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Just a simple heat bath to breathe and to eliminate, through sweat, toxins and wastes from the skin. This thermal process is one of the oldest and most popular of the world. It seems, in fact, already in the ancient Aztec settlements, women give birth in a sort of hut "sweat" so he can benefit from the soothing heat and relaxing way to relieve the pain. But, in addition to the therapeutic properties, for many people, including the Sioux Indians, the sweat also represented a function of purification. The traditions of the sauna have been preserved and improved especially in Finland and in Russia where it is not uncommon to see, on the shores of lakes and rivers, wooden houses built for this purpose. Sauna is a Finnish term that identifies a building, usually a small room, where you can swim heat. With the word "sauna" is also commonly the heat bath is run in these places. The origins of this practice are lost in the mists of time, but these uses have been preserved and improved, especially in the Nordic countries and Russia. In Germany and Austria saunas were widespread after the Berlin Olympics of 1936, when the Finnish athletes have required their installation. In Italy have found particular prominence following the Winter Olympics in Cortina in 1956. The area with the most deeply rooted Italian culture, the Sauna is the Alto Adige, Friuli to a lesser extent, the high Veneto, Trentino. Use of sauna has spread thanks to the fact that, among other things, is considered a great way to relax and promote a healthy sleep.
saunas current can be solid wood, only coated wood or sometimes in pietra.I wood most used for structure are different types of fir (normal, red = Canadian hemlock), schedules for accessories (African wood very smooth) or poplar. The wood is not treated, paint and tends to be damaged by sweat. The presence of resin is appreciated by many.
The heart of the sauna is the stove, now mainly by electricity or wood, in the past also in coal, oil or gas.
are placed on the stove of volcanic rocks such as granite, diorite, peridotite, the olivine, which gradually release the stored heat and do not break with sudden temperature changes. A grate protects the heater from accidental contact (should never be touched when turned on and should not be used for drying clothes). Among the furnishings are the wooden benches and headrests, a thermometer, hygrometer, the hour glass wall, the bucket and wooden spoon. The lighting is dim. They are usually very clean and fragrant local, and if treated adequately ventilated (there are special cleaning products).
Features
Contrary to the turkish bath, dry sauna is the original and that is why the temperatures are much higher and a minimum of 80 ° C and up to almost 100 ° C. The humidity stood at 15.10%, max 20%. The heat is spread evenly inside the sauna and increases with the height ranging from 50 ° to the bench less than 90/100 degrees higher education. The middle bench is the one where you sweat more.
The functions of the sauna may be a number of hygiene (cleaning of the body), spiritual or religious (rites of passage and purification), therapeutic (prevention and treatment of diseases) ... or simply search for the physical and mental wellbeing.
When and how to prepare it
For a good sauna, we must not hurry: let's at least two hours of time! Before you start eat a light snack (do not go on an empty stomach but not in complete digestion). If we made serious efforts fisici (palestra, corsa, nuoto, sci, ecc) ci riposiamo almeno 15/20 minuti. Arrivati sul posto, andiamo in toelette e ci laviamo bene con sapone e shampoo. Dopo la doccia ci asciughiamo (meglio se ci strofiniamo con l'asciugamano per predisporre la pelle) e manteniamo i piedi caldi. Togliamo oggetti metallici e in plastica, come catenine, orecchini, orologi, fermagli, occhiali, lenti a contatto che con il calore risultano fastidiosi se non addirittura pericolosi.
Evitiamo anche costumi da bagno sintetici, che sono nocivi per questioni circola torie e igieniche (bloccano la traspirazione, impediscono una corretta circolazione, trattengono residui e scorie a contatto con la pelle, possono unhealthy substances to ... and the heat became unbearable!). Possibly we are naked to get the maximum benefit from treatment. We leave the slippers outside the cabin. Inside the sauna we carry a large clean towel and dry and we get wet. We put the towel on the spot where we sit or lie down, behind his back and under your feet. We remain fully discovered. Let us not talk of the gym and do not bring books, magazines and drinks. Breathe slowly and deeply. The first visit to the sauna can last from 8 to 15 minutes. If there is room, we can lie down, but before leaving we sit a few minutes to equalize the pressure. After leaving the sauna, take a shower with cold water or cold water. We also entering the cooling frigidarium, taking a walk outside or immersing in the cold tub (always starting from the feet). We drink more to fill water, fruit juice, herbal tea, or eat a fruit. Following a rest period of at least 15/20 minutes. The complete cycle (from the entrance to the sauna to rest) can be repeated up to three times. It is important not to overdo it and follow the signs and needs of your body, which may vary each day.
