The Power of Löyly in a Finnish Sauna

In a Finnish sauna, the secret to a perfect experience lies in the steam – called löyly in Finnish – that rises when water is thrown onto hot sauna stones. The steam increases the feeling of heat, makes you sweat, and is what truly brings the sauna to life.

In many other cultures, saunas are all about dry heat, and throwing water on the stones might not even be allowed. But in Finland, the soft, humid warmth is what makes sauna bathing so relaxing and enjoyable. When Finns discuss saunas they’ve visited, the first thing they ask is, “Was the löyly good?”

To maximize the benefits warm of steam, try sitting on different levels in the sauna – higher up for more intense heat, and lower for a milder experience.