sauna

You've undoubtedly heard many times that using a sauna is good for your health, but why? What is it about sitting in a sauna that's so good for you? We break down some of the science behind the sauna experience so you have a better understanding of what your body is doing.

Sweating Out Toxins

We spend a lot of time and energy trying not to sweat--we use anti-perspirants, we wear layers to regulate our temperature. However, sweating is really good for our bodies and we probably aren't doing enough of it. Sweating is our bodies way of cooling itself, but during the process it also excretes molecules that are otherwise cluttering our bloodstream. Perspiration originates directly from the bloodstream. Fluid is delivered from the capillary bed to the sweat gland, carrying organophosphates, heavy metals, pesticides, some preservatives. Flushing these toxins out of your bloodstream prevents them from being stored elsewhere in your body.

Eccrine glands are the major sweat glands, and we about two million of them all over our bodies. They produce an average of a quart of sweat a day, but when you use a sauna they pump out that much in about 15 minutes. This means that using a sauna will purge at least twice as many toxins out of your body in one day than you do on average.
Some experts recommend using far-infrared saunas, as they trigger sweating at a lower temperature than a traditional sauna and it's easier to spend longer periods of time in it. Be sure to hydrate before and after using a sauna to replace lost fluids.

Tylo sauna heaters are among the best sauna heaters available. Based out of Sweden, Tylo produces sauna, steam room, and shower products and accessories that are beautifully designed and environmentally conscious. Here are a few ways Tylo cares for the environment:

• No harmful emissions during any stage of the production process.
• All timber used comes from responsibly managed forests in Scandinavia, the Baltic states, and North America. No timber ever comes from rain forests.
• All plastic components are made from environmentally certified raw materials.
• Waste is minimized: timber waste is used for heating, plastic waste in ground into granules, and every scrap of metal is recycled.

This commitment to quality and sustainability is what puts Tylo at the top.

Tylo Sauna Heaters

Tylo offers standard heaters for home saunas, including Combi heaters--which produce dry heat, wet heat, or clouds of steam--and Sport heaters--which are designed for smaller saunas and shorter running times.

Tylo has several different lines of sauna heaters:

• Their standard line of high-quality heaters, including the Combi and the Sport/Compact.
• The Expression Combi, which won the Red Dot Design Award for its sleek lines.
• The Sense line features sleek design, reliable functionality, and the expected high-quality of Tylo products. It produces quick heat with precise temperature control and smart Eco-functions. Heaters in this line include the Combi, the Plus, the Sport, the MPE, and the SK.

We Are Proud to Carry Tylo Sauna Heaters

We are proud to offer a wide range of Tylo Sauna Heaters. Out selection includes home sauna heaters, commercial heaters, combi heaters, and compact models. If you need help selecting the right heater for you, contact us and we'd love to assist you.

View the full selection of Tylo heaters here. Prices begin at $757 and all heaters come with free shipping in the continental US.

Tylo homepage: http://www.tylo.com/

Natarajasana by Nina Mel, Yoga Teacher courtesy of Kennguru.

Saunas are not the one-use facilities they may appear to be. They provide a great place to sit and relax, but they can also be a great place to exercise. There are many ways to do this, but one of the most popular is doing hot yoga in your home sauna.

What is Hot Yoga?

Hot yoga is a style of yoga exercise performed in hot and humid conditions, feasibly to simulate the climate of yoga's country of origin, India. The heat increases the flexibility of the muscles, which aids in achieving the various yoga poses. There are several different types of hot yoga, including Bikram Yoga, Forrest Yoga, Power Yoga, and Tribalance Yoga. Each type has a slightly different approach and philosophy, but all use varying amounts of heat in the environment.

What Does This Have to Do With Saunas?

Practitioners of Hot Yoga typically attend classes in heated studios with the instructor and other students. However, many people find they are able to replicate the hot, humid conditions necessary for hot yoga in the privacy of their own home saunas. This gives them increased privacy, convenience in when they exercise, and the convenience of not having to leave home. This can be a great option for people with schedules that don't allow time for classes, individuals with disabilities that would be better served by a customized environment, introverts or individuals with social anxiety issues, or parents who'd like to exercise while keeping an eye on the kids.

