ENHANCE YOUR SAUNA EXPERIENCE

If you have already had opportunities to experience the near infrared sauna, you may know all the benefits. But in case you haven’t heard I’m going to share with you a few highlights of the benefits of the near infrared sauna and then, I’m going to share some tips with you to get even more out of your sauna session.

• Boosts metabolism;
• Recharges mitochondria
• Stimulates white blood cell production;
• Reduces body fat;
• Promotes cell regeneration;
• Increases energy;
• Reduces inflammation within the body;
• Improves circulation within the body;
• Heals wounds faster;
• Faster recovery time after working out;
• Provides pain relief;
• Rejuvenates the skin;
• Lessens joint and muscle pain;
• Improves flexibility
• Provides anti-aging benefits to your body

You can enhance your sauna experience with these tips:

Dry Brushing
​Dry Brush your skin just before entering the sauna (bring your brush with you!). Benefits of Dry Brushing:
1. Lymphatic Support: The lymphatic system is a major part of the body’s immune system. It is made up of organs and lymph nodes, ducts, and vessels that transport lymph throughout the body. Many of these lymph vessels run just below the skin. Proponents of dry brushing claim that brushing the skin regularly helps stimulate the normal lymph flow within the body and helps the body detoxify itself naturally.
2. Exfoliation: This benefit is often noticed the first time a person dry brushes. The process of running a firm, natural bristled brush over the skin helps loosen and remove dead skin cells, naturally exfoliating skin. I noticed less dry skin and much softer skin in the first few days and weeks after dry skin brushing. My skin has stayed soft thanks to this built-in way to exfoliate.
3. Clean Pores (& Smaller Pores!): The added benefit of exfoliating the skin is clearing oil, dirt, and residue from the pores. Use a smaller, gentler dry brush for the face (don’t use the stiffer body brush here… ouch!).
4. Reduces Cellulite: Though the evidence is anecdotal, There have been many accounts of people who claimed that regular dry brushing greatly helps to reduce cellulite. There isn’t much research to back the cellulite claims, but dry brushing feels great and makes skin softer, so there isn’t really any downside to trying it!5. Natural Energy Boost: I wouldn’t recommend dry brushing at night but it is great in the morning. One theory is that because it increases circulation, it also increases energy.
Selecting a Dry BrushChoose a firm, natural bristle brush with a long handle, which allows you to reach your entire back and easily brush the bottoms of your feet and the backs of your legs.

How to Dry Brush: Dry brushing can be done daily over the whole body, preferably in the morning before showering. Start with a gentle brush and soft pressure. Work up to a firmer brush and more firm pressure over time.
Here’s How to Dry Brush the Skin:

1. Starting at the feet, I brush the bottoms of my feet and up my legs in long, smooth strokes. I typically brush each section of skin 10 times. For lymph flow, I always brush toward the heart/chest area where the lymph system drains.
2. As a good rule of thumb, always brush toward the center of the body.
3. Repeat the same process with the arms, starting with the palms of the hands and brushing up the arm toward the heart. Again, I brush each section of skin 10 times.
4. On the stomach and armpits, brush in a circular clockwise motion.
5. I then repeat the process on my abdomen and back, and then switch to my face with the more delicate brush.

Note: Don’t brush too hard! A soft and smooth stroke often works best. My skin is slightly pink after brushing, but it should never be red or sting. If it hurts at all, use less pressure.

Music/Sounds

I recommend brining your phone into the sauna and putting it on airplane mode so you are not tempted to check facebook, emails, texts etc. But bring your phone in for music. You favorite music is always a good idea. However, my recommendation is for music that has been proven to calm the mind and nervous system! This music is called Binaural Beats.
​Fast facts on binaural beats:

• Proponents of binaural beats therapy liken the effect to that of meditation.
• Binaural beats therapy is a self-help audio technology that is available to buy worldwide.
• There is a range of binaural beats available, each having a specific purpose.
• People should use binaural beats therapy when there are no distractions.
• More research is needed, but there is some existing research to support its use
• reduced stress
• reduced anxiety
• increased focus
• increased concentration
• increased motivation
• increased confidence
• deeper meditation
• improved psychomotor performance and mood

Binaural beats therapy requires a person to listen to different sound frequencies for a set amount of time, without any distractions, and in a comfortable space.
How do binaural beats work?
Research has shown that when a person listens to binaural beats for a recommended time, their levels of arousal change.
Researchers believe these changes occur because the binaural beats activate specific systems within the brain. An electroencephalogram (EEG) that recorded the electrical brain activity of people listening to binaural beats showed that the effect on a person's body varied according to the frequency pattern used.

The four known categories of frequency pattern include:

• Delta patterns: Binaural beats in the delta pattern are set at a frequency of between 0.1 and 4 Hz, which is associated with dreamless sleep.
• Theta patterns: Binaural beats in the theta pattern are set at a frequency of between 4 and 8 Hz, which is associated with sleep in the rapid eye movement or REM phase, meditation, and creativity.
• Alpha pattern: Binaural beats in the alpha pattern are set at a frequency of between 8 and 13 Hz, which may encourage relaxation.
• Beta pattern: Binaural beats in the beta pattern are set at a frequency of between 14 Hz and 100 Hz, which may help promote concentration and alertness. However, this frequency can also increase anxiety at the higher end of the frequency range

Amazon Music has a few great tracks for Binaural Beats that I use. They can also be found on iTunes and other music apps. Send me a message if you’d like my picks!

Meditation

It’s best to take the time during your sauna session to just relax. I know some people like to read while in the sauna and that’s ok! The sauna is not the time for catching up on emails, texts, or phone calls. Give yourself that 20+ minutes to relax. Practice breathing exercise. Practice calming and clearing your mind. Focus on the heating of your body and how your body feels. Focus on the sweat as it begins to bead and then, roll down your skin. Listen to your body.

Take Your Time

After your timer beeps, don’t just jump out and get dressed. Take your time cooling down.
When the timer signals the end of your session, I recommend opening the sauna, but stay inside. Move the stool to the side and sit on your towel on the floor. Take your time to wipe the sweat from your body. As you are wiping your sweat focus on those areas where you may be having problems (i.e. that sore neck, achy back, bad knee) and while you are wiping your sweat, visualize wiping away all the aches, pains, and problems. Slowly cool down. Get out of the sauna (don’t forget to turn off the light;) and wipe yourself down one more time, before you either shower off or put your clothes back on. It is important to cool your body slowly as not to create oxidative stress, but also to avoid getting a headache from the extreme temperature changes.

And to add to the enhancement of your sauna session, I have included in the sauna an ionizer, which creates negative ions to clean the air during your session. The ionizers main function is to purify the air and kill odor causing bacteria. Inside a sauna, keeping the air fresh is critical because of the heat and perspiration. Without purifying the air inside the sauna after usage, the sauna can get stuffy and smell bad. Also, inside the sauna is a Himalayan salt lamp which also produces negative ions which are electronically charged molecules made of oxygen (created in nature by wind, sunlight, rainstorms, the surf.) Effective in eliminating indoor pollutants, negative ions are known to speed healing and bring relief to such health conditions as migraines, sinus and lung conditions, among others.

If you haven’t had a chance to experience the sauna yet, send me a message and we can set up an appointment!