{"id":128514,"date":"2024-08-21T11:22:55","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T11:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elamusspa.rktv.ee\/estonias-best-aufguss-sauna-masters-have-been-chosen\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T15:12:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T15:12:27","slug":"estonias-best-aufguss-sauna-masters-have-been-chosen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elamusspa.rktv.ee\/en\/estonias-best-aufguss-sauna-masters-have-been-chosen\/","title":{"rendered":"PHOTOS AND VIDEOS: Estonia’s best Aufguss sauna masters have been chosen"},"content":{"rendered":"

From 26 to 28 July, Elamus SPA hosted for the first time the sauna masters’ Aufguss championships, combining sauna, aromas and theatre, where 22 performances could be seen over three days. During the event the best sauna master and team were chosen to represent Estonia at the world championships in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

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Photos: Kaido Parv<\/em><\/p>\n

Nine competitors measured their skills at the sauna masters’ championships held in Elamus SPA’s newly opened ritual sauna, which seats 100 bathers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Photo: Kaido Parv<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The masters competed for the right to represent Estonia in the individual and team categories at the annual Aufguss world championships held in September in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

What is Aufguss?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Aufguss is a style of sauna ritual originating in Italy, in which the performer, the sauna master, uses towels to move the air current in order to spread heat and aroma in the sauna. This ritual is growing in popularity all over the world, combining sauna culture and performing art. The aim of the style is to offer bathers a unique and memorable experience, in which the sauna master performs a 12\u201315-minute story in a 70-degree sauna using theatre art, costumes, music, aroma oils, towel and fan techniques and visual effects.<\/p>\n

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Sauna ritual. Photo: Kaido Parv<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Photos: Kaido Parv<\/em><\/p>\n

Already familiar with Estonian sauna culture from earlier times, the vice-president of the Aufguss association Lasse Eriksen<\/strong> described the feelings the competition evokes: \u201eYou are undressed. You do not have the shield that is usually around you, and that makes you emotionally vulnerable. You feel scents and heat that create an interesting feeling, and then you see a story, a beautiful performance. All of this together, and the energy inside you, take you on a journey.\u201d<\/p>\n