Sauna Culture
August 17, 2006 at 10:13 AM
by Ashleigh
Our super-swanky-ultra-deluxe-and-very-expensive gym has a wonderful sauna complex.
However, in the year that I've been a member I have only gathered enough courage once to step into the sauna on an ordinary day when it's open to both men and women. It was a short and uncomfortable visit. I walked in wrapped in my towel, disrobed, ran into the steam room, sat in the steam, leapt out, fumbled around for my towel and gapped it out of there like I had a bug up my ass.
Neither relaxing nor fulfilling.
So last night was Ladies' Night. I fed everyone at home, loaded the dishwasher and fled.
Wow! The gym is so busy in the evenings! I had never been at night before and it's like a different world. I admit, when I saw how many people were there I was tempted to just drive straight out and come home and pretend the sauna was out of order. But, hey, I'm a big girl now!
So I went in.
I used the footbath, went into the turkish steam room (which is definitely my favourite), almost died of shock under the 'short cold blast' shower, loved the herbal bath, was too scared to go into the jacuzzi which was really busy, and tried the sauna for a bit. I think I'm still ill because my heart rate went up too much so I gave it a miss and went back into the herbal bath.
Usually the sauna complex is full of perfect boobs and bums but last night there were more 'normal' people which was reassuring. I found it difficult to relax though. Maybe it's just that I'm not used to seeing so many nude people in one place.
I also think it's a thing that you really need a friend for. A two hour sojourn to the sauna is not so fun with only yourself for company.
There were lots of other women who were with their friends and chatting in groups and I admit to more than a little envy as I watched how easy they were with one another.
I'm not a person who finds idleness comfortable. I wish I could take my sewing in there ;)
This link describes sauna culture in Finland. The Dutch sauna experience follows the Finnish one almost exactly.
So read up, and next time you visit, we're going to the sauna!
Comments
LOL Ashleigh! Perfect boobs and bums!! I went ONCE only to our local gym, many years ago when we first moved here, and I was totally intimidated by all the Ms. Perfects swanning around.
Lurker coming out of closet (I do read your blog, I'm just not very active commenter :P)...
Well, if it really is close to our (Finnish) sauna culture it is no wonder you felt a bit lonely. Sauna is a social experience - at least I like it much more when I have good company (I admit that I like to have philosophicaql conversations while sweating *grin*).
Though it can be very relaxing even on your own. :) (And I mean *on your own*, but then... most Finns have access to their own sauna, even if they live in apartment (like I do)
August 17, 2006 2:04 PM