The key concern for many is the effect of heat and the temporary fever that sauna bathing induces and whilst there is a wealth of research relating to hyperthermia during pregnancy, few, if any, relate directly to current sauna bathing practices.

The key findings which bridge the possible gap are derived from research specifically looking at the relationship between fever (caused by internal biological response mechanisms through infection) and feotal development or miscarriage. The studies all broadly concluded that high fever during the first trimester could possibly, particularly during the first 6 weeks, create a slightly higher risk of nueral tube defects leading to congenital issues such as spina bifida.

It is worth noting that the temperature increase induced by sauna bathing raises core temperature, on average, by less than 1 degree and that the duration of time spent in a sauna during pregnancy is suggested to be no longer than 5-10 minutes so the key difference between externally induced fever (via the sauna) or internally induced (through infection or other biological processes) is the duration and temperature differences experienced.

One of the few published research pieces on sauna bathing during pregnancy was assessed and can be found in a 1979 edition of the British Medical Journal where the sauna bathing practices of Finnish women during pregnancy were investigated to assess a possible correlation between sauna induced hyperthermia and the instances of congenital abnormalities. It was concluded that sauna bathing had no ill effects in this group of women nor could they establish a scientific reason for finnish women to discontinue their usual bathing practices.  An important factor was noted on the historical context of traditions in sauna bathing rituals where regular sauna visits were a regular part of cultural  practices.

So, where does this leave the unanswered questions surrounding sauna bathing during pregnancy?  As with all health related issues is it is for the individual to firstly assess their own personal medical history and current sate of wellbeing.  Stage of pregnancy should be taken into account, exercising restraint or caution during the first trimester.  Blood Pressure can fall, body temperature will raise naturally and nauseous feelings may continue throughout inducing feeling of dizziness and lightheadedness and so sauna bathing under such circumstances is ill advised due to risk of fainting and vomiting. It is also wise to avoid sauna bathing during pregnancy if it not a regular part of your routine.

Sauna bathing during pregnancy is yet to become part of our cultural norms here in the UK but is rarely questioned in countries where there is a long history of regular sauna practices but that is not to say that we shouldn’t question or assess the risks. Our advice is  to talk to your GP, obstetrician or midwife first, then if you are in good health and are a usual sauna bather, the health promoting benefits of the sauna should continue throughout   – just remember to take a friend or partner with you for support, stay only for 5-10 minutes or less if you feel uncomfortable and take regular sips of caffeine free fluids to keep you fully hydrated.

Our olfactory system is finely tuned to detect volatile chemical components in the air, translating them to chemical and electrical signals within the brain. Forming part of the limbic system, our olfactory bulb communicates these messenger signals directly to both the emotional centre (the amygdala), and the hipocampus (associated learning) to create either a new smell association or works to trigger a conditioned response to a scent previously encountered.

It is these conditioned responses which have us responding either positively – inducing feelings of pleasure, enjoyment, relaxation, happiness etc or negatively creating a sense of repulsion, dread, unhappiness. The memories associated with scent can be subliminal in nature producing only a perceived emotional response but in reality, it is the subconscious mechanism tying emotion, association and conditioning together to create the physical and psychological responses we encounter.

The link between memory and odour is incredibly strong as demonstrated when we encounter smells from childhood; the ever familiar scent of lavender may remind some of us of a much loved great aunt whilst others a strongly disliked distant relative, the emotional response experienced is created by the conditioned responses encountered much earlier in life. Our brain processes odours in such a way as to be indelibly printed, never to be lost, even when the source of conditioning to such odours has long been forgotten.

Scent is in itself a powerful tool for inducing a state of calm relaxation or for delivering an energy boosting pick me up when needed, so it no surprise that our use of herbs, flowers and oils to enhance the sauna and steam bathing process has a long standing history.

High quality naturally derived essences and oil concentrates used within the sauna and steam room create not only a mood enhancing environment but can have physiological benefits too.