The sauna cabin and tools
A sauna can be anywhere, even outdoors near a lake or a river. Masters of this therapy are the Finns that they can count on a perfect equipment to suit the most demanding, not only in hotels, but in almost every private home. The interior and benches to lie down to be in rough wood, poplar or pine. The stove is another essential element: it can be heated by coal, firewood, charcoal or electricity. The oven, the volcanic stones are used to heat and distribute it in the forfeiture. Every now and then you can throw water on the stones, the water evaporates immediately, means that the temperature in the cabin to grow a few degrees. Other important items are, therefore, a bucket and a ladle for the water (always made of wood), the thermometer on the wall and a clock. Even better, for the latter case, if it's an hourglass: who should enter into a sauna to relax with peace of mind without taking an eye constantly minutes and seconds and an hour glass just enough to signal the end of time. To allow a better dilation of superficial blood vessels you can strike with birch branches. This technique is mainly used during the steam. The Finns collect birch branches during the months of June and July, when they are full of leaves. The branches are dried and, before use, they are wet to resume. Alternatively you can use a wet towel and squeezed.
The timing of the sauna
Usually, a sauna is efficient because it takes a few steps. The temperature sufficient for a good sweat to reach 80 degrees. It 'the first step should not exceed ten minutes, in fact, the first few times it is best to avoid the steam because the air suddenly became hot and humid, it may annoy In this case, just do not pour water on the stones of the stove. To avoid dizziness before you leave you need to get off the bench very slowly. Once out of the sauna, he takes a shower with cold water (The jet has to be sweet) showing a normal body temperature. It is, then, the moment of rest wrapped in a bathrobe or with the aid of blankets, there lies on the couch. This time, not more than fifteen minutes, it can also be used for a nap. We return, finally, in the sauna for the second step - about ten minutes - being careful to repeat the same tricks. After the skin will be softer and more elastic: a good vegetable milk (a moisturizing cream herbal) will complete the treatment.
Drinking is important
the sweat in the sauna are lost body fluids and minerals. It is therefore essential replenish what was lost. They are banned sugary drinks, stimulants, and especially those alcoholic beverages, not only during but also before and after the sauna. Among the drinks mentioned are non-carbonated water, raspberry tea, mallow, nettle, linden, fruit juices or vegetables. The most suitable for drinking is, however, after the sauna.
Contraindications
is good for people suffering from hypertension, chronic lung or heart and circulatory problems avoid the sauna. However, for newbies, you should always seek advice from your doctor before starting treatment with heat baths.
The positive effects
There is a statistic that points out the psychological benefits of the sauna, however, almost uniquely it is claimed that after a bath you feel psycho-physical relaxation, reduction of anxiety and feeling of energy.
Sauna and slimming: The profuse sweating caused by the sauna, remove about one liter of water and thoroughly cleans the skin, removing impurities and toxic substances. It is clear, however, that the loss of fluids should be replenished after drinking herbal teas and fruit juices. The sauna, therefore, does not "do" lose weight, but it certainly helps to improve metabolism and turnover.
Sauna and Beauty: A sauna detoxifies in depth and, therefore, makes the skin bright and clear and tissues more elastic. The heat bath also promotes relaxation and helps you sleep at night. Finally, we improved the blood and lymphatic circulation and increases the activity of the skin, tissues and glands. In practice, the sauna is equivalent to a deep cleaning of the whole body and makes the skin more resistant to weather, from cold to heat, wind to smog.
Sauna and activities: sports The beneficial effects of the sauna are also involved on the heart, circulation, skin and breathing and improves resistance to infections like sinusitis, colds and flu. The whole body suffers, therefore, these positive effects that make it more energetic and active. In Germany, for example, began to consider the sauna during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, when you see the results of the Finnish athletes who had asked to have the heat baths.
Trivia: Some original Finnish
- Kiuas = sauna stove
- kiuaskivet = sauna stove stones
- loyly = steam jet
- Rappan = breather at the top of the sauna
- kiulu = bucket, usually made of wood, water
- Kipp, Kauhava = ladle water
Further reading :
http://www.benessere.com/remise/arg00/sauna.htm
http://www.benessere.com/remise/arg00/sauna.htm
