What is Thermal Bathing? (And why we are obsessed)
At Howl at the Moon Sauna Co., we’re on a mission to spread the love of good heat! In fact, thermal bathing—a practice that’s been around for thousands of years, right now feels more relevant than ever. The deeper we dive into sauna culture, the more we realize just how vast and diverse this tradition is across the world. From the steamy wood-fired Savusauna of Finland to the vibrant, Banya rituals of Russia, from Japanese Onsen to Turkish Hamam—every culture seems to have its own way of harnessing heat, steam, and water for physical, mental, and social well-being.
Thermal bathing isn’t just about sweating. It’s about combining heat, cold and water for the purposes of community, tradition, and renewal. And as this ancient practice experiences a global resurgence, we’re here for it. So, let’s take a journey through some of the most fascinating thermal bathing traditions from around the world.
The Many Forms of Thermal Bathing
Finnish Sauna – The OG of Sweat Culture
When people think of sauna, Finland is usually the first place that comes to mind. Finns have been sweating it out for thousands of years, with sauna deeply woven into their daily life. A traditional Finnish sauna involves dry heat, often in a wood-fired room with temperatures soaring above 180°F (82°C). The practice of löyly—throwing water onto hot stones—creates a blissful steam that enhances the heat experience.
For those who want to take it further, there's the Savusauna—a smoke sauna where the wood is burned inside the room before being cleared out, leaving behind an intense, rich heat that feels both ancient and primal.
Russian Banya – Hot, Loud & Full of Ritual
The Russian Banya is an experience. Similar to Finnish sauna but often hotter and steamier, Banya involves intense heat, cold plunges, and venik—a bundle of birch or oak branches soaked in hot water and used to slap the skin, stimulating circulation and detoxification. It’s a full-body, full-sensory affair, often paired with traditional russian food & drink and deep conversation.
Turkish Hamam – The Art of Cleansing
Unlike the dry heat of sauna, the Hamam is a steam bath steeped in tradition, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. It’s all about deep cleansing, exfoliation, and relaxation. Visitors move through progressively warmer rooms before receiving a vigorous scrub and a massage, leaving their skin radiant and refreshed. Hamam is as much about socializing and ritual as it is about purification.
Japanese Onsen & Sentō – Bathing in Nature
Japan’s Onsen (hot springs) and Sentō (public bathhouses) are centered around the healing power of geothermal waters. Rich in minerals, these baths improve circulation, ease muscle pain, and promote relaxation. Onsen culture is deeply tied to the land—some of the most stunning hot spring baths are nestled in mountains, forests, or by the ocean.
Sweat Lodges, Hot Springs & Modern Sauna Movements
Beyond these well-known traditions, thermal bathing spans the globe:
Native American Sweat Lodges – A sacred, ceremonial bathing experience used for spiritual cleansing.
Korean Jjimjilbang – A social, multi-room sauna experience with clay, salt, and infrared saunas, plus plenty of post-sweat snacks.
Icelandic Hot Springs & Geothermal Pools – Natural thermal bathing at its most scenic.
Aufguss (German Sauna Tradition) – A modern sauna performance where a Saunameister (sauna master) whips towels through the air to distribute heat and essential oils.
Why We’re Hooked on Thermal Bathing
Here’s the thing—thermal bathing isn’t just a trend. It’s an ancient social practice that has stood the test of time, and for good reason:
It brings people together. Thermal bathing is deeply communal.
It’s rooted in tradition. Every culture has its own version, shaped by its environment, history, and people.
It’s having a major resurgence. From backyard barrel saunas to luxury bathhouses popping up in major cities, people are rediscovering the power of heat, steam, and cold immersion.
It’s totally freaking cool. Whether you’re drawn to the science-backed health benefits or the sheer badassery of sweating it out in a wood-fired sauna before plunging into an icy lake, thermal bathing is an experience like no other.
At Howl at the Moon Sauna Co., we’re diving deep into the world of thermal bathing and bringing some of these traditions to life in our own way. If this lights you up, stay tuned—exciting things are coming.
For those of you who want to fall deeper into this rabbit hole with us, we highly recommend checking out Culture of Bathing on Substack: https://cultureofbathing.substack.com/
This is only the beginning—stay hot, stay wild, and keep sweating!
