Kivia: The Spirit of Sauna Memory Tree Productions

Does sauna make people happier? Finland has been named the world’s happiest country for seven straight years. There are also 3.3 million saunas in Finland for a population of 5.5 million people. Coincidence? We think not. In today’s episode — our Season 3 finale — we’re discussing the link between regular sauna use and happiness. We’re also sharing our own personal experiences with sauna and happiness, and looking back at some of our favourite insights on the subject from past guests.Lastly, ...

Sauna has exploded in popularity in the UK over the past five years, with more and more Brits seeking out authentic sauna experiences everywhere from five-star luxury spas to grassroots mobile saunas.Even more unexpected has been the rise of “aufguss” — the art of using rhythmic towel movements to circulate heat, air and essential oils in the sauna — and today’s guest has been leading the charge.Deborah Carr is a certified sauna master and the founder of Anada, which provides sauna master tra...

Part art installation, part sauna village, Public Sweat took over Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre for close to two months last year using an unexpected medium: the sauna.Inspired by sauna and global sweat-bathing traditions, Public Sweat featured five different sweat-bathing spaces — each designed by a different artist — that attracted more than 6,000 people, many of whom had never set foot inside a sauna before.In this episode, we’re joined by Layne Hinton, the co-founder of Art Spin, which cu...

Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea, Quebec, has long been considered one of North America’s premiere destinations for authentic Nordic sauna. So when Groupe Nordik recently opened a sister location near Toronto, you know Alan was one of the first in line to try it out!With over five acres of thermotherapy — including North America’s largest aufguss event sauna — Thermëa Spa Village is already making a name for itself.Want the inside scoop? Consider this episode your exclusive tour with our guest, ...

Finland has been named the world's happiest country for seven years in a row. It’s also home to 3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million people. And roughly one-fifth of Finns take part in something called “cold water” or “winter” swimming.Coincidence? We think not, and our guest, Katja Pantzar, agrees.A Canadian-Finnish journalist based in Helsinki, Pantzar first discovered cold-water swimming a decade ago and now swims in the Baltic Sea almost every day — all year round.She’s also t...

Sauna is just the beginning of the Finnish cultural experience that awaits visitors to Vettä Nordic Spa. Not only can you relax and recharge with Finnish-style thermal therapy, but you can enjoy farm-to-table Finnish fare, take part in a “vihta”-making workshop and even sauna with a Finnish guide. How did this authentic Finnish sauna oasis — located just one hour outside Toronto — come to be? In this episode, we’re joined by Vettä owner and founder Eric Harkonen, along with bra...