With Autumn now in full swing essences such Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint and Eucalyptus will be beneficial in staving off cold inducing germs whist clearing foggy heads and stuffy noses. However, if you are looking for alternatives to the usual seasonal essences try Sandalwood, Chamomile, Orange and Mandarin which will soothe tight chests and calm those frazzled Christmas planning nerves.

The use of essence as a tool within the bathing environment will create a welcoming and inviting space helping to enhance the mood and physical wellbeing of the bather. Talk to your clients to discover odour biases and tailor the environment to meet the needs of your guests in turn helping to create positive, mood enhancing emotional responses and those feel good connections!

Spa operation activities are centered around the delivery of services, activities and products which support, enhance and promote an overall sense of wellbeing and as the recent Spa Trend Report highlighted, for the last 25 years the vast majority of spa goers have given relaxation as the top reason for a visit to the spa.

So with our clients carefully attended to, what are we doing to support our staff, team members and colleagues in safeguarding their own mental health and that of those around them? If the answer is nothing in particular, we should be thinking again. A report released this week by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development highlights the shifting patterns of absenteeism with employers now clearly seeing a shift away from staff absence caused by back pain and RSI and instead stress related illness is now the number one reason for staff taking time off.

Here at Klafs we have long understood the importance of a happy healthy working environment and our Feel Well ethos is well established, the culture it creates helping to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the team as whole.

Family first (the F in our Feel Well Values) takes into account the need for life outside work as well as developing a sense of family here at the office which in turn creates an environment of mutual respect, support and honesty – important elements in safeguarding against stress related illness.

Our team is also encouraged to use the spa equipment regularly not only so they know the product up close and personal but because we all value the health benefits it offers. Bathing regularly gives each team member time to reflect, time to relax and a offers a big boost to mental and physical health.

Playtime and work time often collide with games and shenanigans in copious doses.  Getting to know each other outside the day to day remit provides valuable opportunity to forge connections, improve communication and creates discussions in a less formal environment.

Supporting your staff doesn’t have to take the usual shape, we are a pretty unconventional bunch here at Klafs but in developing an environment which is both productive and enjoyable means that we know our team really well in a working and non working environment and so communication and support mechanisms have been created far more easily.

Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of your team is important in any environment but for those of us in the health and wellness sector, the need to practice what we preach is certainly ever more present than in today’s social and economic climate.

This simple treatment is a cornerstone of most spa menus and in the hands of a well trained therapist you will experience a deep sense of relaxation that lasts well beyond the allocated treatment time. Choosing a suitable massage treatment is a personal decision based on your preferences and desired outcomes but here are the top three most likely to appear on a day spa treatment menu:

Swedish Massage

This full body treatment uses a combination of long rhythmic strokes, kneading, pressure and vibration techniques which warm the skin, increase circulation and helps to ease muscular tension. The treatment can be tailored to your needs offering a spectrum of experience from the lightest touch through to a more intensive muscular workout. If you are looking for additional benefits, talk to your therapist about incorporating essential oils with the swedish technique to offer a different approach to the usual light movements of a traditional Aromatherapy massage.

Ayurvedic Massage

Interpreted in many different ways depending on the day spa philosophy and the experience of the trained practitioner but this particular treatment, having roots firmly in Indian philosophy, will certainly leave you feeling lighter on your feet. You will usually experience an in-depth pre-treatment consultation, a whole body massage delivered by one or two therapists and copious amounts of warm fragrant oils. The heart of Ayurvedic philosophy creates a holistic massage treatment which will deliver deep relaxation physically and psychologically.

Indian Head Massage

A deeply relaxing massage focussing not just on the head but on the neck, back and arms using a combination of stroking, kneading and pressure techniques to gradually release upper-body tension.  This technique, whilst not treating the whole body directly, delivers many of the benefits experienced with a full body treatment and is of particular benefit to those of us spending long hours hunched in front of our screens!

Massage combines the most basic of principles – touch and time and when expertly delivered will clear the mind and relax the body, helping to reduce the effects of stress in the short and longer-term.

