Are you among many who enjoy sauna sessions and love their countless wellness benefits? This 360° holistic ritual enhances your sauna experience before and during your session. The ritual combines sauna, dry brushing, and self-massage with aromatherapeutic skincare – creating a true sensory feast for the mind and body when combined.

The Sauna Spa Ritual was created by our founder, Mette Skjærbæk, drawing on her experiences with saunagus* (infusion sauna rituals). Throughout 2024, Mette has co-facilitated numerous saunagus sessions, incorporating ancient rituals such as dry brushing and Ayurvedic-inspired self-massage with aromatherapeutic skincare. This ritual is designed for those looking to enhance their sauna or saunagus experience. It is suitable for use both before and during your time in the heat – as well as in the cold, should sea bathing, cold plunges, or similar activities be part of your journey.

*Saunagus derives from Nordic traditions and has its roots in Scandinavian sauna culture, particularly in Denmark. The term saunagus translates roughly to "sauna infusion" or "sauna steaming." It involves the use of essential oils poured over hot stones to create aromatic steam, combined with guided breathing and sometimes gentle movement or meditation.

Sauna sessions have never been more popular. However, the long waiting lists at the bathing and sauna clubs, particularly in the capital region, have made the experience feel like an exclusive club for the few. That’s why we’re so thrilled to see saunagus gaining serious momentum – a wellness ritual that everyone can take part in. It’s a health trend we believe is here to stay – and one we at Karmameju are especially excited about, given our love for aromatherapy.

· DO YOU shopper bag

· Drinks – find inspiration for infused water here

· One or two body dry brushes – BUFF or RECHARGE

· One or two RENEW face dry brushes

· An ACTIVATE scalp brush

· One or more body and face oils

· Karmameju pantsuit or bathrobe

· Karmameju hammam towel

· Skincare for a possible follow-up bath

Dry brushing is performed on dry skin before entering the sauna. It can be done at home in the bathroom with either BUFF or RECHARGE brushes before heading out. Depending on your sauna surroundings, dry brushing can also be done indoors, outdoors, or in the sauna before it heats up. You can do it standing or sitting, but it’s important that your skin is dry during dry brushing.
If you choose to dry brush in the sauna, please note that only the BUFF dry brush is suitable for use in steam. Do not bring your RECHARGE dry brush into the sauna.

Start your sauna ritual by dry brushing your body from top to toe with your body brush, followed by your chest, neck, and face with the RENEW face dry brush. Some people use one brush, while others prefer dry brushing with two brushes, one in each hand—do whatever feels best for you.

The Karmameju brushing technique involves long, straight strokes toward the heart to stimulate vital body systems like blood circulation, the nervous system, and the lymphatic system.

If you want to learn more about dry brushing, watch our videos: How to dry brush your body and How to dry brush your face.

After dry brushing, you’re ready for the sauna. Whether you enter the sauna with dry or damp skin is entirely up to you, and the rest of your sauna ritual can be performed regardless of whether your skin is wet or dry.

Bring your ACTIVATE scalp brush and your aromatherapeutic oils with you into the sauna. Place the oils on the floor to prevent the glass bottles from becoming too hot. Tip: You can also place them in a bowl of cold water to keep them cool.

Take a moment to “settle” into the sauna before beginning the ritual in the heat. Breathing is perhaps our most essential ally in life. Make it deep, calm, and mindful, and your nervous system will respond positively.

Scalp stimulation and massage
Use the ACTIVATE scalp brush to relieve muscle tension and headaches while boosting energy. The brush removes dead skin cells, excess sebum, styling residue, and impurities, allowing the scalp to breathe and strengthening the hair follicles.

Our self-massage is inspired by the Ayurvedic abhyanga massage. It’s a full-body massage with warm, nourishing oils that invite you to lovingly massage your body. No one knows your body like you do, and when performed in a warm sauna, the sensation is even more delightful.

Facial massage
Dispense a few drops of face oil between your palms, form a cup with your hands in front of your nose, and take deep breaths with your eyes closed. Aromatherapy works both through the sense of smell and via the skin. Massage your face with your fingers, letting them explore areas of tension—these are often found around the jaw and eye area. Apply deeper pressure to stimulate the connective tissue, or use lighter strokes to promote lymphatic drainage. Don’t forget the neck and chest, which we at Karmameju refer to as "The big face." Continue as long as it feels good.

Self-massage on the body
Dispense a few pumps of your preferred aromatherapeutic body oil between your palms, form a cup with your hands in front of your nose, and take deep breaths with your eyes closed. Start from the neck, and scalp if you wish, or begin from the feet and massage your entire body. Take your time.

Choose an aromatherapy blend that suits the sensory effect you wish to enhance:

LOVING aromatherapy:
Uplifts, creates balance, and positivity.
Choose HOPE body oil and GLOW face oil.

CALMING aromatherapy:
Soothes and relaxes the mind.
Choose MILD body oil and HEAL face oil.

ENERGIZING aromatherapy:
Purifies, energizes, and focuses the mind.
Choose WILD body oil.

You can also choose our perfume-free LIGHT face oil for this purpose.

If you use contrast baths/cold water baths in your sauna ritual, there’s no need to worry about washing away the beneficial oils, as they will remain on the skin after contact with water. Oil on damp skin is a great combination.

If you’re looking for inspiration for self-massage, we’ve written an article about it here.

We hope you enjoy the most wonderful sauna rituals. Feel free to share them with us on Instagram using #karmamoments – we love it when we inspire each other. And remember…

Our skin has around 4 million touch receptors.
In other words, 4 million reasons to love the skin we’re in.

Enjoy!