Sauna-À-Go-Go

"It has been the fate of few things to suffer greater distortion and dramatization than has the Finnish Sauna since it was "discovered" by publicists from abroad and turned into a good story about a kind of pagan ritual, where naked people birch each other in the almost demonic atmosphere of glowing fire and intolerable heat. In reality a Finnish Sauna is something quite different. It is a place designed for quiet relaxation, developed naturally many hundreds years ago as a simple means of recreation by the Finns, living a hard and arduois life in a severe climate. Over the years the Sauna has become less primitive and more comfortable, but the principles and the characteristics of unwinding the tensions of both phusical and mental strain have remained unaltered. The Sauna is often spoen of, abroad as a Steam Bath, when in fact it is the opposite. Its dry heat stimulates the blood circulation, and also a free perspiration, while the warmth sooths sore muscles and the increased metabolism elimites aches and pains. It brings a relaxation of the whole body, giving aluxurious feeling of carefree satisfaction and cententment that only experience can describe. Sauna before bed banishes insomnia. But a Sauna is something far more than this, especially if situated outdoors, for it contributes so much to the better use of leisure hours. An evening of relaxation, shared with friends, followed by a nice cool drink for the thirst and an informal meal, perhaps preparated at the fireside, is what it makes possible. It may be a cleansing process; a weight reducer; and a healthy and stimulating process, but to those who have a Sauna however small, in their own homes it soon becomes almost a way of life; an enjoyable and unique activity." Liner notes also in Swedish and German. Front cover photo courtesy of Instrumentarium Oy, Metos-Production Kerava (Metos Sisu Sauna Heaters/Metos Sisu Saunaöfen) Back cover photo courtesy of the brewery of Oy Sinebrychoff AB, Helsinki Recorded at Scandia-Studio, Helsinki (C) Scandia-Music Co, Ltd., Helsinki