However, preparations begin this weekend. In fact, the first training course for 14 sauna masters from Tallinn and Tartu will take place at the Mustamäe Elamus Spa, to learn the rituals of the Aufguss sauna of German origin. The training is conducted by the world’s best Dutch sauna masters Ashley and Gideon Fijma. Elamus Spa sauna masters Johanna Jakobson and Karl-Peeter Kangur also train.
Both went to Germany in September to represent Estonia at the World Championship of Aufguss Sauna Champions, an organization that unites spas and saunas. 17 countries belong to the Aufguss association, for example Japan, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany. Elamus SPA is the only Estonian member of the Aufguss association.
17 countries belong to the Aufguss Association.
Since Elamus Spa is a new member of the Aufguss Association, our sauna masters had the opportunity to present Estonia as a country with a strong sauna tradition, but not yet officially compete. However, the best sauna masters in the world will travel to Thermen Bussloo in autumn 2024 in the Netherlands.
Many options for a towel
The following confession of Johanna and Karl-Peeter, who saw the struggles of the Aufguss with their own eyes and, so to speak, experienced them with their own hands, was reported to Maale by Monika Kuzmina of the GoodNews news agency .
“The towel is an elementary element that accompanies the sauna, whether it is used for drying or to cover the body. However, few people think that towels can make the sauna much livelier and even more pleasant. The simplest way is wind with a towel with different movements so that the hot air and aroma reach everyone in the sauna, but the more experienced can also do tricks with the towel and control the intensity of the air movement,” explains Karl- Peter.
The magic of guided activity
Johanna admits that you can enjoy the sauna too, throwing steam and whistling.
But the sauna experience can be even more enjoyable if the sauna master does all this, adding different aromas to the steam water or ice balls, using different fans and hot air direction techniques.
The task of the sauna master is to offer true relaxation to the sauna guests through his activities.
Sauna master Johanna Jakobson
Thus, sauna rituals were born, which we call 10-15 minute guided activities and pleasures offered by sauna specialists.
“The sauna master’s task is to offer guests true relaxation through his activities, which are aided by throwing steam, directing air currents and using different incense, aromatic oils, music and candles,” he explains.
Johanna emphasizes that if there is a guided activity in the sauna, being there offers more pleasure and joy. Furthermore, aromatic oils have a good effect on the respiratory system and help the body and mind to relax more deeply.
“Many people can’t stay in the sauna for long because it’s too hot, but when a sauna ritual takes place, attention shifts away from the heat and people can focus on what’s happening in the sauna and you don’t even notice that they’re too hot. So they can sweat more, pant, live and relax,” he says.
German style
Aufguss is a style of sauna ritual that originated in Germany, where towels are used to move the airflow. Aufguss is believed to arise from the need to move the air inside the sauna.
If people are in a closed room and sweat a lot on the sauna stage, it is necessary to ventilate the room. To restore temperature and humidity, water is thrown onto the hot stones of the sauna and the steam is distributed with a towel that rotates in the air. Thus was born the ancestor of today’s Aufguss.
Johanna explains that through training and the Estonian Aufguss championships, it is determined who will represent Estonia at the world championships.
By the way, competitions have a set of criteria that are evaluated. For example, heat generation and distribution, towel technique, fragrances used and their doses, theme and story, execution and vogue elements, emotions, creativity and atmosphere, as well as team spirit.
Anyone who would like more information or participate in the training of this special ritual can write to: [email protected].
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2024-01-13 00:30:00
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