SAUNA CEREMONY COURSE

Friday–Sunday, August 15–17, 2025

Kotakylä, North Karelia, Finland

Sauna Treatments * Traditional Finnish Smoke Sauna *  Earth Sauna * Lake Mothers and Guardians

 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 Kotakylä, Juuka, in the middle of the woods and by the beautiful lake Vaikkojärvi. 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. The wilderness lake, Vaikkojärvi, 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.

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 Musta Kyly smoke sauna and Muasauna (Earth Sauna) provide 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?

Video: Helena bringing an offering made of heathers to the Lake Mother of Vaikkojärvi in August 2024.

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 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:

• Arrival anytime between 3:00 PM–5:00 PM.

• 5:00 PM: Opening fire and circle. Helena shares more about the lake mothers. Drum ceremony to begin our shared weekend.

• Justina starts teachings

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:

• Breakfast.

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

• Optional canoeing or kayaking on Vaikkojärvi Lake.

• Departure at your own pace.

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 10 participants.

Location:

Kotakylä, Juuka, North Karelia
Kotakylä is like a hidden world by a wilderness lake, far removed from the stresses of modern life. Here, you can reconnect with your roots and be in direct contact with nature. Accommodations are available in cabins or your own tent.

Kotakylä features a magnificent, hand-carved sauna world with five distinct saunas, including the unique Muasauna and a smoke sauna. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are available.

Address: Kotakyläntie 197, 83900 Juuka, North Karelia, Finland
More info: https://www.kotaloma.com/

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 retreat location. 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.

Course Facilitators:

Justina Maslauskaite (Lithuania):

Sauna tradition and world-wide phenomena especially in Finland and Baltic countries is what interests and attracts Justina most. This wisdom is most beloved way to nurture and improve human's body and soul wellbeing. After years of practicing a ceremonial sauna healing with trees and other plants, last year Justina got a professional diploma for the sauna treatments. She mostly practices and applies traditional elements in Baltic sauna, integrating the ceremonial approach to celebrating life and healing human’s body, mind, spirit. Nature is very important to her, so she spends most of free time exploring the wild and wisdom of the land. For the past few years Justina is a teacher of Sauna ceremony and sacred touch wisdom outside Sauna (e.i. working with the human’s body).

This course is created to share deeper understanding of Sauna and power of healing in a ceremonial way, applying elements of Nature that surrounds us. Justina is a psychologist and bodyworker in massage therapy, where she applies different techniques when working with a person. She is a practitioner of the Polynesian MA-URI® Healing Arts. For years, Justina has been interested in the cultures and practices of indigenous people, and transmits the Baltic cultural heritage and wisdom.

Helena Karhu

I am a North Karelian teacher of shamanism, 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)

Registration:

Email: info@karhuntalo.com

Course fee: 295 EUR (incl. VAT 25.5%)

Additional accommodation fees:

• Two nights in a kota or in your own tent tent: €130/person (incl. VAT).

• Shared double cabin: €160/person (incl. VAT).

Participants are responsible for their own meals. A shared outdoor kitchen with refrigerators is available.

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!