Why We Build with Michigan White Cedar When I started building saunas, I wanted to understand everything—the heat, the steam, the materials. That curiosity took me to Finland, where I sat in century-old saunas and learned from people who've been doing this their whole lives. But here's something interesting: they...
Kids and the Sauna: A Family Guide When I traveled to Finland, one of the most striking things I noticed was how naturally kids were part of sauna culture. Toddlers running around the dock, jumping in the lake, then padding back into the warmth with their parents. It wasn't precious...
Some people just hop in cold water. Clean, quick, no hesitation. Other people scream and run away. Are these people physically different? Is there something in their biology that makes cold water tolerable for one person and torture for another? No. The difference isn't in their bodies. It's entirely in...
People ask me random questions about cold plunging and sauna all the time. It's similar to what happens with my wife—she's a nurse, and the moment someone finds out, they've got a question for her. I've literally watched strangers ask her to look at a rash at a barbecue. With...
There's been a lot of inconsistent messaging around infrared saunas lately, and some companies are being downright misleading. They're taking the health benefits documented in traditional sauna studies and implying you'll get the same results from infrared. That's just not how physiology works, and it's worth clearing up. What Your...
After years of building saunas and countless hours learning from Finnish masters, I've discovered that the heart of any great sauna isn't just the stove—it's how that stove works with the rocks surrounding it. Why Rock Coverage Matters The heating elements in electric sauna stoves reach scorching temperatures around 1500°F,...
Two Years In: A Customer's Daily Sauna Journey Ryan was one of the first customers, and nearly two years later, he's still firing up his Nightjar sauna nearly every day. I caught up with him to hear how this wellness routine has become an essential part of his life. The...
Whenever I tell people that I'm opening a Nordic-style sauna and cold plunge spa, one of the first questions I get is: "Are people going to be naked?" The question always comes with a mix of curiosity, concern, and sometimes nervous laughter. It's a perfect window into how deeply our...
The difference between a good sauna experience and an extraordinary one often comes down to what happens long before the first puff of steam rises from the stones. After years of building, installing, and using saunas—from my first gym experiences to traveling to Finland to understand authentic sauna culture—I've learned...
The Finland Revelation Tampere, Finland—the birthplace of the sauna and the sauna capital of the world. World-class saunas dot the entire city, each one a masterclass in what this ancient practice should really feel like. I was invited by Marti to his sauna down by the lake. Around 8 PM,...
How a nation built on thermal wellness rediscovered its roots The Golden Age We Forgot Long before people got back into health after COVID, America was a thermal therapy nation. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, thousands flocked to places like Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Saratoga Springs, New York....
When my wife and I step into our sauna together, we have our ritual. She settles onto the middle bench where the temperature hovers around a comfortable 160°F, while I climb to the top tier where it's pushing 190°F. We're sharing the same space, breathing the same cedar-scented air, but...
How a gym routine led to a Finnish pilgrimage—and the discoveries that transformed our understanding of authentic sauna. The Bottom Line Up Front: Most people have never experienced a proper sauna. What You'll Discover: • Why indoor saunas wage a losing war against your home's HVAC system—and the mold risks...
When we decided to visit Finland to understand authentic sauna culture, we stayed with several Finnish friends who graciously opened their homes to us. What we discovered completely changed how we think about indoor versus outdoor saunas in America. What We Learned in Finland Our friend Antti has a beautiful...
The Night Joe Finally Slept In: A Sauna Sleep Story In the world of early risers, my buddy Joe is practically legendary. The man's internal clock has been permanently set to 4:30 AM after years of pre-dawn produce shifts. Even after leaving Chicago (and the amorous alley dwellers that drove...
Using HSA Funds for Your Nightjar Sauna: Investing in Home Wellness Wondering if your Health Savings Account (HSA) could help fund a Nightjar Sauna? Here's what you need to know about HSA eligibility, contribution strategies, and the growing investment in home wellness solutions. HSA Eligibility for Saunas Nightjar Saunas can...
