Sauna Training
Professional sauna training at Elie and St Andrews, taught by internationally accredited practitioners.
Foundation Training In Latvian Sauna Traditions for Sauna Hosts & Operators
How To Host A Sauna Session - The Baltic Tradition Of Sauna Hosting - with Latvian Sauna Healer Monika Kalvins
LOCATION:
ST ANDREWS SEASIDE SAUNA
DATE & TIME:
12th & 13th August 2026
Pricing and Availability
£290 pp including lunch both days
8 places available
Who is this course for?
This course is for you and your team. If you are new to operating saunas, or want to learn about the traditions of holding and managing the sauna space, from a Latvian Sauna Healer, this 2-day course is for you.
This two-day course introduces the foundational elements of sauna space holding and the art of leaf whisking.
- Day 1: Spirit of Sauna – Covers sauna basics, holding space in a sauna, the practical use of steam, and contrast therapy. We explore sauna from a background of Baltic sauna traditions and mythology, and weave them with local knowledge and practices.
- Day 2: Spirit of Trees – Focuses on the foraging, crafting and care of sauna whisks. Participants learn the holistic benefits of whisking, and apply them.
Each day includes practical, peer-led group discussions and sauna sessions in Scottish Seaside Saunas, St. Andrews Seaside Sauna, on East Sands Beach, St. Andrews.
The course is led by Mon Kļaviņs, a Latvian sauna practitioner trained at Pirts Skola in Latvia. Mon works on integrating their ancestral healing practices with a trauma-informed approach, and has a keen interest in the intertwining of mythology and land.
This training is open to both sauna enthusiasts and professionals looking to learn the practical skills and cultural responsibilities of group sauna facilitation.
The aim of the course is to build a solid foundation of good sauna practice, how to care for the sauna, your guests and yourself and how to respect sauna practice.
About Monika Kalvins
Mon is passionate about making meaningful connections and people thinking creatively together.
Mon says:
"Plants inspire me every day and my life has been intertwined with learning from plants in the past few years, when I became more passionate about foraging and worked as an assistant distiller."
Introduction to Saunotus & Herbal Sauna The Finnish Way For Sauna Practitioners & Operators
How To Lead A Guided Sauna Session – The Nordic Tradition of Guiding A Sauna Session – with Finnish Sauna Guide, Laura Foon
What is Saunotus?
Saunotus is a guided multisensory sauna ritual rooted in Finnish cultural heritage. It brings ancient sauna traditions to life through mythology, ritual singing, natural treatments, scents, heat and löyly – the steam and the spirit of the sauna.
LOCATION:
ELIE SEASIDE SAUNA
DATE & TIME:
7th, 8th & 9th September 2026
Pricing and Availability
£545 pp including lunch each day, plus written and audio training materials
8 places available
Who is this course for?
This course is for people operating in the sauna world, but from all sorts of backgrounds. We welcome practitioners working in the traditional leaf-whisking practices, but also Aufguss Sauna Masters, academics, working in sauna-related research, sauna operators and hosts, wanting to extend their knowledge. This course does require some prior knowledge of working in the field of sauna and is not aimed at beginners, but at those wishing to extend their understanding of collective sauna culture, or develop their practice.
This three-day course introduces the Saunotus, Herbal Saunas and How to Guide A Sauna Session using Finnish Traditional Practices.
Day 1 – Foundations of Saunotus
Experience a guided Saunotus ritual
The ABCs of guiding a session and hosting a group
Introduction to the first löyly ritual
Day 2 – Temple of the Forest
Connect with local nature through foraging
Learn how to prepare herbs and plants for sauna rituals
Forest bathing and herbal sauna experience
Day 3 – Hosting a Saunotus
Facilitating the sauna space and creating ambiance
Practice hosting and facilitating a group experience
You will leave with the skills and the confidence to lead group sauna rituals, using herbal löyly, birch vihta, as a sauna guide, practical skills in picking herbs, their preparation and how to use them to engage all the senses, in the sauna, along with guiding sauna meditation, learning about the meaning of löyly, from a traditional Finnish sauna practitioner, who operates the heritage sauna in Finland.
You will learn about the meaning of Herbal Löyly and how it can shift the atmosphere, with an introduction to herb fusion, mood-setting and silent ritual practices.
The aim of the course is to foster creativity and collective learning. It will give established sauna practitioners from all fields an opportunity to work together and learn from each other.
About Laura Foon
Laura is one of the founders of Sipoonjoki Sauna, known as The Heritage Sauna, located in the countryside NE of Helsinki. Laura sees herself as a caretaker of Finnish Sauna Traditions and Heritage.
Laura says:
“The past couple of generations in Finland citizens have denied their roots. But, technology has neither brought us happiness nor belonging, while traditional sauna treatments and folklore wisdom have stood the test of time and contribute to a feeling of joy and communal belonging.”
She continues, “When you remove your clothing in the sauna, you remove all your burdens and sweat away pain, stress and worries. Sauna is a sanctuary for caring and sharing that begins in the forest.”
Laura produces and presents The Spirit of The Sauna Podcast, on Spotify:
CERTIFIED AUFGUSS SAUNA MASTER TRAINING
with, Aufguss UK Judge and British Sauna Society Director, Deborah Carr, of Anada Spa
LOCATION:
ELIE SEASIDE SAUNA
DATE & TIME:
9th, 10th & 11th November 2026
Anada Spa’s Sauna Master Training is the only CERTIFIED Sauna Master Training in The UK, currently.
On this course, you'll learn all the skills to create your own Sauna rituals.
Scottish Seaside Saunas are thrilled to be offering the first Scotland Certified Sauna Master courses at The Harbourmaster at Elie Seaside Sauna.
The Anada Foundation Sauna Master course is a fun and engaging start to learning the wonderful art of Sauna Aufguss. This full program is accredited and certified by The Beauty Guild and endorsed by HABIA, this ensures emerging Sauna Masters will leave with the confidence, knowledge and expertise to create their Aufguss programs and Sauna ritual.
This 3 day course includes education and knowledge in all areas of:
- Understanding of sweat bathing cultures
- Science and benefits of thermal therapies
- Health and safety protocols
- Elements of a Sauna ritual
- Essential Oils and Aroma
- Equipment and tools
Practical Elements
- Working with heat and steam
- Learning and understanding towel techniques
- Crafting aromatics
- Creating a sauna ritual
AUFGUSS ADVANCED
with, Aufguss UK Judge and British Sauna Society Director, Deborah Carr, of Anada Spa
LOCATION:
ELIE SEASIDE SAUNA
DATE & TIME:
12th & 13th November 2026
This hands-on workshop is designed for Sauna Masters who want to become true experts in the art of sauna and Show Aufguss. Learn advanced techniques, gain valuable insights, and discover the secrets to creating the ultimate show Aufguss performance.
Perfect for practising Sauna Masters and participants of the UK Aufguss Championships.