The sauna has existed in a variety forms for thousands of years, most notably in the ancient country of Finland, which gave us the word "sauna". Well-known too are the sweat-lodges of Native North Americans. Other cultures knew the relief of exposing the body to periods of elevated heat, as in steam-baths or hotsprings. The sauna's purpose, as a cleansing and relaxing enclosure, has not changed much over time, but advances in technologies can give convenient new ways to enjoy the warmth of the sauna.
WHAT IS FAR INFRARED?
The sun is our principal source of infrared heat. As the sun's rays hit the surface of the earth, the heat we perceive is in fact Far Infrared waves. Infrared heat is essential for all life. When you lie on the beach you are soaking up infrared heat. Unfortunately you are also receiving direct damaging ultra-violet rays. FIR heat provides the healthy benefits of natural sunlight without any of the dangerous effects of solar radiation. The invisible and very safe Far Infrared heat produced by an Infrared sauna is able to penetrate well below the skin, which enables the body to sweat at air temperatures of 110 - 140 ° F (much lower than conventional saunas). Far Infrared heat can provide topical heating to raise tissue temperature; for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, arthritis and muscle spasms; relieving stiffness; and promoting relaxation of muscle tissue.
WOODEN SAUNAS AND PORTABLE SAUNAS
A portable Infrared Sauna incorporates the same elements as a (furniture-sized) wooden Infrared Sauna, and gives the same revitalizing results to the body inside it. The same FIR technology heats the body in an enclosed space. The portable sauna is significantly more affordable, but without a loss in effectiveness.
