SAUNA CEREMONY AND GIFTS OF NATURE: THE ROOTS
Authorised course program
Metsäkartano, Rautavaara, Finland
Friday–Sunday, 16 -18 July 2027
In this running world full of chaotic surroundings and much noise, Sauna space invites us to stop and look deeper into who we are and where we are going. Through nurturing silence, releasing sweat, moist dark surrounding and our own breath we touch deepest layers of our presence, vulnerability and powerful being one with Nature. Ceremonies and rituals within Sauna for years and centuries belonged to the traditional way of living life experiences, making them visible and celebrated or healed through the magics of Löyly (the sauna steam). I believe that our ancestors were connecting to each element of Nature within the seen and unseen natural world. They were singing and spelling, connecting to healing powers of plants and waters, fires and all that surrounded their spiritual and physical presence.
Nowadays we still consider Sauna as the sacred temple where we encounter the elements of Nature in their purest forms and gifts, that they offer to us – humans. It is so much important to see and discover again that we are also Nature! So how do we meet with Forest, fields and various water sources, do we listen to what we are given, do we understand the language of species and their qualities, that are always present, unconditionally.
In this weekend experience we will learn how to connect with the Gifts of Nature and our own inner resources, together creating a Sauna Ceremony. Through Löyly we will be connecting to our ROOTS, that hold stories of families and generations. Let’s explore the roots of Nature that can teach us to appreciate our own authentic and gifted qualities.
Gathering from different Lands and continents we weave a beautiful garment of Sauna experiences, awaken what was forgotten. Learning to create the Sauna Ceremony will give You a chance to apply this knowledge in your families and communities. When life events happen – happy or sad or painful, achievements or losses – we can gently soothe that and restore the goodness of Life force in each momentum.
The Land itself offers what is needed for the ceremony: plants growing in the current season, stones that have held stories for millennia, and waters that carry the essence of life. All these elements—and more—can become part of each ritual, aligning us with the natural rhythms within and around us.
After this weekend experience a wider and deeper Advanced Sauna healing course will take place on July 20th-25th 2027 at the same beautiful space of Metsäkartano. So if You are willing to have a longer summer adventure and gather a big basket of many instruments and techniques how to be in Sauna, helping yourself and others to bathe and restore, You are kindly invited.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
Price for the whole Sauna Ceremony and the Gifts of Nature course: 299 EUR + accommodation.
Group of 14 participants, minimum 6 participants for the course to happen
Booking confirmation pre-payment is 40 EUR (non-refundable).
Final payment until 2027 May 1st. Additional information about the payment will follow to registered participants.
Please be aware of making Your choice, as the teacher is planning the travel and the program particularly to the group which gathers. It is every time a unique creation.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
The sketch of the program, more detailed one will be shared with participants.
Friday, July 16 th .
16:00 Gathering for the joint meal.
17:00 Opening circle within Sauna steam room!
This means that this time we will create a sacred opening circle using elements of Sauna
ceremony and learn by experience.
Snacks after Sauna and resting.
Saturday, July 17 th
// Morning meditation for our Roots and Resources
// Walk in Nature and solo time to connect with surroundings
// Lecture on the Gifts of Nature and Sauna Ceremony – how we build the potential for
bathing and restoring ourselves.
// Lunch
// Preparing for the Sauna ceremony
// Dinner (light meal)
// Preparation for Sauna, getting ready all elements that were gathered during the day.
// Sauna ceremony for the group guided by Justina
Sunday, July 18 th
Morning Mandala for a chosen tree
Reflections of the Ceremony and discussion
Closing circle and farewell
Facilitator/Guide:
Justina Maslauskaite (Lithuania):
The sauna tradition — a profound, worldwide phenomenon especially rooted in Finland and the Baltic countries — is what inspires and attracts me most. I see this ancient wisdom as one of the most beautiful ways to nurture and restore the well-being of both body and soul. After many years of practicing ceremonial sauna healing with trees and other plants, I earned my professional diploma in sauna treatments. Teaching experiences in Finland, in cooperation with Karhun Talo, have broadened my approaches and deepened the understanding of how we can weave the garment of Sauna beauty all over the world.
In my work, I primarily embrace the traditional elements of the Baltic sauna, weaving them with a ceremonial approach that celebrates life and supports the healing of the body, mind, and spirit. Exploring the connection to Nature, I spend much of my free time in the wild and learn from the wisdom of the land. I created this course to offer a deeper understanding of the sauna tradition and folk healing.
My background for the work is being a psychologist and bodyworker specializing in sacred touch. I am also a practitioner of the Polynesian MA-URI® Healing Arts. For many years indigenous cultures and healing practices are what interests me most, specifically sharing and transmitting the ancient wisdom and heritage of the Baltic tradition of Sauna.
Course location:
We will meet by Tiilikkajärvi National Park in Rautavaara, Finland.
The address of the place is Metsäkartanontie 700, Rautavaara.
The closest airports are Kuopio and Joensuu. The nearest train station is in Nurmes. You can only get there by private cars, but we help each other coordinate rides.
Metsäkämppa is an authentic lumberjacks’ cottage, located 1.5 kilometers from the main building of Metsäkartano (www.metsakartano.com). Built in 1955, the lodge has been modernised with electricity, heating, and running water. It is a very beautiful and safe place in the middle of the woods and by the lake. The traditional and big sauna building is perfect for our sauna healing course. Please notice, that there are no single rooms available; only shared rooms and bunk beds in traditional lumberjack style.
