The 612 Sauna Society honors the heritage of the Nordic countries, and the many immigrants who brought the Sauna and Bastu traditions with them to the upper Midwest.
Once Sauna becomes a part of your lifestyle, you can’t live without it. This is precisely why our co-op raised money to build The Forge mobile sauna, which we’re thrilled to share with the community—this month thanks to the American Swedish Institute. Our residency at ASI is meant to share the many benefits and celebrate the vitality of traditions that continue to inspire and take new forms.
Reservations are open to the public — all are welcome!
Enjoy up to 2 hours of self-guided hot-cold rotations at The Forge. Reservations available for groups up to 7.
$15 Co-Op and ASI Members / $20 -25 Non-Members (non-Member price varies by residency location)
Reservations:
ASI Week 1 – March 3
ASI Week 2 – March 7 to 10
ASI Week 3 – March 14 to 17
ASI Week 4 – March 21 to 24
ASI Week 5 – March 28
ASI Week 6 – April 4 to April 8
WHAT TO KNOW FOR BENCHTIME WITH THE 612 SAUNA SOCIETY
A FEW HELPFUL REMINDERS FOR BENCHTIME WITH THE 612 SAUNA SOCIETY:
- Your reservation is valid for up to 2 hours of benchtime
- Bathing suit (required)
- Water bottle (non-metal)
- Towels (an extra towel for final round and rinse is recommended)
- Potluck Sauna snacks to share (optional)
- Alcohol is not permitted.
- All members and guests are expected to abide by the Sauna Society Code.
SAUNA TIPS
Please arrive hydrated so you can enjoy the full benefits of your time on the bench.
Sauna promotes healthy blood flow by activation of the thermoregulatory system. Practicing full “rounds” will provide the full health benefits. A round consists of 10-20 mins in the hot room (your body will tell you when your time is up), followed by a cool-down period outside. Letting your body cool down between rounds by relaxing and cooling off at the rinse station will increase your circulation and provide the full physical and mental benefit of the experience. A typical sauna session consists of 3-4 rounds of this hot-cold treatment.
Learn more about the health benefits of Sauna here.
AND MORE
** No refunds. Sorry, we are a small staff and simply do not have the bandwidth at this time to process refunds. We’re putting all our bandwidth into creating a superb Sauna experience. We hope you take this as extra incentive to show up and enjoy it! **
The Sauna will be hosted by a trained member of our Stoker Trainee team at all times. If you have further questions about Sauna, The Forge or the 612 Sauna Society, please ask a member of the Stoker Team, or email us at volunteer@612saunasociety.com.
SAUNA FAQ
What is the 612 Sauna Society?
Member-Owners of the 612 Sauna Society Cooperative enjoy and share the Sauna tradition with the Twin Cities by partnering with local businesses and neighborhood organizations to provide reservations at The Forge mobile sauna during the coldest months of the year.
Why Sauna?
The health benefits of Sauna run in every direction.
Stress relief, soothing joint and muscle aches & pains, flushing out toxins, improving the cardiovascular system, burning calories, cleansing the skin and inducing a deeper sleep—just to name a few. One’s personal mental health, comfort, and security are every bit as important as the tremendous physical benefits of Sauna. We endeavor to provide an environment that is conducive to the full range of mental and physical benefits of Sauna.
Why does the Co-op have a Stoker Team?
The Co-op’s reservation schedule is designed to deliver a relaxed but energized level of activity throughout the event space by balancing two priorities:
1.) providing an experience that delivers the full benefits of Sauna and
2.) being strategic and smart about how we’re using the resources of our Co-op.
Our current reservation program reflects these priorities by offering lengthy Sauna sessions (2 hours) with overlapping start times (on the hour). This approach allows us to maximize our reservation capacity in a way that minimizes traffic jams at session start and end times. However, this approach only works if guests are taking full cool-downs between hot rounds. The sauna will be too packed if guests are not spending time in other zone/spaces, which underscores the importance of the Stoker’s role of ensuring a cozy vibe throughout the event space(s).
What kind of Sauna Experience is the 612 Sauna Society endeavoring to share?
While much of what has been created tends to lean on Nordic traditions of cedar lined Saunas, water-bathed rocks, and wood-fired stoves, we remain open to various styles and traditions of Sweat. Whether they be porcelain-tiled Russian Banyas or Turkish baths, Native American willow-bound sweat lodges or Japanese steam baths and mineral pools – we are here to share, learn, grow, and bond through the joy and health inherent in all traditions.
Why a Sauna Co-op?
The 612 Sauna Society Co-op is inventing a new old way of experiencing Sauna: as a community. In doing so, we experience ourselves as a community, adding a social level to the physical and psychological benefits of the Sauna experience.
Can I sauna with the 612 Sauna Society?
Yes – everyone is welcome to sauna with 612 Sauna Society! You can find reservations to sauna on this page. The cost for a 2-hour sauna session is $20 for Non-Members is $20 and $15 for Member-Owners.
Can I become a member or volunteer with 612 Sauna Society?
Yes – visit www.612saunasociety.com/membership to learn more about the benefits of becoming a Member-Owner. For volunteers, we are always looking for individuals to help us out, so send us a line and we’ll get in touch on how you can be a part of the 612 Sauna Society! Email admn@612saunasociety.com and let us know how you’d like to get involved.
Please email AdMN@612saunasociety.com with any questions.
If you’d like to skip the line when you arrive for your reservation, you may sign-in in advance here: SAUNA SIGN-IN.
