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SaunaPlanet

Guide for beginners

Session, Aufguss, ceremony: what is the difference?

All three are visits to a sauna. They differ in who leads them, how hot it gets and how much happens. If it is your first time, start with a regular session or a gentle ceremony.

Three kinds

  • Session

    A regular round in the sauna. You go in when you like, stay as long as it feels good and leave to cool down. A session can also be led by a sauna master at a fixed time.

    • Usually 70–100 °C, you choose the bench height
    • Usually 8–15 minutes
    • Most often included in the entry fee

  • Aufguss

    A sauna master pours scented water over the stones and fans the hot air around the cabin with a towel. Intense and aromatic.

    • Usually 80–100 °C, with waves of heat
    • Usually 10–15 minutes, at a fixed time
    • Included in the entry fee or for a surcharge

  • Ceremony

    A calm ritual with herbs, salt, honey or music. Less heat, more storytelling and rest.

    • Usually 60–80 °C, gentle
    • Usually 15–25 minutes, sometimes with sign-ups
    • Often for a surcharge; the venue states the price

Comparison

Typical values. The venue always gives the details for each session or event.
KindLed byTemperatureDurationFor a first time
SessionNobody or a sauna master70–100 °C8–15 minYes, start on the lower bench
AufgussA sauna master80–100 °C10–15 minBetter after a few visits
CeremonyA sauna master60–80 °C15–25 minYes, if it is gentle; check the description

A first visit: how it goes

  1. Shower and dry off

    A warm shower, then dry yourself well. Dry skin starts to sweat sooner.

    3 min

  2. Go in with a towel

    Spread the towel so your whole body, feet included, rests on it. Start on the lower bench.

    right away

  3. A round in the sauna

    8–12 minutes. If it gets too hot, simply leave. Nobody is counting.

    8–12 min

  4. Cool down

    A cold shower or a plunge, from the feet up. Breathe calmly.

    1–2 min

  5. Rest

    Sit or lie down in the quiet zone and drink water or tea.

    15–20 min

  6. Repeat

    Two or three rounds are plenty for a first evening.

    2–3 times

Do you have a heart or circulation condition, high blood pressure, are you pregnant or feeling unwell? Ask a doctor before you go into a sauna. If you feel dizzy in the sauna, leave right away.

Pick something gentle

Browse the events and choose a ceremony or a session with a sauna master who explains everything.

Show events

Good manners

  • Quiet. In the sauna we whisper or say nothing.
  • Doors. Do not walk in during an Aufguss or a ceremony. Come in before it starts.
  • Towel. Always under your whole body.
  • Zone. Textile-free means without swimwear. The venue says so at the entrance and on its page.
  • Phone. Leave it in the locker room.

What to bring, textile and textile-free saunas, questions before a first visit: First time in a sauna?