Anna-Cari Gund, Director of Raison d’Etre, the global spa consultancy and think tank for wellness, was a panelist at the first World Sauna Forum held in Jyväskylä, Finland, the world’s sauna capital, at the end of September. The event gathered together Finnish Sauna companies and international leaders in the industry to discuss new research, health benefits, and the continuing rise in sauna as a leading wellbeing trend. With almost 50 exhibitors including saunas, stoves, hot tubs, textiles, cosmetics, and sauna innovations, the forum focused on the very best in Finnish sauna experience.
Other panelists included leaders in the industry, Jack Tsonis, the founder of the International Journal of Sauna Studies and President of Australian Sweat Bathing Association, Tiina Vainio. With saunas at the very heart of Nordic Culture, Anna-Cari Gund discussed the power of the trend as a route to wellbeing and the success that LivNordic Sauna Nights have had on guests’ experience.
The event gathered together Finnish Sauna companies and international leaders in the industry to discuss new research, health benefits, and the continuing rise in sauna as a leading wellbeing trend.
LivNordic, created by Raison d’Etre, incorporates Sauna Nights for guests, where a small group can experience the traditional Nordic Bathing Ritual together. Guests are guided through a range of different experiences starting with a short meditation followed by a succession of alternate visits to the sauna and the snow room. The ritual concludes with a gentle warm hug to the heat, releasing hormones that boost wellbeing, relaxation, and happiness. Hosting these evening therapeutic experiences has been a huge success, further emulating the important role that saunas have in creating inner stillness, total peace of mind, and a deeper sense of wellbeing.
The forum finished with the world’s first sauna fashion show where delegates were able to try four different types of sauna and hot tubs in succession, displaying the development and innovation in the industry.
The goal of the Sauna from Finland network, the association behind the World Sauna Forum, is to create the best Finish sauna experience in the world. The 170 companies that are members of the network foster this goal with their products, services, and expertise, ensuring 2018 is “The Year of the Sauna.”
Learn about the first US Sweat Summit here.