Authentic, high quality wood fired sauna experiences.

Ages 18+

About

Join us for a special event at the sauna! Follow us on social media to learn more about our special event offerings.

You are booking a seat on the bench and unless you book all of those seats, you should expect others will be there.

A Northern Lights host will prepare and maintain the wood burning stove. You get to sit back and relax.

If you haven’t saunaed with us before, no problem. Please arrive 10 minutes early and check in with the sauna host.

What to expect

Northern Lights Sauna is located in the back courtyard at Whitewater Music Hall in downtown Wausau. A parking lot at the front of the music hall is conveniently located just off River Road.

Follow the signs for Northern Lights Sauna and check-in at the front desk.

Please arrive wearing your swimsuit.

Next, the host will show you how to enter the hot room and make recommendations for how long to stay in the hot room. You will cycle through rounds of entering the hot room, cooling down via a combination of cooler air temps and water, resting, and then entering the hot room again. We can’t give you a set number of minutes because every body, mind, and response is different. We will instead give you tips on how to tune in to yourself and know when you need what. Hint: this is a skill that applies to all aspects of your life!

What to wear

While saunas are traditionally taken in the nude, we are definitely still at swimsuit status in the Midwest. We want you to be comfortable, so if you are not comfortable in a swimsuit, shorts/pants and a tank top/shirt is just fine. Please note that metal clasps on suits and jewelry can get hot. Please arrive wearing your suit.

What to bring

• A pair of slip-on shoes/boots • A water bottle • Two towels - If you forget a towel, we will have towels for rent or for sale • A robe for your cooldown rounds, especially as the temps drop

What NOT to bring

Pack light and leave any valuables at home. There are no lockers on-site and limited space for keeping your personal items. Northern Lights is not responsible for any items that are brought with you to your session.

Prepare with hydration

In order to end up feeling good, it is critically important to hydrate before, during, and after your sauna session. We recommend 0.5 liters (16 ounces) of water BEFORE you show up to sauna. Be sure to bring a water bottle with you!

Accessibility

The entrance to the sauna is a series of small steps with a single handrail. The interior of the sauna is an intimate space that requires participants to have the ability to maintain balance while walking into the sauna and getting onto and off of the benches. If you have limited mobility or any concern about your ability to safely navigate steps, uneven surfaces, or benches without handrails, please reach out to us in advance. We are always happy to work together to determine if the space is accessible for you and if modifications can be made. Please contact us if you have questions.

Northern Lights Community Sauna Rules and Guiding Principles

1. This is a safe and welcoming environment for all. You leave your belongings and most of your clothing at the door, and with it you are invited to leave anything else that is not serving you or your community. As the Finnish proverb states, all humans are equal, but nowhere more so than in a sauna. Both you and your neighbors on the sauna bench are worthy of love, dignity, and respect. Remember you are in a shared space.
2. No phones in the sauna! If you want a photo, your sauna host is happy to snap one for you. Most jewelry and hair clips should also be removed before entering the sauna. Rings tend to do fine, but metal necklace pieces on your neck will get too hot to the touch and most other hair clips and accessories will potentially warp.
3. All guests will be required to sit on a towel while in the sauna. No body lotions or oils are to be used on the skin before your session. These measures help maintain the integrity of the sauna surfaces.
4. Absolutely no food is allowed in the sauna. We recommend leaving your water bottle outside of the hot room.
5. Alcohol and sauna do not mix well. Never drink before, and if you choose to drink after, hydrate excessively. Sauna requires a level of awareness that being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs impairs. If you are noticeably under the influence of any kind, you will be asked to reschedule your sauna session to keep yourself and others safe.
6. Close the door after you’ve entered the sauna. Please do not stand half in half out.
7. Take your towel with you after each round and consider selecting a new seat upon re-entry. We want to make sure everyone has a chance to experience different seats in the sauna. It’s good to know that the top bench is considerably hotter than the lower bench.
8. The sauna host is always willing to help answer questions and help you gauge how long to stay in the sauna. That said, you should always exit the sauna if you feel nauseous, lightheaded, or dizzy. Feelings of being “too hot,” mildly to moderately anxious, uncomfortable, or claustrophobic are a welcome opportunity to breathe through and start to modulate that response. Your guide can help.
9. Stay home if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: Cough (new onset or worsening of chronic cough), Shortness of breath, Fever or chills, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Muscle or body aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell. We will work with you to reschedule your sauna session.

Thank you for creating a comfortable and safe space for all.