduces stress through the production of endorphins and a drop in cortisol levels.
- Better sleep: The exposure to heat, followed by cold helps you fall asleep more quickly and sleep more deeply. It activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and repair.
- Stress reduction: An Aufguss session lowers your cortisol levels and increases the production of endorphins, so you feel less stressed and experience a greater sense of wellbeing.
Daily wellness programme
We offer a daily extensive programme in our public baths with a wide range of Aufguss, scrubbing and relaxation sessions, which you, as our sauna guest, can take part in for free. For more information, ask our reception staff when you check in or take a look at the day’s programme displayed on our TV screens in the public baths. Also, our Aufguss masters are happy to help you if you need assistance and will gladly answer any questions you may have!
More interesting blogposts about Aufguss sessions
Do also check out our FAQs about the sauna experience in our public baths.
