Have you ever had an authentic sauna experience? If you answered yes, because you spent time sweating in a heated wooden room, you may be surprised to learn that you haven’t.
A genuine sauna experience is so much more than that. Sauna culture is steeped in history, tradition, and ritual. A deeper connection with sauna makes for a richer, holistic experience. Whether you are a sauna enthusiast, novice, or just curious, Kivia.ca is the destination for all your sauna-related needs. The website and companion podcast series are here to inspire, unite and promote sauna culture.
It is widely accepted in Finnish culture, there is no greater compliment than to be invited into someone else’s sauna, and it is our great pleasure to invite you to join the spirit of sauna.
Finnish word for small room or structure in which people relax while enjoying dry heat. The word has been adopted into the English language and is often mispronounced. The correct pronunciation is SOW-NA rather than SAW-NA. All saunas containa heat source either covered by or surrounded by stones, or kiviä.
Finnish word for the stones that hold the heat in the sauna. These heated stones create steam or löyly when splashed with water.
Finnish word for steam created when water is splashed on the heated stones, or kiviä. Löyly is also believed to be the soul of sauna.
Finnish word for a bundle or whisk of twigs used to gently slap the skin during sauna. They are often made out of new birch tree growth.
The Finnish sauna sausage, cooked using the heat from the sauna.
Listen and learn about the sauna culture