If you only have those short few hours to spare for a day spa visit our top tips for making the most of your time would be to pre-book a massage for later in the day, take time beforehand to relax in the sauna or steamroom, take that ‘must read’ book and leave the phone at home!

Firstly proper preparation is important.  Gather everything you might need including a swimsuit, towels, extra towels, skin products, music, a book, adequate fluids and skin pampering products.  Top of my list currently would be Klafs Honey Scrub, a large pot of Jing Peppermint Tea,  a jug of plain old tap water, my current read (Jack kerouac, on the road), large and super thick bathing robe, a couple of small pillows to get comfortable and loose fitting clothes for the journey home.

Next, take a shower.  The water should be warm enough to rinse away any cosmetics but not too hot to induce perspiration. Avoid wetting the hair. Take 5-10 minutes before stepping out then dry the whole body thoroughly.  If bathing publicly, step into dry bathing suit or swimwear.

Wrap up in your robe, take a towel or two with you and head for the sauna.  Leave your robe and a dry towel outside, taking a towel inside the sauna to sit on.  Choose a place to sit or recline and find a comfortable position.  Stay for 15-20 minutes or less depending on your comfort. You will start to perspire quite quickly, use your towel to gently pat the skin as you leave.

Head straight for the shower.  This this time take a cold, brisk shower for 5-10 minutes, thoroughly dry off and wrap up in your robe again.  Find a a lounger, chair or other comfortable, quiet space and take 20-30 minutes to relax.  You may want to read, listen to music or simply enjoy the ambient noise.  Keep hydrated by sipping tea and water regularly.

Return back to the sauna to repeat a second bathing cycle.  You may wish to apply sauna friendly cosmetics to keep skin nourished and healthy as well as feeling and smelling fabulous.  Once the second cycle is complete, repeat the cooling and relaxation phases, taking your time to enjoy ease process.

Once ready to enter the real world again, slip into loose clothes, preferably natural materials to avoid overheating or irritation.  Eat a light nutritious meal avoiding caffeine and alcohol where possible to enjoy an evening of deep and restful sleep!

Sauna bathing is an indulgent yet highly beneficial pastime creating improvements in overall health and wellbeing when done regularly. What are your top tips for enjoying the sauna bathing experience?

• Klafs was originally founded in 1928 by Erich Klafs in Stattin Germany, moving to its current home in Schwaebisch hall in1945.
• Originally, Klafs focussed on developing equipment for use in hospital or health environs, this medical bathing approach underpinning the wellness values we know and love today.
• Klafs has grown from a single site to multi site with sales branches across Germany and subsidiaries in Austria, Switzerland and Poland. They also now work with over 30 specially chosen international partners of which we here at Klafs Technical are one.
• There are over 600 employees housed at Schwaebisch hall alone working on every element from design through to build and beyond.
• Each year our team travels out to visit the Head Office team for training and conferences and after work bonding. Although, the fast and furious trip to and from the airport is pretty hair-raising given our British driving sensibilities!
• Klafs Technical are the only UK Gold Partner, in fact we are one of 6 internationally and not to blow our own trumpet too much, we also house the only UK showroom here at the office in Liverpool.
• Every Klafs sauna cabin is made to order, has it’s own set of drawings and are built at the Head Office Factory in Schwaebisch Hall.
• Environmental awareness and sustainability are not usually associated with sauna bathing and spa activities but that’s what makes Klafs different. Thee use of woods from properly managed and sustainable forests and year on year improvements in research and technology to make the spa experience greener reducing the impact on the environment.
• Quality control is an essential part of the process and every Klafs sauna will receive a triple check quality control process, only awarded RAL, VDE and GS once all elements have been checked and approved as meeting compliance.
• Dan, Co-Director of Klafs Technical is the tallest bod in the office and as such, has the ability to hide the chocolate biscuits on the top shelf. Matt on the hand is super competitive.  You will not win the office Wii competition so don’t even try. This aside, in fact these things included, are what makes the Klafs technical team a human and approachable team. We live, work and breathe wellness and knowing when to work hard and when to relax makes all the difference to how we approach you and your wellness needs.

