SAUNA CEREMONY & THE POWERS OF NATURE

with special focus on traditional smoke sauna

Tarina-aho, Kelvänsaari Island, Koli, North Karelia, Finland

 Friday–Sunday, 7-9 August 2026

Sauna Treatments * Traditional Finnish Smoke Sauna  * Spirits of the Trees and Waters

 Guided by Justina Maslauskaite (Lithuania) and Helena Karhu (North Karelia, Finland)

The Sacred Sauna Ceremony: A Journey into Nature, Spirit, and Renewal

Deep within the embrace of the northern wilderness, where ancient forests whisper and clear waters reflect the sky, the sauna stands as a sacred space for transformation. Across cultures and centuries, sauna has been a place of renewal, a gateway where body and spirit are strengthened, healed, and reconnected to the primal forces of nature. Here, fire and water dance in an eternal rhythm, offering a space for profound restoration and communion with the elements.

This sauna retreat invites you to one of the hidden gems of North Karelia region in Finland, in Tarina-aho, which is an incredible place with traditional wooden houses and paradise-like nature. It is located in the middle of the sacred lake Pielinen on the island of Kelvänsaari, where we travel from the harbour of Koli National Park.

 Here, the deep tranquility of lakes and forests creates the perfect setting for a sacred sauna ceremony. Far from the rush of daily life, we will immerse ourselves in silence, tradition, and the wisdom of nature. Pielinen, one of the biggest lakes of Finland, calls us to its shores, where the ancient guardians of water and land—known in Finnish tradition as the lake mothers, or emuut—reside. In their presence, we attune ourselves to the energies of the land, listening to the messages carried by the wind, the stones, and the waters that have flowed for centuries.

A Ceremony Rooted in the Elements

The sauna is more than a place of heat—it is a temple where we meet the elements in their purest forms. Here, the presence of cosmic Water and Fire merge, forming a sacred dance that mirrors the cycles of life. With each breath of steam, we are filled with the energy of the Sun and the healing embrace of Water, awakening our inner wisdom and deepening our connection to the Earth.

Guided by ancient traditions, we will craft a sauna ceremony that honors the spirits of nature and our personal journeys. The land itself offers what is needed for the ritual: the plants that grow in the season, the stones that have held stories for millennia, and the waters that carry the essence of life. These elements, seen and unseen, become part of the ceremony, aligning us with the natural rhythms within and around us. Justina will guide us through this sauna learning and ceremonial process.

The biggest smoke sauna of North Karelia and the focus on smoke sauna elements

It is unforgettable to step into the sacred space of the smoke sauna of Tarina-aho. Justina will offer specialized teaching on how the smoke sauna differs from other saunas concerning ceremonies.

Smoke sauna connects us to the oldest roots of our Northern cultures. The sacred löyly is one aspect of the soul, which is about our life power. Smoke sauna revitalizes our connections to the ancient nature of our soulful life.

Sauna as a Space for Transformation

In the gentle heat of the sauna, transformation unfolds. We cleanse not only our bodies but also our spirits, shedding what no longer serves us and rising anew. Through guided rituals, we will learn to embrace this process, using traditional practices such as herbs, steam rituals, songs, and mindful silence to deepen our experience.

The Traditional smoke sauna providea the perfect settings for these ceremonies, where the ancient interplay of fire, water, and breath opens pathways to renewal. We will listen to the voices of the waters, gather seasonal plants for purification, and allow the elements to work through us. By honoring the traditions passed down through generations, we create a sacred space where healing, connection, and gratitude flourish.

Join Us in the Sacred Sauna Space

This is an invitation to step into a space of peace, silence, strength, and deep connection to nature. In the presence of fire, water, earth, and air, we will remember the wisdom carried by the elements and the spirits that dwell among them. Together, we will co-create a ceremony that echoes the divine process of creation itself—where healing, renewal, and sacred togetherness unfold.

Will you join us in this journey of transformation, where sauna, nature, and spirit merge as one?

What you will learn from this course?

During this retreat-course, you will gain a deeper understanding of sauna as a sacred space and a tool for transformation. Through guided ceremonies, nature immersion, and traditional practices, you will learn to:

• Create a meaningful sauna ceremony (with special focus in the smoke sauna) by incorporating the elements of fire, water, earth, and air.

• Connect with the wisdom of nature by listening to the energies of the land, water, and plants around you.

• Honor the presence of lake mothers and nature spirits, understanding their role in Finnish folklore and how they influence our connection to the environment.

• Use sauna as a tool for personal renewal, allowing heat, steam, and silence to cleanse not only the body but also the spirit.

• Work with seasonal plants and natural elements to enhance the sauna experience and support well-being.

• Embrace stillness and deep listening to develop a stronger sense of self-awareness and inner wisdom.

• Celebrate personal transitions and life events by integrating sauna ceremonies into your daily life.

 Program:

Friday:

• Meeting at 15.00 at Koli Harbour, transfer to the Kelvänsaari Island, and settling in.

• 4:00 PM: Opening fire and circle. Helena shares more about the lake mothers. Drum ceremony to begin our shared weekend.

• Justina starts teachings

• Dinner

Saturday:

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast.

• 9:00 AM: Meditation

• 9:30 AM: Justina teaching about elements and wisdom of Sauna ceremony

• Collecting plants for the evening sauna ceremony. Special flower and herbal waters prepared for the sauna.

