FAQs

What should I bring to the sauna session?

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To fully enjoy your sauna session, please bring with you:

  • A towel, required for sitting on in the sauna

  • A water bottle to stay hydrated (no glass please!)

  • Swimwear or sportswear (best to have on under your clothes when you arrive as there are no changing rooms)- you must be clothed in the sauna!

  • slip on shoes like crocks, flip-flops, or sandals.

  • Optional: bathrobe for relaxing outside (you won’t regret bringing this!)

How should I prepare?

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Please make sure you are hydrated. Do not wear makeup or scented perfumes. It is easiest if you come already changed into your bathing suit or sports-wear. Take off all metal jewelry before entering sauna (it will get hot!) and leave cell phones outside of sauna. Please arrive on time so the sauna host can welcome you, go over the basics, and get you sweating!

What is Community Sauna?

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Sauna is more than just an individualized experience. It’s a place for people to relax and connect, where strangers become friends. Sauna offers an alternative space to connect and be in community with others. There is a Finnish proverb that says “All are created equal, but nowhere more so than in a sauna.” Something special happens when people sweat together and connect with the elements that are brought together in the sauna; it brings out genuine joy and healing.

All are welcome in the sauna, with the prerequisite of entering with respect and kindness. You can be a sauna aficionado or it can be your very first time entering a sauna- know that you are welcome here.

When you book, you're reserving an unassigned seat and you'll share the sauna with others. Please be considerate of your fellow sauna-goers. We recommend going with the flow: some community sauna sessions are filled with laughter, some are more quiet and introspective. Out of respect for all, including the Saunatonttu- the traditional spirit that inhabits the sauna- we ask that you use your indoor voice inside the sauna and that you keep cell phones and devices outside the sauna. All attendees must follow our posted sauna rules.

How do I sauna?

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In the sauna it’s important to slow down and listen to your body. A typical sauna session consists of cycling between the heat of the sauna and cooling down either from the cold air, a cold rinse, or a roll in the snow. Know that everyone is different. Generally people spend 5-15 minutes sitting in the sauna during each cycle and rotate between heat and cold during their hour-long session. When your body tells you you’re done the heat, exit the sauna to cool off. You can go back in when you feel ready. In a nutshell: sweat in the sauna, cool down outside, and repeat for 3-4 cycles.

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Amenities

Brattleboro sauna is space to connect to the land and to community- it is an outdoor Vermont experience more than a spa experience (but don’t let that fool you- trust that you will leave feeling a sense of joy and renewal). Each of our locations has slightly different amenities.

It is easiest if you come to your session already changed into your bathing suit or sports clothing- Hilltop Montessori School has bathrooms that can be used to change, there is a rustic outhouse at Wild Carrot Farm and West River Cafe has a bathroom if you purchase something inside. While we have hanging baskets for you to use if needed, plan to keep most of your things in your car. We have a place inside the sauna entryway to store your car keys.