Finland is the sauna capital of the world, both because it was invented there and because it thrives as an integrated part of the Finnish lifestyle. Finns think of the Finnish sauna in the same way that other cultures think of meditation, massage, bathing in hot springs or any other tradition of body and mind relaxation.

The sauna is practically the Finnish national pastime, and the per capita number of steam saunas in the nation is astounding to many visitors from other countries. By some estimates, there are over two million saunas in Finland, with a total population of around five million. Finnish saunas are practically everywhere and are considered by most Finns as a necessity rather than a luxury.

In a country that is so rich with sauna tradition and lifestyle, it is inevitable that there exists an accepted etiquette to sauna bathing, along with many customs that are uniquely Finnish. Let