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New Yorkers Sweat it Out at Brooklyn Sauna Fest
26 Feb
Summary
- The festival featured curated sweat sessions led by skilled sauna masters.
- Aufguss experiences integrate heat, sound, and aromatherapy for attendees.
- Culture of Bathe-ing organization hosted the 18-day event in Brooklyn.
This winter, some New Yorkers found an unconventional escape at Sauna Fest, held in Brooklyn's Domino Park. The 18-day festival, presented by Culture of Bathe-ing and sponsored by Therme Group, offered curated sweat sessions led by expert sauna masters from Europe.
These sessions featured an 'aufguss,' an interactive experience where masters like Adrian Manolache from Therme Bucharest used towels and music to circulate intense heat, ranging from 165 to 194 degrees Fahrenheit. This physically demanding performance, requiring months of training, aims to enhance the sauna experience.
The festival, which ran from February 18 through March 1, included over 250 scheduled aufguss sessions. Attendees also enjoyed sound baths, meditation, traditional banya, and lectures, exploring various aspects of bathing culture.
Robert Hammond, a founder of Culture of Bathe-ing, highlighted how aufguss transforms a difficult sauna session into an enjoyable, communal experience. This unique event brought a taste of European sauna traditions to the New York waterfront.
