Ancient rituals reimagined: how sauna ceremonies can heal modern lives

Finnish expert reveals sauna as a transformative space for mind, body and soul at international wellness summit

As Estonia welcomed the HOLOLIFE Summit 2025 Europe in Tallinn last weekend, a packed audience gathered to hear an impassioned presentation on an unexpected topic: the spiritual power of sauna. Dan Kukushkin, a master of sauna ceremonies and creator of the SAUNA TEMPLE concept, made a compelling case for transforming an ordinary sauna session into a sacred ritual that heals both body and soul.

"Sauna is not only a place for washing yourself; it can be a healing place, a temple and sacred space where body and soul can be healed," Kukushkin told attendees during his Saturday session at the three-day wellness summit.

Reclaiming ancient wisdom

Drawing from childhood experiences in rural Finland, Kukushkin described how traditional sauna practices once served as the centerpiece of family and community life. His presentation, "Sauna as a Soul Temple: Make Your Own Sauna Ceremony," traced how these rituals have been largely forgotten in modern times.

"We had two saunas. One was a smoke sauna, one was a regular sauna," Kukushkin recalled of his early years. "Our sauna was compulsory on Saturday. Everybody knows that sauna on Saturday was properly prepared. My grandmother was cooking really delicious food. Because after sauna, all our big family was sitting around the table and eating. It was a pure event."

These community rituals, according to Kukushkin, created spaces not just for physical cleansing but for emotional honesty and authentic connection – something increasingly rare in our digital age.

Beyond physical benefits

While acknowledging the well-documented physical benefits of sauna – detoxification, improved circulation, muscle relaxation, and support for cardiovascular and respiratory health – Kukushkin emphasized that these are merely the beginning.

The true power of sauna, he suggested, emerges when we approach it as a meditative practice. His SAUNA TEMPLE concept reimagines traditional sauna structures with circular, womb-like designs that enhance sound resonance and create a sense of safety.

"After each sauna ceremony, you reach a beautiful zero state where your mind is clear, your body is clear, and everything is possible," he explained. "You see all the perspectives, but you are really careful: you listen to yourself, and you can choose your path."

Creating your own ceremony

For those looking to transform their sauna experience, Kukushkin offered practical guidance that challenged several common misconceptions.

"Don't chase the heat," he advised, countering the competitive "survival" mentality that often surrounds sauna use. "Sauna is a pleasant place where you relax, feel cozy and comfortable."

He recommended maintaining temperatures around 60°C with 60% humidity – noting that excessive heat above 80°C actually triggers stress responses that interfere with the body's natural detoxification processes.

Other key recommendations included:

• Using natural sauna whisks made from various trees and herbs for their healing properties
• Wearing protective headwear to prevent overheating the brain
• Drinking warm (not cold) water or electrolytes after sessions
• Maintaining impeccable cleanliness in the space
• Using one's voice through singing or toning to deepen the experience

A space for truth and connection

Perhaps most intriguing was Kukushkin's assertion about the psychological effects of sauna environments. "You cannot lie in sauna," he stated confidently. "Try it. Imagine you are sitting in sauna and there's someone in front of you... you are not able to lie in sauna. It's a sacred space. You always tell the truth because you are in your heart."

This truth-inducing quality makes sauna an ideal setting for important conversations and relationship repair, he suggested.

The BMS engineer-developer, who is also working on a book titled "The Sauna as a Temple of the Soul," emphasized that one's mindset is crucial. "Never touch each other—or yourself—while you are not clean enough in your mind," he cautioned. "If you have some stress, work, breathe, until everything is gone from your head, then you can touch someone."

Growing momentum

Kukushkin expressed optimism about the renaissance of sauna culture, noting growing trends of alcohol-free sauna experiences and families incorporating children into gentle sauna rituals. He also celebrated the increasing presence of saunas in wellness retreats worldwide.

As the HOLOLIFE Summit continues to explore holistic approaches to well-being through Sunday, Kukushkin's message resonated with attendees seeking both ancient wisdom and practical tools for modern living.

"Make sauna, not war," he concluded, suggesting that perhaps these simple rituals could offer something profound that our disconnected world desperately needs – a warm space where pretense falls away and authentic healing can begin.

Frequently asked questions

What is a sauna ceremony?

Dan Kukushkin's proposal for turning an ordinary sauna session into a sacred ritual that heals body and soul. Drawing on childhood in rural Finland, where his family had both a smoke sauna and a regular one, he argued that sauna is not only a place for washing.

What is the biggest mistake sauna users make?

Chasing the heat. Kukushkin countered the competitive survival mentality directly: sauna is a pleasant place where you relax and feel cozy and comfortable, not an endurance contest. His SAUNA TEMPLE concept reimagines the structure itself with circular, womb-like designs.

Why does he say you cannot lie in a sauna?

Kukushkin claims the environment itself makes dishonesty difficult, and invited the audience to test it by imagining sitting opposite someone in the heat. He treats that as the social value of sauna, beyond detoxification, circulation and muscle relaxation.

About the event

This recap is part of the HOLOLIFE Summit 2025 Europe series, recorded in Tallinn on 14 and 15 June 2025. Read the summary of the whole event or join the next edition, HOLOLIFE Summit 2026 Amsterdam, on 14 and 15 November 2026.