Recommended Reading
Sauna: The Power of Deep Heat
by Emma O’Kelly
There is a new wave of sauna culture spreading throughout the UK and beyond. Saunas are being built in unique settings providing tech-free spaces in which to gather, share stories and enjoy nature. The tradition has a rich history, filled with rituals that encourage us to soak up the mental and physical health benefits of deep heat.
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The Opposite of Cold: The Northwoods Finnish Sauna Tradition
by Michael Nordskog
Richly illuminated by Aaron Hautala’s photographs of distinctive saunas from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario, and Finland, The Opposite of Cold is for people who grew up with Wednesday and Saturday evening saunas (or watched their steaming neighbors running toward the lake) and for those who dream of one day having their own. And through this book we see why Finnish sauna tradition is vital and enduring, from the warmest summer evenings to the coldest winter nights.
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Finnish Sauna: Steam, Wood, Stone and How to Build Your Own
by Lassi A. Liikkanen
Whether you’re already planning to build your own, or just beginning to learn of the health benefits of sauna, this book is the perfect introduction to löyly and the very Finnish art of living well. Prepare to embrace the deep sense of calm and connection that comes from this simple marriage of steam, wood and stone.
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Wild Sauna: The 100 Best Outdoor Sweats & Cold Dips in Britain
by Emma O’Kelly
This guidebook is your passport to the exhilarating world of wild saunas in the UK, revealing over 170 locations across the country. More than just a directory, this book explores the ancient roots of sweat bathing in Britain, from the burnt mounds of Shetland and the teach allais of Ireland to the modern-day resurgence of saunas, ice baths and wild swimming.
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Hotwired: How the Hidden Power of Heat Makes Us Stronger
by Bill Gifford
In Hotwired, bestselling author and science journalist Bill Gifford takes readers on a fascinating exploration of the power of heat to improve our performance and our health. Combining cutting-edge science, personal discovery, and practical insights, Gifford reveals how heat adaptation and heat therapy such as sauna can make us healthier, stronger, and even happier, by unlocking the body’s built-in tools to promote longevity and resilience.
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The Wedge: Evolution, Consciousness, Stress, and the Key to Human Resilience.
by Scott Carney
In his New York Times bestseller, What Doesn’t Kill Us, Carney submerged himself in ice water and learned breathing techniques from daredevil fitness guru Wim Hof. It gave him superhuman levels of endurance and quieted a persistent autoimmune illness. At the core of those methods is a technique called The Wedge that can give a person an edge in just about any situation.
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Breathe, Focus, Excel: Exercises, Techniques, and Strategies for Optimal Athletic Performance
by Harvey Martin
In Breathe, Focus, Excel, Harvey Martin—breathing coach for top athletes and teams in the MLB, NHL, and NFL—explains the science behind breath work, how breathing affects various systems of the body, and why changing how you breathe can help you change your game.
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A Practical Guide to Breathwork: A Remedy for the Modern Human Condition
by Jesse Coomer
You have been breathing your whole life; now learn how to breathe better to positively influence your mental and physical well-being. This book is exactly what it says it is, a practical guide. Nothing esoteric. Nothing “woo woo.” What you will find in this book can be applied today in a real way to improve your life.
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Towards a Nude Architecture: A Visual Compendium of Japanese Hot Springs
by Yuval Zohar
As one of the most volcanically active geographies in the world, the islands of Japan gush with nearly 30,000 naturally occurring hot springs, or onsen, of varying temperatures, colors and mineral compositions. When superimposed over the country’s history, their timeline winds its way through ancient religions, warring empires, medical marvels and modern day pop-culture, forming a vital part of the national identity.
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Sweat: The Illustrated History and Description of the Finnish Sauna, Russian Bania, Islamic Hammam, Japanese Mushi-Buro, Mexican Temescal, and American Indian & Eskimo Sweatlodge
by Mikkel Aaland
Sweat bathing, undoubtedly, is more important now in these sedentary times than ever before, in the same sense that so many of us have turned to jogging, tennis and jumping rope to keep our bodies alive.
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