Heritage Sauna Academy
— sauna healer training
Sauna healer training
is for those who want to experience the enriching and rejuvenating sauna heritage and understand these practices beyond the surface.
Training
The training consist of theoretical studies held at a log cabin located amidst the beauty of the Sipoonjokilaakso nature, as well as practical training in sauna work at the traditional smoke sauna by the Sipoonjoki River and in the healing sauna Lovi.
The training includes supervised and guided customer treatment practice during the public sauna sessions. The training follow the traditional way of learning, which is learning by experience and hands-on guidance. This training offers a rich blend of knowledge and hands-on experience, providing you with all the necessary tools to start your own journey as a sauna caretaker.
Join us on this journey to explore the essence of sauna bathing. Register for the training and embark with us on this profound experience.
Retreats
We want to offer you the opportunity to take a moment away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in the ancient healing practices of sauna.
What do you need? Just arrive at the airport – we’ll take care of the rest. We arrange transportation, meals, and accommodation for you in cozy double rooms in the beautiful Joensuun tila manor nearby. You can forget all your worries and let us take care of you.
Our retreat program is designed to offer you a diverse experience that nourishes both your health as well as your eagerness to learn about the Finnish sauna tradition. In the peaceful atmosphere, constant guidance of the sauna healers and support of the group, you are safe to explore the wast wisdom of the sauna heritage.
Our days are filled with theoretical training, providing you with new knowledge and insights. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the secrets of saunarituals and mythology, traditional finnish vihta treatments, herbal and natural remedies at sauna and enjoy the gentle steam of the smoke sauna. The relaxation is complemented by the opportunity to bathe in our hot tub in good company.
"Knowlege is just rumor until it lives in the muscle"
Brenee Brown.
We want you to go home with a deep rooted experience that is backed up with theoretical understanding. The retreat is a beginning for your sauna heritage journey. We will be there to guide you as the price includes 6 months of distance support. That means you can approach us with all your questions that come up when you practice sauna healing at your home and everyday life.
Once a month private online q&a with the Sipoonjoki Heritagesauna saunahealers will help you to take to practice all you have learned at the retreat.
Schedule
The training consists of three separate modules. Each module begins on Monday with a communal sauna ceremony and concludes on Thursday evening.
Rough schedule of the retreat week:
Monday
14 -> Welcoming seremony
19 -> Dinner
Thuesday – Thurday
7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast
9:00 – 12:00 Studies
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 18:30 Sauna training
19:00 – 20:00 Dinner
20:00 – 22:00 Evening social gathering
Friday
7:30 – 8:30 Studies and conclusion
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 Transportation to the airport or Helsinki city.
For sauna apprentices the week continues working along with the sauna healers for the entire week end.
Pricing
Individual retreat 1500 € / 5 days
Including 6 months distance guidance and monthly private q&a session with the sauna healers + join the online community of heritage saunahealers for life.
Whole training 4200 € / 15 days ( three reatreats )
Including 1 year distance guidance and monthly private q&a sessions with the sauna healers + join the online community of heritage saunahealers for life.
All retreats include accommodation in twin rooms, instruction, necessary materials, all meals including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, sauna beverages, and transportation from the airport to the accommodation and between accommodation and the sauna.
Sauna Apprentice training + 500 € / 1500 €
Retreat + 3 day training in practice. Ask for more information!
The single occupancy room surcharge is an additional +200€.
A spot in the retreat is reserved by paying a reservation fee (200 €).
Course content
First reatreat 20th to 24th of October 2025
Intro To The Finnish Sauna
- Sauna physics and metaphysics
- Saunahealing abc – selfcare – theory and practice
- History and cultural heritage of finnish sauna
- Experience finnish smoke sauna ritual
Second retreat 9th to 13th of February 2026
Sauna Healing
- Operating in sauna
- Löyly, the steam of life
- Vihta's, sauna whisks
- Three levels of human anatomy
- Saunaritual
Third retreat 22th to 26th of June 2026
Finnish Forrest and Sauna
- Gifts of the forrest
- Mythology
- Practical usage of traditional healing – abc of healing work in theory and practice
- Plants in sauna – experience forest sauna
- Learn how to host forest sauna ritual
Instructors
Laura Foon
Sauna-Akka, also known as Laura Foon, is an experienced sauna healer, an expert in Baltic-Finnish culture, and a trained massage therapist.
In her sauna sessions, Laura draws from the world of mythology through spells and rituals, bringing the wisdom of Baltic-Finnish traditions to be experienced and enjoyed by contemporary individuals.
Laura serves as a sauna healing practitioner and main teacher at the Sipoonjoki Heritage sauna. She also hosts the Saunan Naiset, Spirit of Sauna, and Tietäjä podcasts.
Joonas Vaarala
Joonas Vaarala is a sauna and podcast host, sauna healer, and trained massage therapist.
For years, Joonas has been hosting the Havuhattu podcast, where he explores themes related to sauna along with topics such as Baltic-Finnish mythology, depth psychology, and ecology.
In addition to sauna, Joonas is passionate about hiking in wilderness areas, fishing, and cycling
Otto Kronqvist
Otto Kronqvist is a sauna and podcast host as well as a yoga teacher.
He is known for his work on the Havuhattu, Joogaradio, and Spirit of Sauna podcasts.
Otto works as the host of the Sipoonjoki traditional sauna and also trains yoga teachers at the Shakta Yoga School teacher training program.
With a background in philosophy and social history, Otto has over a decade of solid experience in entrepreneurship in the wellness industry.
Saara Mäntykoski
Saara is the hostess of the Sipoonjoki traditional sauna, a sauna healing practitioner, a teacher, and a Forest Mind instructor.
She organizes women’s events at the Sipoonjoki traditional sauna and co-hosts the Saunan Naiset podcast with Laura.
Contact us!
- savusauna@saunotus.fi
- 010 299 2866
- Hindsbyntie 124, 04130 Sipoo, Finland
