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 sauna or at a beachside hotel, outdoor showers help wave the flag of freedom. Just as we need more Sauna Talk, we need more outdoor showers. Step in. Hit it. Towel off. And keep going. Perhaps a metaphor for doing anything in … [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 house. This easy on and off attachment means your faucet stays relatively warm, drawing the warmth from the pipes inside your basement, and keeps the cold outside air out. Now the real bomb is to use an outdoor faucet … [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 backyard showers: 1. Cold water only. A cold rinse is much more exciting and purposeful than a warm shower. I am not sure why, but both women, men, and kids all scream like girls on a roller coaster when they first encounter a cold outdoor shower … [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 her face. Link to how to make your own outdoor shower. … [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 end of your hose to size. 5. Go to hardware store and have them attach a fitting to the cut end ($3.00). 6. Attach a hose nozzle, set on "shower" or "center" mode (do not use "jet" mode unless your body is thick with rust). 7. Secure your … [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 room, which is aligned with a window on the world. Also consider cross ventilation in the changing room, including retractable screen doors that work well in confined spaces. Carefully consider whether you want to build an outdoor structure out of … [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 backyard shower is hooked up to a garden hose. No need for tempering cold water from the outdoor faucet. The outdoor backyard shower replicates the cool lake plunge. Why is the clean rinse so important? A complete sauna hot round is great for the … [Read more...]
Backyard cold plunge between sauna rounds for $72.99
As more and more folks are discovering the authentic sauna experience, more and more folks are understanding that sauna is not just about the hot room. Matter of fact, the benefits of a proper cool down are being recognized as ability to: Equalize body temperature (as a pre-set for next sauna round, or to go to bed) Enjoy fresh air and nature (while in the garden all misty wet with rain) Reduce inflammation Increase Adrenaline and Endorphin rush accentuation ("omg, i feel great") Boost immune system Improve mental health Athletes, like football players, use cold plunge for relief, after beating the shit out of each other. Wim Hof applies cold plunge therapy as a key part of the Wim Hof Method. Those with cabins and lake cottages cut holes in the ice, where winter cold plunge retreats are warmly received. Finns have been enjoying and benefiting from winter swimming, Avanto, for many generations. Americans are recognizing the value of cold plunge between our … [Read more...]
What elements make for a great sauna design?
While sharing a sauna with a couple architect friends and a contractor, as the endorphins started rushing, voices started rising, and concepts became more agreed upon, I started jotting down some of the key elements about designing and building a sauna. TRANSLATIONS: outdoor shower double glass door to outside lighting: dimmers & control center to set the vibe nature wins glass to lake - all windows tall ceilings (in changing room) sound system deck wrap around symmetry simple, elegant treatments large overhangs What can you add to this list? … [Read more...]