• 12:00 PM: Lunch break.

• Crafting sauna whisks and floral wreaths.

• Silent walk along the lakeshore or in the forest.

• Group silence maintained until the sauna ceremony concludes.

• 4:00 PM: Early light meal.

• 5:00 PM: Sauna ceremony.

• Closing with a small gratitude ritual for the lake mothers.

Sunday:

• 9.00 am. Brunch

• 10.00 am. Morning meditation, talking stick circle, reflections on the sauna ceremony. Savor the herbal aromas from the sauna one last time.

• 13.00/14.00 pm. Departure back to the mainland

Is this course for me?

No prior experience or knowledge is required. The retreat is alcohol- and substance-free. Please note that the location requires normal mobility. We work in a small group with a maximum of 12 participants.

Location:

Tarina-aho, Kelvänsaari Island, Koli, North Karelia, Finland

Tarina-aho is a unique accommodation and retreat destination on Lake Pielinen, in the heart of Koli’s national landscape on Kelvänsaari island. The courtyard consists of three traditional log buildings, originally handcrafted in North Karelia and later relocated to Kelvänsaari.

According to the young entrepreneur couple of Tarina-aho:
“Tarina-aho is a place that brings together nature, Lake Pielinen, peace of mind, simplicity, and North Karelian tradition. Arriving at Tarina-aho is like traveling back in time — busy everyday life and worries are left behind on the mainland as you step into the boat.”

More information: https://www.tarinaaho.com/

“No photographs can truly capture the uniqueness and magic of Tarina-aho. It must be experienced. The culture-rich buildings, the two-part smoke sauna, the peaceful location in a sheltered bay, and the magical objects all leave a deep impression.”
— Helena

 Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged in three different buildings within Tarina-aho’s atmospheric courtyard. Guests bring their own bed linens; however, linens can be rented if needed for €15/set (includes sheet, pillowcase, duvet cover, and towel).

You may also choose to stay in your own tent or hammock.

We will also experience the heat of North Karelia’s largest smoke sauna. Sauna bathing and swimming in Lake Pielinen are a wonderful way to relax during Midsummer.

Tarina-aho is a pet-friendly accommodation.

Meals

The accommodation package includes full board, starting with Friday dinner and ending with Sunday brunch. The experiential nature of Tarina-aho extends to the meals prepared by Siiri and Osku. Food is made with special care, and you may experience some of the best retreat meals you’ve ever had. Ingredients are local and high-quality, nurturing us for our sauna ceremonies.

The tables are decorated with wildflowers, and the dining hall is filled with hand-carved wood and Karelian handicrafts — a unique atmosphere and culinary delight! On Sunday, we enjoy a generous brunch together before departure.

How to get there? If not by car, the best way to reach this place by public transportation is to take a train or fly from Helsinki to Joensuu. From here, we will coordinate the car pools/transfers to the Koli harbour, from where we take the boat ride to the island.

I can help you to think about the travel options, if you like. You might like to stay an extra night in Joensuu before/after the retreat, if necessary. We recommend also to visit Koli National Park on your way.

Facilitators/Guides:

Justina Maslauskaite (Lithuania):

The sauna tradition — a profound, world-wide phenomenon especially rooted in Finland and the Baltic countries — is what inspires and attracts Justina most. She sees 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, Justina earned her professional diploma in sauna treatments few years ago.

In her work, she primarily embraces 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. Deeply connected to Nature, Justina spends much of her free time exploring the wild and learning from the wisdom of the land. In recent years, she has also become a teacher of sauna ceremony and the sacred art of touch — both within and beyond the sauna — guiding others in the gentle work of connecting with the human body through presence and care.

This course is created to offer a deeper understanding of the sauna tradition and folk healing. Justina is a psychologist and bodyworker specializing in massage therapy, where she integrates various techniques to meet each person’s unique needs. She is also a practitioner of the Polynesian MA-URI® Healing Arts. For many years, Justina has been interested in indigenous cultures and healing practices, sharing and transmitting the ancient wisdom and heritage of the Baltic tradition.

Helena Karhu
I am a North Karelian teacher of animistic-shamanic traditions, cultural researcher, and tradition keeper with a lifelong connection to sauna culture. The most influential figure in my sauna journey was my late grandmother from Liperi, with whom I have learned about sauna traditions since a very small girl.  I am also a traditional Finnish blood cupping (an ancient Finnish folk healing tradition practiced in sauna) practitioner trained by Sanna-Kaisa “Ratanaula” Ilmarinen. My life’s work revolves around remembering and evolving folk wisdom through my company, Karhun Talo (Bear House) (www.karhuntalo.com).

Registration:

Register to this course by email to: info@karhuntalo.com

Course fee: 299 EUR

Additional accommodation fees: 249 EUR all-inclusive package including boat trips to the Kelvänsaari island from Koli harbour and back, accommodation in shared room and all the meals during the weekend with really wonderful food from local products.

Limited availability for single rooms, +20 EUR/night/person (total 40 EUR for the weekend)

Rent of bed linen and towels, unless you bring your own ones: +15 EUR

For more details, see the participant info letter, which will be sent about 1 month prior to the retreat.

Course fees do not include travel or insurance. Please read Karhun Talo’s booking, cancellation, and liability policies: https://www.karhuntalo.com/booking-and-cancellation-conditions

Wishing everyone a beautiful summer ahead!