Reflections from World Sauna Forum 2025

By Katie Calcagno

About 5,000 miles from Portland, there I stood with steam floating off my shoulders as I embraced the incredible natural beauty of Finland after a sauna session. In the company of the most warm and welcoming people, it was a special life-affirming moment I’ll cherish forever.

Our small group was visiting a cluster of 24 historic saunas in the Smoke Sauna Village near the town of Jämsä, the most extensive collection of Finnish smoke saunas anywhere on Earth.

To experience an ancient wisdom, enjoy the culture of Finland, and experience this place was awe-inspiring to say the least.

I felt a profound sense of peace and mental clarity, awash in deep belonging that’s hard to describe — to be joining this extraordinary community of true-hearted humans with open arms. It was a life-changing experience.

This was just one part of the World Sauna Forum, an annual conference for leaders in the sauna ecosystem where I had the honor to join more than 400 of my peers, with more than 32 counties represented. I enjoyed ~15 sauna sessions each day! 🥵

Amid inspiring sauna veterans, ambassadors, authors and influencers, I was shocked that our humble sauna spot in my hometown of Milwaukie, Oregon drew such interest and recognition: I was beyond honored, and nervous, when they asked me to share my story — watch the video now

For thousands of years, generations of Finns have passed on the beautiful cultural legacy of sauna. We painstakingly crafted SaunaGlo as a love letter to this heritage — my husband’s Finnish ancestors immigrated to America in the late 1800’s — and we have deep intention that our two children carry forth this enduring light.

Many thanks to the WSF organizers, Sauna from Finland, and the kind-hearted Alan Jalasjaa.

My biggest take-away from the journey:

The firm belief that sauna as a ritual has the ability to connect deeply to one's soul and spirit. Sauna is not about duration. Not about competition. It’s not about besting your time or someone else's. Sauna is not one size fits all. It’s not about optimizing the thermal cycle — while the Finns do love a cold dip. Finnish sauna, the practice that has been around for at least 9,000 years, is about honest and real connection.

“You will be hard-pressed to find another human activity that combines the physical, social, and spiritual under one roof.” —Mikkel Aaland, author (ref.)

Connection to yourself. Connection to others. To nature. To the past and future. To something beyond definition.

While we as a collective human society continue to struggle with many challenges before us, sauna is a genuine, time-honored path forward, when done with intention and purpose.

I could write an essay on my journey, but I’ll leave it here for now. We hope you enjoy some of the photos below, and please consider signing up for our sauna-lovers sauna party in August where I’ll be happy to share about the experience in-person.

Thanks for reading!

With friendship, Katie

p.s. BIG BIG BIG news to announce soon!