How to Do Hot Yoga in Your Home Sauna

1. Take some yoga classes. This is really important, and the foundation for moving forward. Yoga poses are very precise, and performing them incorrectly is pointless at best, and a potential for injury at worst. If you cannot attend classes, yoga instructors will sometimes provide private lessons in your home. Once you can comfortably and confidently perform the poses with little to no instruction, you are ready for the next step.
2. Buy a sauna. Or, if you already own one, prepare it for this particular use. You will need plenty of space to spread out and stretch, so a larger sauna is better than a smaller one. Look into options like our pre-built sauna kits--these are easy to customize to fit any space, and are pretty affordable when looking to get maximum space for your dollar. When purchasing the sauna or customizing it for exercise, make sure to consider the amount of floor space available, whether not it has or needs hand rails for your balance, and the placement/type of heater. A traditional stone-heater sauna will let you control the humidity, but many professionals recommend infrared heaters for hot yoga at home.
3. Fine tune the set up. Try it out. Play with different temperature-to-humidity values. Invest in a good yoga mat. Cheaper mats may not be able to stand up to higher temperatures and can become slick with moisture, posing a serious safety hazard. Have your yoga instructor inspect the set up and monitor your first session. They may have ideas for how to utilize other aspects of the sauna, such as the benches and backrests, in your yoga routine. Find your limit for how long and hard you can exercise and respect it, setting a timer if necessary to avoid over-exertion.

Be Safe

If your health is compromised in any way due to pregnancy, illness, or disease, always check with your doctor before taking on a new work out routine or exposing yourself to extreme temperatures and humidity. Hot yoga and sauna use are not for everyone. It's important to respect your own limits. Certain prescription medications are also not compatible with increased temperatures. Always have plenty of water available to avoid dehydration, and if at all possible make sure someone knows where you are when you are using the sauna. Keep your phone right outside the sauna door in case there is a health emergency. Exit the sauna immediately if you begin to feel dizzy or nauseated.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_yoga

It was a long day at work and your back muscles are twisted up like the Gordian Knot. You step into your home sauna and AAAaaahhhh ... . All better. Except--sniff--what is that--sniff--what is that funky smell?

Alas, sometimes even our happy place needs a bit of a clean. Luckily, it's easier than you might think with just a little elbow grease and a few low-priced products.

Simple Sauna Care

Regular maintenance is not too involved and you really don't need any special tools. You can use a broom and vacuum for basic cleaning, as well as do a quick clean up of the floors and benches with a damp rag. Keep a stack of towels outside the sauna door to use for sitting on while using the sauna and for quick wipe downs. This will protect the wood from body oils, which can trap dirt and skin cells and discolor the wood. For extra care with the sauna bench, avoid washing those towels in harsh detergents. Your skin and the sauna wood will thank you!

Protecting the Sauna Wood

Protecting the sauna wood should be one of your highest priorities. Start by treating your sauna benches, backrests, and other areas with sauna bench wood oil. If you use your sauna frequently, a weekly schedule for doing this will ensure it is done regularly. You can clean less if you use it less. For spot cleaning, use a mild detergent such as dish washing soap (not the dishwasher kind) and mix with water. Use a sponge to liberally wash the wood on the floor and benches. You can also keep this solution in a spray bottle for ease of use. After you have washed the wood, rinse with a little clean water and towel dry the wood surfaces.

If the wood develops discoloration from excessive use, you can use light-grade sand paper (Very Fine or Fine grade) to gently sand the surface. This can give your sauna a refreshed look.

Tend to the Heater

You will also need to maintain your sauna heater. If your sauna uses a wood-burning heater, you will need to frequently remove the ash build-up. You should also periodically check the exhaust pipe to make sure there is no creosote build-up. This can be a major fire hazard, so don't skip this!

If you are running off an electric heater, the maintenance is much easier, as all you have to do is occasionally wipe off the heater to keep dust build-up under control.

Finally, if your sauna heater has sauna stones, you need to examine them frequently to make sure none have cracked. Any cracked stones should be removed and replaced.

Saunasandstuff.com has many cleaning supplies and sauna products to keep your sauna in great shape. Your happy place should also be a clean place.

Here are some products you might be interested in:

• sauna bench oil
• electric towel warmer keeps towels toasty and close at hand for easy clean up and cover up
• replacement sauna rocks
• plastic tumblers with lids are safe to use in the sauna and prevent spills

*More on the Gordian Knot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordian_Knot*Detergent types: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/detergents#.UoZ_-43QHhU
*More on sauna care and maintenance: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/sauna-care-and-maintenance-tips#.UoaE5I3QHhU

We know that saunas are really good for our health, but why? What is all that heat and sweating doing for our body?

Besides the benefit of heat on tense and sore muscles, sweat therapy is the primary benefit of using a sauna. Sweat therapy has been around for thousands of years for both physical and mental health reasons. Technically, sweat therapy is the combination of group counseling/psychotherapy with group sweating. Group sweating is a beneficially social interaction. However, you can still experience the benefits of sweat therapy without a therapist or group.

