Aufguss is a multisensory sauna ritual, translating to “pour” in German, in which an aufgussmeister pours scented water over hot stones and fans a towel to circulate the aroma and heat throughout the room. It is more than just a wellness practice, but it is an art form. There are six main elements to this art: heat, lighting, music, essential oils, towel work, and style. Upon entry, the sauna was lit with gradient LEDs from purple to orange, emulating a desert sunset. And like the desert, a heatwave fogged the room. Within minutes, bodies were sleek with a layers of sweat. Snowballs of essential oil-infused ice awaited to be plummeted against the hot stones and submerged with hot water.
As the aroma took over the room, the aufgussmeister began their artistry with towel work, swirling it around like a baton flag twirler. As the scent overrode the olfactory sense, the aufgussmeister made their way around to blast heat over you, your cells would tingle all over then fall into a somesthetic submission. The range of ambient and tranquil-inducing music dominated the auditory senses, eradicating troubling thoughts and in place prompting a spiritual reflection. It was a distinctive type of high, like the mind wanted to start hallucinating yet remained very grounded. It was paradoxically relaxing and challenging.
After the sauna, the heart rate slows, so breathing exercises (“controlled hyperventilation" as Lauren calls it) prepare it for the next extremity: the cold plunge. The pool awaited, radiating a frosty blue. After the intense heatwave simulation, one would be ready to plunge into the icy bath, but just a moment longer and one could imagine how hypothermia must feel. The heart rate shoots up, the body paralyzes and shakes, thoughts are racing. But with controlled breathing and determination, the self will reach a serene stillness. Once out, all of appendages and blood feel as though they've been replaced, pulsating with a supercharged vitality. There is a power in overcoming the difficult conditions of the sauna. The experience ended in Lore’s changing rooms generously equipped with showers, towels, dryers, and Herbivore body serums and oils.
After such an extremist simulation, one left glowing and radiant. Not only visibility, but internally, you feel enlivened. What was already a nice day outside feels like the first day ever, life feels brand new, you feel restored, awakened to human possibility. Experience for yourself in a session during off-peak hours.
