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BODY HEAT An in-home sauna could be the self-care move to make for health and feeling good. Words by Gloria Gale
T
he bespoke benefits of sauna bathing—a form of heat therapy—aren’t new. In fact, the ancient practice has been integrated
into numerous cultures worldwide for its holistic healing properties. Especially in Scandinavian countries, the concept of a small wooden hut with a stove and bench comes to mind. Traditionally, stoves heat stones to increase the temperature; water is poured atop to create steam. Today, saunas are more often driven by advanced technology, using infrared light. Either way, the process raises the body’s core temperature to the point where it begins to sweat, releasing accumulated toxins and promoting cell turnover. TIME AND A TOWEL Like the sturdy Nordics of yesteryear, what's the best thing to do after a hard day in battle?
Renderings show the possibilities for in-home saunas. Two popular locations are the primary bathroom and home gym. Images provided by Sunlighten.
Detox and relax. And nothing's changed in commercial saunas in 1999.
the centuries since. Many modern-day Finns
market analysis, the sauna and spa market size
consider saunas—their word for "bathhouse"—a
is expected to grow from $126 billion in 2023 to
“When we started Sunlighten nearly 25 years
cultural necessity; of the five million people living
$181 billion by 2028. And Kansas City is at the
ago, no one knew or understood what we did,”
in Finland, three million own saunas. Hence, it's
forefront.
Aaron says. “Now, not only do they know, [but]
unsurprising that industries worldwide point to Finland as the leader in sauna innovation. The U.S. market is also dipping its toes into the sauna world. According to health and wellness
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Sunlighten in Overland Park has mastered the near-, mid- and far-infrared light sauna
20 to 30 percent of people we talk to have a Sunlighten sauna in their home.”
Connie
Since their inspired beginnings, Connie and
Zack developed the concept of home and
Aaron have watched the company continue to
experience.
Owners
Aaron
and