The skin is our largest organ and sweating is the most effective way to remove toxins from the body. Saunas have been used for millenium as a proven tool effective in cleansing, relaxation, and for boosting ones general health. Sweating helps the body detoxify while strengthening its immune system. Sweat practices are similar to exercise as they cause the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Coupled with meditation or the guidance of a therapist, and sauna use can benefit your entire being from inside out.

Infrared saunas are most often used for sweat therapy as the air temperature remains much lower than in a traditional sauna, so the individual feels generally more comfortable. Sweating often begins before the person feels very hot at all and the sweating is more profuse than in a traditional sauna without the same degree of discomfort. This may make meditation or group conversation much easier.

In a group sweat therapy session, everyone works together as a unit to deal with the heat by offering towels and water to each other and showing concern for each member's comfort in the heat. These gestures of altruism become an established part of the group's culture and translate outside the group into an increased empathy with other people. Alone, you can achieve similar results by meditating or using visualization techniques. Visualize yourself surrounded by sympathetic and caring souls. Imagine yourself receiving their care and kindness and yourself returning the same.

When using your sauna for sweat therapy, always drink plenty of water and do not stay in the sauna for more than 20 minutes at a time. If you are still looking for a sauna for your home, contact us and we can set you up with a model that suits your home and budget. We also have aromatherapy and light therapy(1) products that can aid you in your therapy sessions.

When is it a good idea to limit sauna use? Never! We wish that was the answer, but alas, there are times when you will need to limit your time in the sauna. For the sake of your safety and your health, we've listed below some situations that may require limited sauna time. As always, it is best to consult your doctor.

Pregnancy - According to the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), a body temperature of 101º F and above are dangerous during pregnancy (CAUTION: linked article contains graphic images). Studies have shown an increased risk of birth defects in babies of women who had elevated body temperatures during the first trimester of pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that becoming overheated in a sauna is not recommended during pregnancy. Before choosing to use a sauna during pregnancy, it is best to seek the advice of your health care provider.

Heart Conditions – If you have unstable angina pectoris, poorly controlled blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, advanced heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, and severe aortic stenosis, you should speak with your doctor before using a sauna. Blood vessels dilate when exposed to heat and this can cause blood pressure to fall--a highly dangerous situation for those with heart conditions. Saunas can sometimes help to improve some conditions when used properly, but always work with a doctor prior to embarking on regular sauna use.

Certain Medications - There are a number of medications that can affect the body’s normal response to heat either by inhibiting sweating or by otherwise interfering with normal physiology. For example, some medications used for psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia or the use of stimulant medications for conditions like ADD or excessive sleeping also increase the health risks from heat exposure. If you are on any of these medications, always read the informational sheets provided by your pharmacist concerning your specific medications warnings and side effects, and please speak with your doctor before sauna use.

Alcohol or Drug Use - If you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, do not use a sauna as the effects on your cardiovascular system can be increased beyond safe levels. An intoxicated person may not perceive how much time has passed in the heat, or may not notice the early symptoms of over-heating, such as feeling light-headed or nauseated. There is also the risk of falling asleep, which could be fatal in a sauna.

Too Young - Until puberty, kids can’t regulate their body temperature through sweat production as efficiently as adults can. This means that children under twelve or so are more vulnerable to the heat effects of the sauna. For this and other reasons, kids should not follow the same guidelines of sauna use as their parents. They should limit their time and make sure they drink plenty of water after they leave.

In order to make sauna use a safe and relaxing experience, remember to keep your sauna temperature to no higher than 194°F (The maximum allowed sauna temperature in Canada and the United States is 194°F) and be sure to accurately monitor the temperature and lower it as needed. Also, limit your stay to no more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. As you are exiting, cool down gradually after use and avoid going rapidly from a hot to a cold environment.

You should also try to drink 2 to 4 glasses of cool water after each session to re-hydrate your body. Also, never take a sauna session if you are ill, and if you find yourself feeling unwell while in a sauna, head for the door.

Here at Saunasandstuff.com, we want every sauna experience to be safe, fun, and healthy. Take all necessary safety precautions and Happy Sweating!

*Planning Your Pregnancy and Birth Third Ed. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, CH. 5.

Towel warmers are gaining popularity in the United States. They have been used in homes and hotels in Europe for many years. Towel warmers were used to heat towels, as well as dry them after use. They can also serve as a radiator in any room in your house, including the one with your sauna, heating the air while warming up your towel.

