Q: What is it?

A: It’s a Low-Heat Sauna that operates at 40-50Celcius instead of 80-90 Celcius like a high-heat Finnish-style sauna.

Q: How does it work?

A: It uses heaters which naturally penetrate your body very efficiently. It penetrates the outer two inches only, and triggers your sweat glands to start functioning before your core body temperature goes up. That means you sweat profusely without feeling hot.

Q: What is the Far Infrared part?

A: Far Infrared is simply the band of the light spectrum where ceramic vibrates. Infrared means “Below Red” or just under the visible light part of the spectrum. Far means it’s at the far end of the infrared spectrum. It’s simply a technical name assigned to the function of the emitters. Basically the ceramic heaters operate the same as glass, or sand which has high silica content. These things reflect Far Infrared waves from the sun naturally, like heat coming through a window even though it’s freezing. Or the way the beach gets too hot to walk on with bare feet, but the grass next to it is cool. It’s a natural process. Water absorbs heat at the far infrared wavelength. If you were to place an ice cube on a ceramic plate, and another ice cube on a plastic plate, the one on the ceramic plate would melt in seconds, but the one on the plastic plate would take 20 minutes. It’s because water receives at the far infrared wavelength. So it’s absorbing room temperature very quickly on the F-I-R waves vibrating from the ceramic. Our bodies are mostly water, so we absorb on the far infrared wavelength too. When you heat the ceramic emitters, the room warms up and our bodies absorb that heat very quickly, and we sweat very efficiently.

Q: How is it different from a “regular” sauna?

A: Traditional Scandinavian style saunas use a high wattage heater, usually 7,000 – 10,000 watts, to heat the air in a small sauna room. When you breathe that air your lungs instantly heat up. Then your heart quickly starts pumping blood out to the extremities in order to trigger the sweat glands and cool down the core body temperature and protect the major organs. It’s a shock reaction. The fast heart rate is why heart patients can’t go into regular saunas. And that heat in the lungs is why asthmatics can’t go in. But they both go safely into a Far Infrared Sauna. A Far Infrared Sauna uses low-wattage heaters. Ideally 200 watts or less. The low wattage means the ceramic stays vibrating in the critical far infrared wavelength. The heat is absorbed by the outer two inches of your body. Your sweat glands are triggered to start working BEFORE THE CORE BODY TEMPERATURE GOES UP. This means you’re sweating before you feel hot.

Q: Why is it better than a “regular” sauna?

A: The high heat saunas shock the cardiovascular system. This was long thought to be good to strengthen the arteries (when used in conjunction with cold water at intervals). But that was really the only benefit. Most people can’t go in a high heat sauna for more than ten minutes. It’s not enough time to sweat significantly. In a high heat sauna the heart is shocked, the skin can go pink due to the fast circulation to the extremities, blood can pool in the ankles, and it is so hot in the lungs that many people complain of a “claustrophobic” feeling, or need to flee. The Far Infrared sauna is such low, soft and comfortable heat that virtually no one is sensitive to it. Even people traditionally advised to avoid sauna, ie. Heart patients, and asthmatics, have actually had their symptoms relieved in these saunas. You can set the temperature as low as 35 C, and leave the window open to ensure cool air in your lungs, but still get warm enough to break a sweat.

Q: Why is all that sweating so good for you?

A: Toxins we accumulate from everyday life are stored in our fat cells. Whatever your body can’t easily eliminate via the liver or the kidneys, it sends off to the fat cells for future elimination via sweat. But since we live sedentary lives and live in a cold climate and spend our summers in air conditioned rooms, we just don’t sweat enough. And since we live in a time of unprecedented chemical exposure, from air, water, and food, we need to assist our toxic elimination via sweating. 

Q: Is it safe?

A: Completely safe. It does not emit dangerous waves like Ultra Violet or Micro waves. Those are on the opposite side of the spectrum. Infra-Red simply means “Below Red” or “invisible” when practically applied to the description. When Campfire embers glow, they glow red, the rocks next to them are hot, but not red. Those are “Infra Red”. It’s a natural process, you’re just heating ceramic and letting the heat absorb into your skin. The heaters are protected by caging that is child-safe to touch. 

Q: Does it heat up the room?

A: No. You can feel the outer walls of a sauna that’s been on for two or three hours and see that it does not get warm on the outside. It’s safe to go onto any floor surface or against any wall.

Q: How often can I use the sauna?

A: As with any form of exercise it is important to build up a tolerance. In the same way, when initially using your Sauna start slowly and increase treatment time and temperature day by day. Use a lower temperature (35C) for about 15-20 minutes 3 times a week initially. Many people once conditioned enjoy daily sessions of up to 35-40 minutes.

Q: How long are the sessions in the sauna?

The sauna is safe anywhere up to about 90 mins. This is a very long time though. Most people start at 15-30min and work up to 40-60min. It all depends on the individual.

Q: What type of ailments does it help?

 Although weight loss from perspiration is quickly regained, sending more blood to the capillaries and converting fats results in as much as 600 calories during one session.  If heavy metals are reduced, this will correct metabolic imbalances that were causing poor digestion and weight gain.  Also, toxins stored in fat are decreased making it easier for weight loss. Some proponents claim that a 15 minute sauna session is as effective for weight loss as rowing or jogging for 30 minutes.
    The improved blood flow to organs and endocrine glands speeds up their metabolic process, increasing caloric burn.
    Because fat becomes water soluble at 110 degrees F, subcutaneous fat can be released along with the sweat and toxins.

and lots more...