Okay. Let's get serious here. Those of us Finns who have actually experienced a sauna - and even maybe have one at home - know what a splendid experience heating your blood to the boiling point can be...and then running out into the frigid air to do 'snow angels' in the buff!

We know - don't we? - that it's fun, fun, fun! Not painful, as in the competition video (right). I mean, I've been taking saunas since I was 4 years old and I can't remember any of the folks in my sauna set ever going 'extreme'! But then, I guess that happened when sauna became a 'sport'! Competition!!!

Did you notice? Men? Women too smart maybe?

FINNISH SAUNA FACTS

  • Finland's population = 5 million; saunas? 2 million!
  • Saunas were utilitarian inventions - best place to wash in cold winters when houses had no running water.
  • Women did - and some actually do today - birth babies in saunas!
  • Even apartments come with saunas in Finland.
  • The 'smoke-sauna' is the original (heated by wood burned in a stove) and is still considered the best.
  • You are supposed to be totally naked in a sauna (I remember wearing a swim suit, along with the rest of the folks)
  • One of the best parts of sauna is the 'vihta' (birch branches). You dip these in water and slap yourself with the bunch. The birch smells wonderful and the self-flagellation along with the rising heat, get the blood circulating...
  • Cleansing and healing - now THAT's a sauna!
So, if you haven't already - do it soon! A sauna is a 'good thing!'

Video Gem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omzQCFEzZKw

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