Towel warmers can be hard wired or plugged in, depending on the style and where you want to use it. You can also mount them on your wall outside of the sauna, shower, bath, or steam shower to make it easy to grab that toasty towel without fear of your kids pulling it over.

There are also many different designs to choose from. Towels warmers will typically be made from metal such as brass or stainless steel. SaunasAndStuff.com has many amazing designs to fit your style and budget. Most have automatic shut offs after two hours so you don’t have to worry about turning them off all the time and can leave your used towel on the rack to dry.

Towel warmers help keep towels fresher longer, which means washing them less often. Freestanding towel warmers allow you to use the towel warmer in many different rooms and for a multitude of things, making it the most multipurpose option of all!

If a warm towel after the shower or sauna sounds amazing to you, check out our great selection of home towel warmers.

Ideally, we'd all have private saunas in our homes, where we could relax in any way we wanted. (Saunasandstuff.com really thinks you should get a sauna for your home!) But sometimes we have to make do with a sauna at a spa or gym--I know, life is hard, right?--and we need to share the space with others. In order for everyone to enjoy the sauna, there are a few basic rules of conduct you should follow:

1) Do Not Sit Spread Eagle in the Sauna
I feel like I should type that again in case you missed it the first time. A modicum of modesty is courteous to those around you. Some places require you use a towel, and you should respect this policy. Even if there is no such policy, there is such a thing as being too relaxed for public decency. What would your mother say?

2) Try to Refrain from Talking a Lot
But what about all those movies in the 90s where savvy businessmen held casual meetings in gym steam rooms, you ask. Most people head to the sauna to relax and reap the amazing health benefits, not broker business mergers. They also don’t want to hear about your most recent breakup or a detailed rundown of the latest Facebook drama. Use your sauna time as an opportunity to find your inner zen. Breathe deep and enjoy the rare quiet moment given to you.

3) Use a Towel to Sit On or Lay On
This is a basic hygiene issue. Think about all the people who sat on that bench before you. You don't want their cooties, right? Think about all the people who will sit on that bench after you. They don't want your cooties, either.

4) Shut the Sauna Door
What, were you born in a barn or something? A closed door means lovely warm air for everyone.

5) Stay in the Sauna as Long as You Want
We're giving this one to you. If you are behaving nicely, you are welcome to enjoy that sauna as long as you like. We don't mind. You deserve it.

Of course, you could always pop over to www.saunasandstuff.com and select one of our amazing saunas for your private home use. Then you can sit spread eagle while singing your favorite showtunes in the nude with the door wide open, and no one can stop you.  ;D

You finally made the best decision of your life … to get your own sauna. Good for you! The relaxation and major health benefits of infrared saunas are amazing. Once you get the sauna and set it up in your house, you might wonder how to use it and how to take full advantage of the benefits of your sauna sessions. SaunasAndStuff.com is here to help.

• Always remember to drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after your sauna sessions. Drinking plenty of water afterwards will help your body eliminate all of the toxins from the sauna session.
• Heat the sauna to the desired temperature. You will want to do this up to 30 minutes before you plan to use it so it is warm and ready when you are. The most common temperatures for beginners are in the range of 110° F to 118° F. You can experiment to find out what is most comfortable for you.
• Some people enjoy working out prior to using the sauna to get their blood flowing. If you exercise prior to using the sauna, monitor your body temperature to make sure you do not overheat, since you will already be warm prior to entering.
• You can start with one or two sauna sessions per week and work up from there. Your initial sessions should be 15 to 20 minutes, then gradually increase this time with future sessions as desired.
• Wear as little clothing as possible to get the best infrared sauna benefits and to feel the most comfortable. If using an infrared sauna, remember that infrared rays have difficulty penetrating clothing. You should take two towels in the sauna: one to sit on and one to wipe away sweat.
• Use your sauna session to relax, meditate, and escape. Relieving stress and tension is one of the sauna’s major benefits! You can massage areas of your body that ache to relieve sore and tense muscles. From time to time throughout the session, wipe off excess perspiration to allow for more intense sweating.
• If at any time during your sauna session you feel dizzy, sleepy, or uncomfortable in any way, exit the sauna immediately.
• After your sauna session is complete, turn off the power and sit in the sauna with the door opened slightly for about 10 minutes to allow your body cool down.
• Shower to cleanse the toxins from your skin. Ideally, wait 15 to 20 minutes before taking a warm shower in order to fully cool down and finish sweating.

Saunas are a great way to relax and de-stress, and they offer many health benefits as well! Saunas And Stuff offers a wide selection of saunas--choose the sauna of your dreams today and get started on a healthier, more relaxed life!