“Few places on Earth are as deeply restorative to the soul as sauna and the sea”
SaunaGlo was founded by Katie Calcagno, who serves as its operations director.
The dream of opening a public sauna is rooted from her mission to provide help for those with anxiety. After having her second child during the early days of pandemic isolation, she believes sauna is a true healing gift for anyone, especially mothers.
As a Milwaukie High School graduate, she is proud to run a home-grown small business in the community where she’s raising her family.
Katie’s husband Michael is co-founder and serves as the caretaker.
He discovered sauna and ice baths over twenty years ago when trying to lose weight, eventually dropping 100 pounds, or 45 kilograms.
After years of using a chain fitness club’s “imitation sauna” he finally discovered what a true sauna, built to the Finnish standard, could provide.
Michael now helps others discover the rush of endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline and oxytocin that course through the body – an indescribable runner's high sensation that benefits the physical and ethereal existence.
SaunaGlo is proud to be a locally owned, family-run mom and pop sauna shop for all.
The Sauna Story
WOMAN-OWNED
BUSINESS
ENTERPRISE✓
Mission
We passionately promote sauna culture while nurturing a community of belonging.
We practice camaraderie that can channel the energetic field of friendship as we cultivate an atmosphere of kindness, connection and interdependence.
We are unassuming, honest and strive to fiercely spread this unparalleled cultural gift, sauna from Finland.
We hold hope that all people may flourish, and find their way to sauna as a means to cope with the many diverse struggles of our human experience.
Sauna Accessibility
The driving mission of SaunaGlo is to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for all to experience the power of Nordic sauna. For many sauna nerds it is essential to physically climb up to the upper bench inside the sauna, near the ceiling. Most sauna construction inherently excludes wheelchair users. People with disabilities, those who are recovering from surgery and those with balance challenges deserve upper bench access too! Our custom design features a unique riser self-lift system for enjoying the steam and heat which is strongest at the upper bench level. Additionally, our locker room, lounge, and bathroom are designed for inclusion and safety. Our main entrance is step-free and the sauna door has a clearance of 36-in / 91-cm and no threshold.
We humbly ask for feedback on how we can improve our building, do better, and continue to learn.
Sauna lovers around the globe are hosting inspired events to celebrate thermaculture. Let’s continue to grow our movement. We have dreams for hosting our own gathering right here in Oregon, but we need your help.