A husband and wife team from Banbridge have recently launched the hottest, new space to relax, recover and reconnect opening hand-built The Hot Rocks Sauna in Gawley’s Gate, Armagh.
Andrea – who is originally an Armagh native – and Jacek Ramus – originally from Poland – have drawn on their passions for traditional Finnish sauna and it’s endless benefits to create an authentic sauna ritual space here in Northern Ireland.
Speaking to Armagh I, Andrea explained the concept: “Basically, when we were over in Poland we would have went and done a lot of saunas together. We have experienced different types of saunas like the more commercial end and the more rustic, so we wanted to bring something like that over here for people to experience.”
Together, they have created a “completely different experience” from that of typical leisure centre saunas that should impress even the most seasoned of sauna-goers.
Set close to the shore of Lough Neagh and built by Jacek’s own masterful hands, their fully-mobile, Finnish-style, wood-burning sauna is designed to bring users back to basics and back to nature through the embodiment of a “disconnect to reconnect” ethos.
The traditional Finnish sauna experience is an ancient practice; originating as a place of purification and cleansing, the sauna is seen as a means of providing both physical and spiritual healing.
Inspired by tradition, “rustic” The Hot Rocks Sauna encourages users to experience several popular Scandinavian and Central European sauna rituals that are lesser practiced here in NI such as ‘whisking’, using oils, hat wearing and ‘textile-free’ bathing in towel only.
Said Andrea: “It’s a slow way of using the sauna. It’s a long, slow process as most traditional sauna rituals are many hours long. Each session with us lasts an hour and in that time you go into the sauna – with your sauna hat if you’d like – and the whisks, massaging yourself with the whisks and then using a cold dip to cool down.
“Traditionally some would go after the sauna to forest bathe, laying in a forest for 10 – 15 minutes and then repeating the process again. It’s recommended to be outside the sauna for as long as you are inside so we encourage people to relax in the fresh water cold dip, use our fresh water shower or recline in our chairs.”
The ‘whisks’ Andrea refers to are made from the leaves of property-rich trees such as Birch, Oak and Hazel which are collected at certain times of the year and then dried and bound to create the whisks. The whisks are then dampened before sauna entry and used in full body self-massage, releasing an intoxicating, natural aromatherapy, improving blood circulation and replenishing the skin with essential vitamins and oils.
Andrea and Jacek understand that many of these practices are new – and perhaps daunting – to visitors. So, when you arrive at The Hot Rocks Sauna you will be given a friendly and informative introduction to the use of oils, sauna hats, whisking and repeated hot and cold water therapy – all of which are available on site.
While, they prefer to use “refreshing” oils in sauna such as orange, pomegranate and cotton they are happy for visitors to bring their own oils.
Once provided with a quick tour of the facilities, guests will then enjoy an hour long session designed to be split between 10 – 15 minutes in sauna followed by a fresh water shower, 10 -15 minutes in the cold dip or in outdoor relaxation before repeating the cycle for a final time.
However, Andrea advises: “The sauna gets up to 100 degrees but it’s mostly around 90 degrees. For us, [Andrea and Jacek] because we sauna all the time, anything less than 80 is cold now. It’s recommended to be in for 15 minutes but it’s very individual. You have to listen to your body. We use the sauna hats which helps to insulate your head from the heat and that enables you to stay in longer.
“We also have a timer in the sauna set to 15 minutes, but listen to your own body and if you’re body is saying you can only stick it for five or six minutes then come out, chill down, relax, have a bottle of water, use the cold dip and come back in. It’s your session, so work it whatever way suits you best.”
Aside from relaxation, Andrea says there is an impressive list of benefits to be gained from regular sauna use, including “instant mood elevation, better sleep, cardiovascular improvements, respiratory improvements, it can help fight chronic pain and fatigue and has been known to improve skin conditions such as mild eczema.”
In preparation for your appointment, Andrea provides some helpful advice: “Bring at least two towels, one to sit on while you’re in the sauna, to protect you from the sauna and the sauna from you, and another to dry off with.
“We also like water shoes or flip-flops for coming out of the sauna and moving around the area and we would advise people to remove any jewellery as this can heat up and burn you.
“Also don’t forget to bring water for hydration. We do provide bottled water, the use of flip-flops, towels and hats at no extra cost but supplies are limited.”
The Hot Rocks Sauna welcomes bookings from individuals, groups and parties for up to ten people at a time and – as the sauna is mobile – they also welcome invitation to private events.
Communal and private sessions (suitable for those wishing to go textile-free) are available and can be booked via The Hot Rocks Sauna website here.
Once booked you will receive a confirmation with a reminder of what to bring and how to prepare for your session.
Sessions are currently available Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday every second weekend.
