The whispering hiss of water on hot rocks, the scent of wood and pine penetrating the air around me, I look left and see waves from Lake Superior lapping onto the North Shore rocks just steps away. As the wood crackles, I exhale a long sigh, letting go of all of my stresses and anxieties and listening to these melodies of the sauna.
When you think “sauna”, what comes to mind? I envision a public gym, dried sweat, and a dark, dry, lukewarm room. Now, Duluth, MN is home to many outdoor experiences, but none I’ve ventured to try have been as soothing as Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna.
Amidst a pandemic, a heated election season, racial and cultural tensions, and your everyday stresses, it would make sense that we are experiencing elevated levels of stress. It is imperative, now more than ever, to make moves to take care of yourself.
I wasn’t sure what to expect – I’d only really experienced the aforementioned gym sauna. What was I in for with this “Nordic sauna experience” after-all? All I knew to differentiate the two was that one was wood-burning, and the other, electric.
Explorers, believe me when I say there is so much more to it than that!
Nordic Sauna History
Upon arriving, I was greeted by Justin (owner) and Sera (employee on duty). They were both so kind to provide a background of not only Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna, but Nordic saunas as a whole.
Justin is of Finnish descent, and saunas were always a part of his life. On a trip to Finland, he experienced a floating sauna where he swam in the Baltic Sea between sauna sessions. All. Day. Long. What a dream, right?!
Generally speaking, however, saunas have been a part of Finnish culture for thousands of years. Saunas have always been known for physical wellness benefits, and adored for spiritual cleansing. Births, pre-marital purification rituals, and even deaths all are known to have taken place in Finnish saunas.
See? Melodies of the sauna have long been admired!
The Sauna
If you caught my Instagram stories, you know I’m being honest with you when I say this sauna is GORGEOUS.
With the tiny house trend on the rise (anybody else OBSESSED with Tiny House Nation on Netflix?!), Justin and team really knocked this one out of the park. Teeeeeechnically…it’s a trailer, but oh my goodness, it’s beautiful!!
Features Include:
- Exposed wood fired stove
- Two-tiered seating
- Cedar-lined wall paneling
- Large floor-to-ceiling windows to show off Lake Superior in all its glory
- KOLO sauna bucket and ladle (Finnish tradition!)
- Modern Nordic Decor
Cedar & Stone even does custom builds for those who want the Finnish sauna experience at home! Interested in hiring Cedar & Stone? Take a free virtual tour of one of their custom built saunas!
How Sauna Songs Soothed my Soul
With everything that’s going on around us this year, the air is potent with toxic energies. Beyond that, my boyfriend and I just moved him across the country from Florida to Minnesota in 7 days! My body ached, my soul was a bag of bricks, and I was sleep deprived and scrambled.
Justin and Sera immediately sensed my frantic state. They offered me locally–sourced herbal tea from The Snooty Fox, and explained the history of Finnish saunas to me.
Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna is a relaxing experience for many reasons beyond the obvious:
- The 180-degree heat forced me to separate from my phone and be present in the moment.
- Melodies of the sauna filled my ears and allowed me to sink into somewhat of a meditative state.
- Gorgeous views of the North shore allowed me to connect with nature. I was reminded that life, much like water, is ever-flowing.
- The swirling steam kept the air moist (unlike that dry hotel sauna) and provided mesmerizing patterns that distracted my brain from its anxieties.
- A cool rinse between steam sessions was extraordinarily liberating, leading me to feel my anxieties literally wash away.
- Essential oils filling the warm air relieved sinus pressure, muscular aches, and left me feeling light and bright.
All-in-all, whether you’re looking to recover from an athletic injury or relieve stress this fall, consider a trip to Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna! Not only is autumn in Duluth completely dreamy, but there are tons of things you can do on the North Shore. Make a weekend out of it and enjoy some time alone or with a loved one!
Sauna sessions are quickly going to become a part of my self-care routine. I hope you consider doing the same!
