While on recent Temazcal assignment in Tulum, Mexico,, I stumbled upon many outdoor showers at most beachside hotels. The primary purpose of these outdoor showers, of course, is for a fresh water rinse off after swimming in the crystal clear balmy waters of the Caribbean Sea. Most of these outdoor showers are modestly tucked away, allowing for nuding up and ringing out of Troxers or bathing suit, then with a simple towel wrap, one is completely cleaned off, feeling free in the fresh breeze.... ahh... who needs an indoor shower, anyway? Outdoor showers are: simple easy effective and contain no bullshit like curtains, doors, towel racks, or products from Walgreens. Whether hooked up to a garden hose outside one's backyard … [Read more...]
Search Results for: outdoor shower
Outdoor faucet protector extends the outdoor shower sauna season
in an age of global warming and el nino, we are feeling less and less of intense sub zero bone chilling days and nights. We remember the hard freeze, where we'd safely stow all our backyard gear for the long cold dark winter. Last few winters, however, we get a few snaps of cold nights - good outdoor nICE mug making weather - then a warm up, above freezing in the day. We are tempted to resurrect our outdoor showers in these above freezing stretches. And as we hover around the freezing mark, here's a ridiculously inexpensive product to help keep your outdoor showers ready to go. The foam faucet cover has a little clip that hangs on your faucet and a draw tight strap that pulls the faucet protector against the outside of your … [Read more...]
Outdoor shower ideas that help wave the flag of freedom.
There's something hugely liberating about taking an outdoor shower. Perhaps a nod to nature, or non-conformity - an outdoor shower is, in my view, like waving a flag of freedom. A shower (or lake plunge) is critical to a sauna round. A thorough clean rinse after a session in the hot room is critical to help clean out the pores, washing away sweat, toxins and dirt. All regular sauna enthusiasts do the clean rinse. Most of us aspire to sauna by a beautiful lake, where the clean rinse is implicit with a simple dive off the dock. But a backyard sauna clean rinse can be easily had by installing a simple $15 garden hose attachment. My backyard sauna shower, dangling over a tree branch, is detailed here. A few suggestions about using … [Read more...]
Backyard sauna: first outdoor shower of the season
March 14, 2010. Who would believe it? Ah, outdoor shower: welcome back, and about a few weeks early to boot! I laid out my garden hose in the spring sun, softening it up, then hooked it up to my backyard shower. Happy to report that even in a cold climate like Minnesota, one can enjoy an outdoor shower 8 months of the year. Here's my post on the last outdoor shower of the year. Everyone should have their own outdoor shower, and here's a way to rig one up for $15.00. … [Read more...]
Backyard sauna: last outdoor shower of the season
The day after Thanksgiving, November 27th, 2009. My outdoor backyard shower is hooked up to my garden hose, and cost $15 in parts from any hardware store. It hangs over a branch outside the door to my changing room. It's been a wonderful addition to our sauna experience, simulating jumping into a cool lake after a long sauna round. Yesterday, I could tell that the shower season here in Minnesota was almost over. As I turned on the shower, it started with a trickle and it took a couple minutes to push ice through the hose.. brrrrr made for an even more refreshing 'splash' cooling off under the rushing water. Standing under the brisk shower, I said out loud "'thanks shower, see you in Spring!", my wife shaking her head with a smile on … [Read more...]
An outdoor shower for your home sauna, about $15 from any hardware store
I've seen outdoor showers for $150 in catalogs. Granted some have nice walls around them and a soap dish, but you can build a nice private surround on your own. They all hook up to a garden hose, so I got to thinking, why buy something fancy? So here's what I did. I think it functions better, and feels more natural than a free standing unit. Follow these 9 easy steps: 1. Locate a tree or overhang where you want the shower. 2. Measure hose length needed from shower head to shut off valve (about waist high) along the length of the tree: 3. Find a hose from the garbage or scrap piece somewhere. Or if necessary, buy a 15' hose at Home Depot for about $12.00. I used a grey hose and it blends in nicely with the tree trunk. 4. Cut one … [Read more...]
What I Learned from Building an Outdoor Sauna with a Wood Burning Stove
Guest Post Series continues. Part II with Russ, who first shared his corbel system to support sauna benches here. And given his building skill and meticulous attention to detail, we thought it a good idea to bring Russ back to share: What I Learned from Building an Outdoor Sauna with a Wood Burning Stove Plan the whole space, not just the sauna footprint. You’ll need a deck, patio or other lounging area to rest between rounds in the hot room. You may also want to install an outdoor shower of some sort – and that should be easily winterized if you live in a cold climate. Plan the interior of your sauna carefully, so that windows from the hot room see the outdoors directly, or indirectly through a window in the door to the hot … [Read more...]
The clean rinse explained after a 360 degree backyard shower
As sauna become more popular, tips and ideas from sauna enthusiasts come forth like a wave of steam from water being tossed on sauna rocks. Examples: Three round sauna. From Espoo, Finland to Minneapolis, MN there is a universal satisfaction to the three round sauna. Close the door!. Holding open the hot room door for a little chit chat is faux pas on any continent. The clean rinse. A sauna round is not complete until you're totally rinsed off. With cold water. The clean rinse at the cabin or cottage (mökki in Finland) is a simple jump off the dock after exiting the sauna hot room. For the growing ranks of Urban Backyard Retreat sauna enthusiasts, the clean rinse is enjoyed thanks to a simple outdoor shower set up. The … [Read more...]
8 reasons why the 612 Sauna Society offers a great public sauna experience
As of this writing, the 612 Society is in its second year of operation. Their primary asset is the Forge, a wood fired mobile sauna that is currently deployed outside the Trailhead building, Theodore Wirth, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Below is a sauna enthusiast's list as to why this sauna offers an excellent sauna experience. 1. Great heat A good sauna starts with the stove. Not just any stove but a stove that provides a massive amount of thermal mass. Good heat penetrates deep in the body. Good heat doesn't sting your ears as if you're sticking your head in a boiler oven. A good sauna stove holds a ton of rock (well, several hundreds of pounds of rock). A good sauna stove reflects the steam (Loyly) softly, yet intensely. Good … [Read more...]
A poolside sauna in Eastern Canada provides a rich spectrum of hot, cold, relaxation and wellness retreat
Guest post series continues. Please welcome Troy V. from Rockwood, Ontario. Troy comes to Saunatimes with a good first world sauna problem: how to build an authentic sauna poolside, as part of his pool utility shed. So, let's dive right in and check out Troy's sauna building project. Enter Troy: What compelled you to build your own sauna? The decision to build my own came back in 2014, after listening to a podcast with Dr. Rhonda Patrick who detailed the health benefits of regular sauna use. What compelled me most was a lack of suitable sauna options in my area. I discovered the sauna for myself around 2006 as a member of the Fort Erie YMCA, located across the Niagara River from Buffalo, NY. In that location, the men’s change room … [Read more...]