Latvian Black Saunas
Saunas are not just social, they have many health benefits, and my recent experience in Latvia was one of a kind!
On a recent trip to Latvia I very much wanted to try a traditional Latvian sauna. It turned out to be probably my favourite experience of this country - where it is called the Black Sauna.
A sauna (Pirt) experience often happens out in the countryside in nature, lasts for several hours and is very much a social occasion amongst friends, the sort of thing one might do on a weekend afternoon.
A Pirt will typically comprise a log cabin which contains the sauna room itself and a relaxation / dining room area. Outside is an open air natural pond, which in winter will have an ice crust that has to be cleared to allow an immersion hole.
The Sauna Master heats up the sauna several hours before his or her guests arrive, clothes are optional and you alternate between sitting in the sauna and dips into the pond. The sauna is heated with open coals and humidity is created by throwing water into them at regular intervals. Benches line the walls at different heights and the higher you sit the warmer it gets, as heat rises of course.
The sauna master then uses bunches of oak and birch leaves (and other dried plants) to beat the heat from the top of the room down onto your body, and to create different aromas. He or she also taps your body with these branches to …..and uses them as massage rollers. You also use coffee grains (which contain oil) and honey (often from local hives) to scrub the body. This is then all washed off with a quick dip in the natural pool.
People go in and out of the sauna room at their leisure - there is no fixed timing - you do what feels good for you and your body, as we each gave a different tolerance to heat.
In between you can sit in the social area, hydrate with herb tea and we ate dried rye bread crackers infused with horseradish - delicious!!!. The experience was unique and incredibly relaxing. I slept so well that night and my skin felt incredibly soft.
Saunas are becoming very popular due to their many health benefits - which include cardio vascular health……Recent Finnish studies have determined that four saunas a week at 170F for 20 mins are believed to reduce all cause mortality by up to 40 per cent! In London I sauna 4 times a week at my gym and have definitely felt the benefits.
Fun fact - in Finland, there are 5.5 million people, 2.7 million cars and 3 million saunas! More saunas than cars. Sauna clubs are now becoming more popular in the UK as people realise the health implications. #latvia #sauna #herbs #beer #massage #coffee #honey #pietmujezs #steam #humidity #icecold
