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Among the great benefits a traditional Finnish sauna offers is a
thorough cleansing of the body. The heat of the sauna helps to
open pores in the skin and flush out built-up bacteria through
heavy perspiration. Regular sauna use is also good for blood
circulation, pain relief, and strengthening the body's immune
system. Health benefits such as these have been touted in
numerous books and articles that have been written on the
subject of Finnish saunas.
However, there is one potential benefit of traditional sauna
bathing that has been repeatedly overlooked by even the most
fervent supporters of the Finnish sauna. As obvious as it may
seem in hindsight, it's still worth mentioning: the traditional
Finnish sauna bath can serve as a great introduction to the
Finnish language.
The word sauna itself is a Finnish word. In fact, it is
the only word of Finnish origin that has established such a
secure place for itself in the English language. Ask yourself
what other word better describes a sauna than sauna.
While not yet accepted into the English language, there are some
other Finnish words that define important aspects of the
authentic Finnish sauna experience. The word kiuas, for
example, describes the traditional Finnish sauna stove or sauna
heater that holds and heats the sauna rocks that are such an
integral part of the Finnish sauna. When water is tossed upon
these hot sauna rocks, steam is then produced. The Finnish word
for this steam (so esteemed by Finnish sauna enthusiasts) is
loyly.
In a traditional Finnish sauna, bathers sit on wooden benches.
To the Finnish people, these benches are known as
lauteet. Each bench, or laude, is placed at a
height in the sauna room where the bather can enjoy the air as
hot as he or she can tolerate it.
Adding to the pleasure of a traditional Finnish sauna experience
is the vihta or vasta, a thick bunch of young,
leafy birch twigs that are tied together and used by the sauna
bather to slap on him or herself (without causing pain) to
promote blood circulation and cleanse the skin. In countries
where tender birch is not as readily available as it is in
Finland, the vihta or vasta can consist of cedar
or poplar twigs. The actual slapping of the vihta or
vasta is known as vihtoa in Finnish.
Sauna, kiuas, loyly, laude,
lauteet, vihta, vasta, vihtoa.
Congratulations on completing your first Finnish vocabulary
lesson.
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