So, we get to know some of your pretty well but is there anything unusual, unique or just simply something we don’t know about you or your company that you might like to know?  Drop us a line and make our day!

Space and location is a primary consideration prompting the need to develop your initial thoughts and plans into tangible lifestyle indicators. For some, a home spa may simply form an individual cabin used regularly for quiet indulgence whilst for others, it may take shape as a fully integrated, multi cabin facility used daily within a home gym. Taking time to assess your space and your needs creates a strong platform for effective spa planning.

Cabins and technology

Once initial considerations on space have been made, facilities and technology become the obvious next deciding factor, knowing your options is important.  Klafs cabins and technology have been  developed to offer a highly advanced user experience, combinations and options creating a bespoke home spa environment.  The basics of any home spa begin with cabin type.

Sauna is based on the principles of creating a hot and relatively dry environment with little humidity.  Typically a home sauna is a wooden construction housing two or possibly three tiered benches and a sauna stove to heat the cabin.  Klafs offer a broad range of cabins from the beautifully simple and aptly named LOUNGE sauna through to the solid wood construction of the SIGHT sauna.  Each cabin has been thoughtfully designed to offer a diverse range of options and layouts enabling you to create a personal sauna bathing experience.

Innovation is key to Klafs success and the development of SANARIUM technology has enabled the integration of varied bathing experiences within a single sauna cabin.  Working from the basic sauna principles and traditional Finnish approach, SANARIUM technology allows complete control over both heat and humidity within the cabin.  Reaching lower temperatures than a traditional sauna whilst raising levels of humidity to create a highly comfortable bathing environment.

Where a more humid experience is preferred, a steamroom should be considered.  Typically ceramic or acrylic in construction, a steamroom offers reduced levels of heat and high humidity.  Alternatively, and ideal for the home spa environment, the steam shower integrates steam technology with shower facilities.  Highly practical where space may be limited.  Klafs range of steamrooms and steam showers offer a high quality, bespoke home spa option.

Whatever decisions you make on cabin type and design, technologies will play an important part.  Klafs delivers the very best in innovative lighting, sound and cabin control to ensure that your home spa experience is unsurpassed.

Turnkey solutions

The home spa environment may not simply begin and end with a range of cabins, we know from  experience that it is highly likely that a home gym and pool may also be considered. Planning for project such as this, or indeed any home spa project, takes time and expertise so you may like to know that we offer complete solutions from planning through to delivery.  Our in-house team in conjunction with exceptional working partnerships will help you develop every aspect of your home spa experience.

If you are planning a home spa, talk to one of our team first and we will help put your ideas into action, call directly on +44 (0)845 833 6381.

Sauna @ Mont Blanc from saunamontblanc on Vimeo.

Inspect hinges , handles and door seals and repair or replace as nececessary. Loose hinges and damaged seals allow heat or moisture to escape increasing the time needed for the cabin to reach and indeed to maintain its optimum operating environment. Oil and tighten screw regularly and check seals for any signs of wear and tear.

Sauna sensors and bulbs can be subject to less than favourable water ingress from clients who are a little too vigorous with the raponsing bucket. Check weekly and keep stocks on site to avoid unnecessary cabin closures or downtime. It’s also good practice to check over the bench supports and structures, maintaining where required.  

Steam Generating equipment is easily checked, cleaned and maintained. In fact, our generators have removable key parts which require regular replacement for efficient output. How regular will depend on level of use. A cabin which runs continually for 18 hours a day, 7 days a week will require mini services quarterly while a cabin situated in private residence will need only an annual service.  

Developing a suitable routine is key. Operating an efficient maintenance schedule takes very little time yet offers long term cabin efficiency. Don’t forget to talk to our team, we are only a click or call away and can offer advice, answer those maintenance questions or send over manuals as needed.