The Sauna

Learned something new today …

There are many different traditions surrounding sweat baths all over the world. Most of the tradition around the modern day sauna comes from Finland, a country that has more saunas than cars!

Why the new found knowledge about saunas? Stacy and I decided backpackers deserve pampering every once in a while too so we treated ourselves to a night of relaxation at Kiva Spa & Bathhouse. Every Wednesday night is women’s night – for $20 we enjoyed two luxurious hours spent between the hot tub, sauna, and plunge pool in a beautiful tropical garden setting.

The word “Kiva” comes from the Native Americans called Anasazi from the South West, who built ceremonial lodges called Kivas. The designer of Kiva combined the traditional Finnish sauna with the Native American sweat lodge.

There are many health benefits of sauna. Hydrotheropy is one of the world’s oldest healing rituals using water for pain relief and treating illnesses. These treatments use physical water properties, such as temperature and pressure, for therapeutic purposes, to stimulate blood circulation and treat the symptoms of certain diseases. Various forms of hydrotherapy have been recorded in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations.

Kiva Spa & Bathhouse is located in Mullumbimby, a fifteen minute drive from Byron Bay.