Finnish Sauna Part IV: Löyly

Löyly, also translated to sauna steam is an act where the bather throws water into the hot sauna stones. The steam vapor which it creates clears the air in the sauna and also opens the skin pores of the bathers.

In Finnish folklore it is believed that taking löyly is relaxing and that there are many health benefits attached to it.

In many Finno-Ugric languages there is a specific word for löyly usually meaning ”spirit” or ”soul”.

Sound, photo, video: Antti Makkonen