Most Finnish sauna enthusiasts bathe in their birthday suits, seated on a folded towel. Some switch their bodies with birch branches to stimulate circulation and open pores; all shower after (and sometimes in between) sauna sessions. A complete sauna experience may involve an initial shower, two or three 5- to 10-minute sessions in the hot room, and then a shower afterward.

The word "sauna," pronounced "sow (like cow) nah," is Finnish for bath or bath house; it is both process and place. Today, the traditional sauna is a compact, softwood-lined room with wooden benches and a special stove or heater ("kiuas").

Rocks arranged on and inside the heater are an essential part of the true Finnish sauna; they provide a very even, consistent heat that normally ranges from about 165 to 195 degrees F. Ladling water over these hot stones produces a humidifying vapor ("loyly") that is the essence of a traditional sauna' sometimes given a natural fragrance, this steam helps to open pores.

The bathing process is relaxing and refocuses and cleanses the body from the inside out by releasing impurities through perspiration. As the skin warms, blood vessels dilate, encouraging blood flow and opening sweat glands. Oils, dirt and impurities--including toxins such as nicotine, mercury, and lead'are drawn to the surface. A shower washes them away.

Of course, many people sauna (the word is also a verb) simply because it feels great. When our bodies are surrounded by heat, endorphins--a class of hormones that create a feeling of well being--are secreted by the pituitary gland, giving us a natural high. Warmth also soothes muscles, relieving aches and pains. And people tend to sleep better after a sauna. A 10- to 20-minute sauna increases the heart rate, providing a similar metabolic result to mild exercise.

A Finnish sauna may offer both dry and moist heat. When using a heater without added moisture, the humidity is only about 12%, which is too dry for some people. If that's the case, water can be poured on the heated stones to bring humidity up to about 24 to 28 percent. Even though this is still a relatively low humidity, one's body senses the moisture more because of the heat. Doing this makes pores open quicker. And it helps a person to breathe easier.