The words
- Löyly (Finnish) — the steam that rises from the stones, and the spirit of the sauna itself.
- Kiuas (Finnish) — the sauna stove; its stones are the heart of the room.
- Savusauna (Finnish) — smoke sauna: no chimney, heated for hours, then aired before bathing. The oldest form.
- Vihta / vasta (Finnish) — the birch whisk; regional Finland can't agree on the name either.
- Banya (Russian) — the Russian steam bath and the building itself.
- Venik (Russian) — the leafy whisk (birch, oak, eucalyptus) used in parenie. "Two big hot palms."
- Parenie (Russian) — the whisking-steaming treatment performed by a banya master.
- Aufguss (German) — "infusion": the towel-and-aroma steam ceremony; performed by an Aufgussmeister.
- Onsen / sentō (Japanese) — natural hot-spring bath / urban public bathhouse.
- Jjimjilbang (Korean) — the 24-hour bathhouse-clubhouse with kiln saunas, food and sleeping floors.
- Hammam (Turkish/Arabic) — the steam bath descended from Roman thermae; göbektaşı is its heated marble belly-stone.
- Contrast therapy — alternating heat and cold exposure; see the Heat & Cold page.
- Banya hat — the felt cap that keeps your head cool while your body heats. Looks silly, works brilliantly.
Quick answers
How hot should a sauna be? Traditional Finnish range is 80–100 °C at the ceiling bench, with löyly humidity in waves. Infrared cabins run 45–60 °C — a different (milder) product.
How long per round? 10–20 minutes, then cool down and rest. Rounds beat marathons.
Is infrared "a real sauna"? It's real warmth and people enjoy it — but there is no steam, no löyly, and the landmark Finnish health studies used traditional hot rooms. See the research page.
Can children go? In Finland, from infancy — briefly, on the lower bench, with a parent. Kids self-regulate: when they want out, they go out.
How often? The Finnish data says the more the better: 4–7 sessions a week showed the strongest benefits. Even once a week is a good habit.
