What is Aufguss? The German Sauna Ritual Explained
If you have ever visited a sauna in Germany, Austria, or Scandinavia, you may have witnessed something that looks part ceremony, part performance, and part endurance challenge. That is Aufguss (pronounced "OWF-gooss") - and it is one of the most immersive wellness experiences you can have.
The Basics: Water, Heat, and Mastery
At its core, an Aufguss is a sauna infusion ritual. A trained sauna master (Saunameister) pours water mixed with essential oils onto the hot sauna stones. As the steam erupts, the sauna master uses a large towel to distribute the hot, aromatic air throughout the room in controlled waves.
This is not a casual activity. Professional Aufguss masters train for months or years to perfect their technique. The towel movements - ranging from gentle breezes to powerful gusts - are choreographed to music and designed to create an experience that is simultaneously relaxing and intensely physical.
Why Aufguss is Different From Just "Going to the Sauna"
Sitting in a sauna on your own is pleasant. But Aufguss elevates the experience in several ways:
- Aromatherapy: Premium essential oils (eucalyptus, pine, citrus, lavender) create a sensory experience that ordinary sauna sessions cannot match.
- Intensified heat: The towel-waving pushes hot air directly at guests, raising the perceived temperature significantly. Your body responds with deeper sweating and more efficient detoxification.
- Community: An Aufguss is a shared event. Everyone in the sauna goes through the experience together, creating a unique sense of connection.
- Structure: A typical session runs 10-15 minutes with multiple rounds of infusions, each building in intensity.
The Health Benefits
Beyond the experience itself, Aufguss delivers measurable wellness benefits. The combination of extreme heat and essential oil vapors promotes deep muscle relaxation, improves circulation, and supports respiratory health. Studies have shown that regular sauna use - especially with infusion sessions - can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve immune function.
Paired with cold exposure like an ice bath, the contrast between extreme heat and cold triggers a powerful recovery response that many athletes and wellness practitioners swear by.
Aufguss in Thailand: A Rare Find
Aufguss culture is deeply rooted in Central Europe, but finding an authentic experience in Southeast Asia is extremely rare. Most saunas in Thailand are basic dry or steam rooms without any structured programming.
At Hera Sauna in Pattaya, we brought the Aufguss tradition to Thailand. Our daily sessions at 13:00, 14:00, 16:00, and 19:30 are performed by trained sauna masters using premium essential oils imported from Europe. It is Thailand's only event sauna - and the sessions are included in the standard entry fee of 220 Baht.
What to Expect at Your First Aufguss
If you have never experienced an Aufguss, here is what to know: arrive 5 minutes before the session starts, take a seat on the benches (higher rows are hotter), and stay for as long as you are comfortable. There is no shame in leaving early if the heat becomes too intense - that is completely normal for first-timers.
After the session, cool down with a cold shower or take the full contrast experience with our ice bath. Then relax on the loungers or visit our restaurant for a post-sauna meal. That is the complete Aufguss experience - and once you try it, a regular sauna will never feel the same again.
Ready to experience authentic Aufguss in Pattaya? Visit us at Hera Sauna - no reservation needed.